BANGKOK, 12 September 2012 – Around 100 former separatists in the South have surrendered and submitted a letter to the army asking for clearer solution and more effective tactics in solving the southern unrest.
Former member of the group calling themselves Badan Penyelarasan Wawasan Baru Melayu Pattani have declared that they have stopped fighting against the authority in the Deep South. Led by Waeali Copter Waji or Jeh Ali, a group of around 100 former rebels submitted an open letter to Fourth Army Commander Lt Gen Udomchai Thamsarorach, urging the government to find appropriate measures to deal with those on wanted list, clarify its conflict-solving policies, and boost confidence of the local people.
Lt Gen Udomchai said the former separatists are brave warriors, whose opinions are different from the government’s. He stated that the group suggested to him that using weapons to respond to the insurgent groups is not appropriate as everyone is Thai.
Meanwhile, Army Commander-in-chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha welcomed the group’s move to surrender, saying it would lead to the surrendering of more rebels.
