A peace negotiation committee should be established immediately to kick-off new peace talks with the Islamist separatist Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani ( BRN), according to peace advocates.
Anchana Heemmina, a human rights defender and the founder of the Duay Jai Group, a charity that provides treatment for rape victims in the deep north, said,” It’s time for the government to set up a new section to oversee harmony negotiations in the deep southern.”
At a new website, Ms. Anchana spoke to journalists, human rights activists, and peace advocates from both Muslim and Buddhist countries to share their views on harmony in the heavy South.
Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat are the three southern border provinces in the deep west.
Ms. Anchana claimed that peace negotiations between the Thai government and the BRN-led hardliners are also important, and that the government should carry out its policy of negotiating for harmony.
If the Thai government stalls the formation of a peace deals section. I predict that citizens will be the target of many more violent problems. All of them are soft target. And she said,” There is a chance that a new cycle of violence may soon break out.”
On January 4, 2004, 413 firearms were stolen from the 4th Development Battalion of the Pileng Military Camp, located in Narathiwat, by unfamiliar suspects. This was the first violent period. During the 20-minute-long weapon attack, four men died.
A number of fire attacks were carried out at 20 colleges across Narathiwat while the Pileng affair was taking place.
Some people believe these incidents were planned, and there will be more phases of murder in the area.
For more than 20 years, these processes have caused turmoil in the southwestern border regions.
According to Ms. Anchana, the crime has had an impact on the lives of the people who live there.
She said,” These violent incidents have hampered funding and halted regional development. No new owners are afraid to travel to the area to look for potential investment opportunities.
A man rights advocate and activist who pleaded anonymity claimed that her organization had worked closely with children in both informal and formal training in the deep South.
She claimed to have spoken with the children about their futures and hope for peace. The youngsters were worried about their potential. They worried that if the crime continued, they would find employment.
She added that she was concerned about the prospects of young people in the deep south because secure schools are essential for utilizing education’s transformative potential and enhancing learning outcomes.
How will these children be able to develop into high-quality individuals if they are exposed to daily violence in their neighborhood? She inquired.
Anchana: Buyers are hesitant to travel there.
Law enforcement
A new federal peace dialogue team may be established in January, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s announcement in January.
But, Mr. Phumtham has not yet decided who will make up the new group, which might be the preceding group or a newly appointed one. A detailed analysis of the methods used to end the decades-old insurgency will determine the choice.
Former deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council ( NSC), Chatchai Bangchuad, previously served as the chief negotiator in peace negotiations under former prime minister Srettha Thavisin.
On February 17, Mr. Phumtham traveled to the deep south to meet with members of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 ( ISOC Region 4 ) at Sirindhorn camp in the Pattani district’s Yarang district.
Mr. Phumtham, who also serves as the defense minister, instructed the ISOC Region 4 employees to exercise the greatest patience in resolving the long-term issues facing the southern regions.
He instructed them to use His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s job methodology, which was based on the” Reach, Access, and Develop” principle for all parties involved, including government officials and local communities, so that they could work together to solve problems.
He claimed that he had asked all involved organizations to prioritize their tasks and tactics for addressing the issues and that they needed to incorporate their efforts to advance the people’s livelihoods and promote regional peace.
He claimed that law enforcement must still be launched against those who commit violent acts in the strong South.
Plan for healthy room
The Buddhist Network for Peace’s chair, Rakchart Suwan, claimed that his organization has been promoting tranquility since 2004.
He claimed that thousands of people have been killed as a result of the assault, including priests and both Muslims and Buddhist, government leaders, teachers, officers, and soldiers.
He told the website,” I am always in anguish when I see crime in the area.”
He claimed that some members of his party had traveled to meet with BRN associates to talk about ways to bring back harmony to the deep South and safeguard local residents.
A safe room concept where both Muslims and Buddhist may express their ideas and opinions openly is proposed by Mr. Rakchart, who is also a part of a House committee studying the development of harmony in the deep north.
He stated that the plan is being thoroughly discussed by all interested parties in the area and the state, and he hopes it will soon be accepted.
Thailand’s southern border region is known for having a sizable Thai-Muslim population, which is important given that the country’s vast majority of its citizens are Buddhists.
Additionally, the area is home to a number of popular and diverse communities of Malay individuals.
The inhabitants of this region have long been the victims of systemic injustices and identity-based prejudice.
Rakchart: Ends persistent hostilities