Government Prepared for Fresh Negotiations on Peace in the Southern Regions
Fresh Approach:
Thailand's Government Sets Sight on Peace Talks to Calm Southern Unrest
The Thai government has signaled its readiness to negotiate with the insurgents aiming to bring an end to the years-long violence plaguing the deeply troubled southern regions.
Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who is also a deputy premier, addressed the prevailing chaos in the Southernmost provinces, expressing sympathy towards both Muslim and Buddhist victims.
He strongly condemned the senseless attacks on ordinary people, including monks, kids, and the elderly, branding them as inhumane. Yet, he underlined the government's eagerness to engage in meaningful conversations.
Phumtham's proclamation comes following an agreement between former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim, under which a Malaysian moderator would facilitate peace discussions. This accord was established during Paetongtarn's visit to Malaysia last year.
Phumtham confirmed that he had indeed met with the appointed Malaysian facilitator, yet stressed that the Thai government refuses to negotiate with any perpetrator of violence. A visible reduction or clear evidence that the violence will cease is essential for any talks to materialize.
The proposed negotiations will occur within the constraints of the Thai constitution and monarchy, ruling out any possibility of a separate Pattani state.
The government also emphasizes its preparedness to order proactive measures from the military, police, and local authorities to ensure security in volatile areas. Phumtham clarified that these "proactive operations" focus on enhanced security, swift response times, and a visible presence to safeguard civilians.
He underscored the significance of coexistence between the two religious communities, citing historical instances where they lived peacefully together. He also welcomed discussions on local self-governance, provided it falls within Thailand's constitutional boundaries.
Phumtham urged all parties to be truthful and reasonable in addressing the conflict's root causes.
Meanwhile, Sunai Phasuk, a senior Thailand researcher for Human Rights Watch, suspected the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu-Patani (BRN) of orchestrating the recent surge of bloodshed. In a published commentary, Sunai stated that the BRN leverages civilian casualties to exert pressure on the Thai government, as the attacks appear to be indiscriminate.
However, the BRN denied involvement in assaults on civilians in Pattani and nearby areas. In a statement, they declared, "Our mission aims for the independence and dignity of Pattani. We have no policy to target innocent civilians."
Prime Minister Paetongtarn has ordered multiple agencies to implement stringent measures while condemning all forms of violence.
- Phumtham, as both a deputy premier and the Defense Minister, has reaffirmed the Thai government's humanitarian stance in securing peace talks to address the long-standing violence in the southernmost provinces, which is particularly relevant to general news, crime, and justice, and war-and-conflicts sectors.
- The proposed peace talks under the Malaysian moderator's facilitation will be conducted with the agreement of the Thai constitution and monarchy, ensuring politics maintains a central role in the negotiations.
- Phumtham's recent meetings with the appointed Malaysian facilitator, the declared denial of involvement in civilian attacks by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu-Patani (BRN), and the necessity of clear evidence of violence reduction for talks to materialize, all contribute to the ongoing humanitarian, political, and security discourse.
- The Thai government has affirmed its intentions to carry out proactive operations involving the military, police, and local authorities to secure the volatile southern regions, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding innocent civilians, which is a key concern in the domains of crime, justice, and human rights.
