Hanoi (VNA) – Thai army negotiatorsand Islamic insurgents reached an agreement on establishing a ‘safe zone’ inThailand’s insecure south.
The agreement, the result of talksin Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a small but significant step in negotiations toend the 13-year-long conflict in southern Thailand.
In an annoucement, Mara Patani, arepresentative of the insurgents, said in a trust-building measure, Thailand’sarmy and insurgents passed a joint framework on implementing a safe zone in oneof five proposed districts, without mentioning which district.
Thailand’s Prime Minister PrayutChan-o-cha welcomed the progress but warned the insurgents that carrying outattacks to destroy the safe zone would damage the peace process.
Thailand’s government begannegotiating with the insurgents in 2013 under former PM YingluckShinwatra. Thenegotiationshave been disrupted by frequent attacks in Thailand’s southernmostregion and decade-long political unrest in Bangkok.-VNA
Thailand tightens security in south’s largest city
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