BANGKOK, May 6 – The return to power of the former Malaysian coalition government will be favourable for the ongoing peace dialogue between the Thai government and a southern Muslim insurgent group, said a senior Thai security official on Monday.
National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabut commented after the Malaysian election results showed that the Barisan Nasional coalition led by incumbant Prime Minister Najib Razak won the country’s 13th general election on Sunday.
The Malaysian government is playing a major role as a facilitator for the peace talks between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) and the talks have been held in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
Gen Paradorn said the election result will be favourable for the peace talks to proceed as scheduled as the previous Malaysian government had clear policy to support and facilitate the peace process.
After the neighbour’s new government is formed, Gen Paradorn said Thailand will seek confirmation on the facilitation of the next round of peace talks.
As the next negotiation is set for June 13, the NSC chief said Thailand adheres to the same standpoint which is the reduction of violence in deep South.
He said he will also seek clarification from the BRN representatives on the possibility in the participation of other militant groups in the peace process.
However, Gen Paradorn said, regarding the BRN’s five-point demands, Thailand has assigned the King Prachadhipok’s Institute to organise a forum in far South to voice opinions from local residents.
Meanwhile, Pattani governor Pramuk Lamoon reported that seven local administration offices were set afire on Sunday.
Damage varied as local residents were able to extinguish the flames quickly after fires broke out but at other locations fire safety workers could not access the areas as spikes were spread along the road to the blazes.
The governor said investigations are underway to determine whether the fires were set by insurgent groups to create yet another daily disturbance or were the result of local political conflicts as the local election is approaching.
