BRN was not represented in previous peace talks
It now appears to be quite clear that the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist group was not represented in the previous peace talks in Kuala Lumpur between the Thai government and separatist groups led by Hassan Taib which was brokered by Malaysia as the facilitator.
Even some core members of Mara Patani, an umbrella organization of six groups of government opponents formed recently to hold peace talks with the government, have admitted that the arm wing of the BRN widely known as the BRN Coordinate is not represented in Mara Patani.
Isra news agency recently talked to a former BRN member from Pattani about the actual demands of the BRN from the government; the root causes of the insurgency problem in the Deep South; peace talks with the government among others.
The followings are the extract of the exclusive interview.
The BRN wants justice, in particular just treatment towards the Malay people by state authorities; education and jobs for the people in the restive region and a fair allocation of government jobs for Malay people or Thai Muslims.
Krue Se and Tak Bai massacres are regarded by the BRN as a symbol of extreme injustice rendered against the Malay people by the government.
It is not true that every time suspected militants were killed by security forces, the BRN militants would launch revenge attack against Thai Buddhists. There are other armed groups in the region besides the BRN and other separatist groups and armed drug traffickers are believed to be responsible for several violent incidents. Only 15 percent of the violent incidents which occurred down there were actually perpetrated by separatist groups, BRN Coordinate in particular.
The Thai Muslims want the demands once made by the late Haji Surong Tohmeena to the Thai government. The demands include government’s recognition of the culture and religion of the Thai Muslims, fair allocation of tax revenue for the region and fair sharing of government jobs for the local Thai Muslims. All of these demands have never been realized.
Injustice in various dimensions is the real root cause of the rebellion against the government by the Thai Muslilms. White skeleton is better than cowardice which means it is better to die fighting for justice than being a coward.
BRN has refused to join the peace process with the government because the group does not trust the government that it will respond to their demands or honour its words given to the separatist groups.
It is pointless to join Mara Patani which is mainly consisted of groups of people residing in Malaysia. If the government really wants peace it should talk with the people living in Thailand, in the three southernmost provinces not those living in exile abroad.
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Caption : Former BRN member from Pattani