Informal peace talks make headway as Malaysia-brokered peace talks stalled

While there is still no progress on the Malaysia-brokered peace talks between the Thai government and separatist groups, informal peace talks between local government officials and government opponents are making headway. 

          Hosted by the forward command of the Internal Security Operations Command, more than 400 government opponents most of whom living in Malaysia joined the talks held at the gymnasium of the 151st infantry regiment inside the Kalayaneewattana barrack in Narathiwat’s Muang district on June 15.  Co-chairing the talks were Lt-GenNoppawong Suravichai, commander of the 4th army corp, and Datos from Kelantan and Trengganu states of Malaysia.

          The peace talks are part of the "Back to the Embrace of Ramadan Kareem" programme aimed to persuade Malay Muslims who are taking refuge in Malaysia to join the talks and to return home in southern Thailand.

          During the talks, these government opponents presented several opinions and proposals which could be summed up as follows:

          -    One imam proposed that those who turned themselves in or who reported themselves to the government should be fairly treated and their safety guaranteed and they should be given permanent jobs.  Also, the government should attach importance to religious leaders and community leaders;

          -    Those who are taking refuge in Malaysia complained that government officials made too many visits to Malaysia causing suspicion among them.  They suggested the government to better screen information about violent incidents which they claimed might be caused by personal conflicts and not politically motivated;

          -    It was suggested during the meeting that a special zone or a cooperative should be set up to accommodate the returnees from Malaysia;

          -    Government support to help widows and orphans from the violence in the Deep South;

          -    A woman whose husband was given 12 years jailterm by the Supreme Court has demanded the revocation of specials laws and retrial of several cases which she claimed were not fairly tried;

          -    Those who are taking refuge in Malaysia have wanted formal peace talks to be held in Thailand instead of in Malaysia.

          During the talks, Lt-Gen Noppawong told the participants that he was confident that peace would be restored through peaceful means and gave assurance that the government was sincere in solving the unrest problem.

          During the fasting month of Ramadan, Lt-Gen Noppawong assured that those who are facing arrests issued by virtue of special laws or the Criminal Procedure Code would be issued with official papers guaranteeing that they would not be arrested or held in custody during the Ramadan.  However, after the Ramadan they must go through the legal process.

          The general said he welcomed those living in Malaysia who wanted to come home during the Ramadan and called on all segments of the society to help resolve the unrest problem together.

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Caption : Kalayaneewattana barrack