BANGKOK, March 5 – Thailand’s army chief today called on the public to refrain from pressuring the government in its effort to resolve the southern crisis and its initiated peace talks with militant groups.
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha was apparently referring to skepticism on an agreement between the Thai National Security Council (NSC) and a Muslim insurgent faction of the underground Barisan Revolusi Nasional movement.
“We should not get involved in conflicts ourselves. The NSC works in accord with the government’s assignment. We have to wait and see if it will be successful,” he said. “Now that we have taken the step, we must move on. The strategy is set by the government. Let’s take it easy and wait.”
Asked whether it’s acceptable if Muslim insurgents demand that the southern region be designated as a “special administrative zone,” Gen Prayuth said the government has made it clear that separatism and violence are unacceptable.
“Whether Thailand’s South will become a special administrative zone depends on the government which will have to thoroughly study the insurgents’ justifications,” he said.
“Don’t talk about matters that have yet to happen. Don’t put pressure (on the government) so that we can ponder the issue.”
