PATTANI, 8 May 2013 The National Security Council has asserted that talks with the BRN separatist group must continue although their results cannot yet be evaluated.
National Security Council Secretary-General Pharadon Phatthanathabut indicates that despite an evaluation on the success of the talks not yet feasible, the sporadic insurgent attacks in the Deep South made known the fact that there was a diversity in the number of separatist groups active in the area. He said this knowledge will aid in the solving of the insurgency problem. He added that the election victory by the current administration in Malaysia will also benefit the continuation of Thailand’s talks with the BRN.
On Tuesday, the permanent-secretary of Mayo sub-district municipality, Thiralak Suwannarat, was shot in a restaurant in Mueang district of Pattani province by a group of men who stormed into the venue and shot him point-blank. Mr. Thiralak died while being rushed to hospital. Security officials were determining whether the attack was motivated by personal conflicts or was an act aimed at adding fire to the southern insurgency.
