Gen Thanasak’s visit to Jakarta will help clear the air about KL’s facilitator role in southern peace talks

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thanasak Patimaprakorn met recently with Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla in Jakarta during his visit to Indonesia to participate in the swear-in ceremony of newly-elected President Joko Widodo. 

          Although it was a chance meeting and the brief talk between the two men was just a matter of courtesy, according to an informed source in the Foreign Ministry, some Indonesian media, including Jakarta Post, reported in such a way that the talk touched on the unrest in southern Thailand and that Thailand would like to ask Indonesia for help.

          It should be noted that Mr.Jusuf Kalla once played a role in facilitating peace talks between Thai government officials and separatist groups during the tenure of former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej six years ago.

          Veteran observers of the southern unrest problem have suspected General Thanasak’s recent visit to Indonesia and meeting with Mr.Kalla might have caused unease to Malaysia which has been acting as the "facilitator" for the peace process and, hence, Kuala Lumpur’s postponement of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha’s planned visit to Malaysia.

          Also, it was suspected that Malaysia might not be comfortable with the speculated appointment of General Aekanit Mouensawat as the chief Thai negotiator for the peace talks.  In the end however, General Aksara Kerdphol, chief advisor of the army, was given the post.

          Lately on October 29, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha reaffirmed the government’s wish for Kuala Lumpur’s to carry on with its role as the facilitator.

          Several Thai security officers and academics familiar with the southern unrest problem have preferred Indonesia to Malaysia for the role of the facilitator because Indonesia does not share common border with Thailand and does not benefit from the talks.

          Earlier, Dr.Surakiart Sathirathai, former foreign minister and chairman of Asia Peace and Reconcilation Council, al pointed out the cooperation from Malaysia and Indonesia was necessary if the unrest problem was to be resolved. However, he admitted that it might be awkward for Indonesia to play a role as another facilitator because the previous government had already sought the help from Malaysia and also Malaysia might feel offended.

          General Thanasak was quoted to have said on October 28 that officials concerned had been trying to arrange for the resumption of peace talks which could start immediately if the two conflicting parties are ready.

          Meanwhile, Army Commander-in-Chief General Udomdej Seetabutr has indicated that the government would not accept the five-point demand unilaterally set by the Barisan Revolusi Nasionale (BRN) for instances the demand for a special administration zone for the Deep South and the right to self-determination.

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Caption : General Thanasak Patimaprakorn

Thanks : Photo by Nation Photo Center