BANGKOK, 27 February 2013 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung reaffirmed that the government was ready to talk with all factions in order to solve the problems in the Deep South, but it will not accept conditions such as separatism.
Police Captain Chalerm asserted he will visit the southern border area after the Bangkok gubernatorial election. He said he was not rushing to go down south because intelligence indicate some groups were preparing to conduct chain bombings at 40-50 spots in the wake of his visit. This was believed to be politically-motivated, a “political explosion” that was being prepared to discredit him.
Pol. Capt. Chalerm also said he was ready to discuss the solving of the southern unrest with the Democrat Party, and specifically with party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Democrat MP for Songkhla province Thawon Senniam.
He indicated he has not been contacted by any party for such discussion.
The deputy prime minister added that the February 28 visit to Malaysia by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would not be for facilitating a mediation of the situation by using Malaysia as the middleman in negotiating with the unrest instigators.
