‘Improved’ southern peace road map discussed

Ramadan and Songkran peace are also discussed in the first speaks in almost a month.

‘Improved’ southern peace road map discussed
A guy keeps watch as a motorcycle drives by on Yala’s road. ( Bangkok Post File Image )

Individuals said on Wednesday that after two weeks of peace negotiations in Malaysia between the Thai authorities and southern insurgents, a deal has been reached to seek an “improved” route map to resolving issues in the area.

Along with the Thai festival of Songkran, which begins in the middle of April, the two factors also hope to reach an agreement on a ceasefire that will include the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

In an effort to put an end to the conflict that has claimed more than 7,300 lives in the Muslim-majority region since 2004, talks between representatives of the Thai government and the separatist Barisan Revolusi Nasional ( BRN ) resumed on Tuesday.

Later this month and in March, professional sessions may be held to finalize information, according to Malaysian coach Zulkifli Zainal Abidin.

He stated that putting an end to conflicts and holding open consultations will be the main priorities.

Since the Pheu Thai authorities took company, there had never been deals like this. Additionally, they represent the government side’s chief negotiator for the first time in nine times. Former military leaders who served or retired served as the leaders of representatives that the earlier military-led state appointed. &nbsp,

According to chief government negotiator Chatchai Bangchuad, who is also the deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council, the two sides have in principle agreed on a draft road map known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan Toward Peace (JCPP ), which includes resolving the conflict politically.

At technical-level meetings at the end of February and in March, both sides would explain the document word more, according to Anas Abdulrahman, the mind of the BRN group.

The southern regions of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, where issue has flared intermittently for years, have been called for freedom by the BRN.

The southern area borders Malaysia and was once a part of Patani, an impartial Malay kingdom, before Thailand annexed it in 1909 as agreed upon by the United Kingdom.

According to Deep South Watch, a group that tracks the crime, the most recent period of fight broke out in 2004, and since then, more than 7,300 people have died. &nbsp,

The BRN stated that before the general election on May 14 of last year, the Thai social position needed to be more secure in order for the process to proceed. As a result, peace talks were postponed.