KAMPHAENG PHET, June 10 – Thai security officials will reiterate the government’s demand for reducing the violence in Thailand’s deep South in their peace talks with some leaders of the southern separatist movement on Thursday, a senior official said today.
Paradorn Patanatabut, National Security Council (NSC) secretary general, said the Thai authorities wanted to know who was behind the spate of attacks in Thailand’s southern border provinces in recent months and the real reasons behind the escalating violence.
He said the NSC has discussed with civic and youth groups in the South to garner information and their feedback to support the peace dialogues.
There were differences of opinion and a lack of understanding due to the language barrier, he said, adding that security officials would hold more discussions with civic groups.
Lt Gen Paradorn will lead a Thai security delegation for the third round of peace talks with Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) leaders in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. High Malaysian government officials are facilitating the talks.
The NSC chief is in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet to join the cabinet meeting.
