BANGKOK, 27 June 2013 Malaysia has forwarded the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) group’s official demand to the secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), and Thai authorities are expected to take 3-4 days to evaluate it before giving their response.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung on Wednesday met with Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center secretary-general Thawi Sodsong and National Security Council secretary-general Pharadon Phatthanathabut, and discussed the BRN’s 7-point demand, which was earlier released on YouTube. According to Police Captain Chalerm, he personally remains firm on his earlier stance of not accepting the proposal, especially the clause that calls for the prime minister to sign her acceptance of the proposal. He also viewed that the new demand was tabled only with an aim to draw support among members of the separatism movement in Thailand’s Deep South.
NSC chief Pharadon Phatthanathabut said it would take about 3-4 days for him to discuss the BRN’s demand with related agencies, before providing an answer whether any of the condition are acceptable.
Lieutenant General Suraphon Phuen-aiyakan a former secretary-general of the NSC, viewed that the peace dialogue with the BRN was a step in the right direction, and that the government’s turning down of the new demand would not prompt the BRN to call off the talks. He also believed the peace dialogue would contribute to a reduction of violent incidents in the southern border provinces in the month of Ramadan.
Meanwhile,violence continued in the Deep South on Wednesday with an explosion aimed at soldiers patrolling in Phron sub-district of Mueang district, Yala province. The explosion, which targeted a patrol unit from Yala Task Force 16 that was ensuring security on routes traveled by teachers, injured 2 soldiers.
In Pattani, 3 soldiers and 1 civilian were injured in a fire exchange between security personnel and insurgents who had detonated a bomb onto the officials before the fire fight. The incident occurred in Ban Paku of Thung Yang Daeng district.
