BANGKOK, April 7 — Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa on Saturday rejected a claim made by the opposition Democrat Party that fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has held secret talks with Thailand’s southern insurgency group.
Gen Yuthasak has challenged the oppositon Democrat Party to present evidences to support their claim.
The opposition Democrat MPs for southern border provinces of Songkhla Thaworn Senneam and of Yala Prasert Pongsuwan as citing informed sources as saying that Thaksin recently spoke with the Pattani United Liberation Organisation (PULO) in a neighbouring country.
The insurgent movement, however, rejected the ousted premier’s offer of money in exchange for an end to the eight-year insurgency in Thailand’s southern border region. The failed talks reportedly led to recent violence which has rocked the region.
They also asked the government to investigate the PULO website where Mr Thaksin was said to be pictured embracing its leader.
Gen Yuthasak said that there was no pictures, photos or any talks with insurgents, and the Democrats should show evidence.
He said Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) Secretary-General Pol Col Tawee Sodsong has also affirmed that there was no talks and the government has a clear policy not to hold talks with insurgent groups.
He said there were not more than six insurgent groups that opererated in the southern provinces.
Gen Yuthasak said that authorities would not use a defensive approach but to apply more proactive measures, set up checkpoints and inspect suspected locations.
If the authorities could work vigorously, the insurgents would not dare to attack, he said, adding that from now on, security agencies would be on high alert to prevent possible attacks.
He added that insurgents in the three southern provinces would not expand their operations to Bangkok but authorities would not be negligent and would heighten security monitoring.
