Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha (Photo: AFP) Bangkok (VNA)– Thailand’s government has rejected the claims of the Barisan RevolusiNasional (BRN) rebel group on the formal peace negotiation progress.
The government noted thatthe BRN is not involved in the ongoing peace talks so it is not related to theestablishment of “safety zones” in the southernmost provinces.
There will be no directdialogues between the government and militant groups, said Thai Prime MinisterPrayuth Chan-ocha while rejecting the possible involvement of a third party inthe talks.
He affirmed that if theBRN has any claim on changing the negotiation mechanism, it should deliver toMalaysia, which plays the role as an intermediary.
PM Chan-ocha alsostressed that the Thai government is determined to tackle the conflict and willease the situation as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s chiefnegotiator Aksara Kerdphol said the authorities will continue peace talks withMara Patani, which is considered to be an umbrella organisation of separatists,including the BRN.
In February, the Thai armyand Mara Patani group agreed to create a “safety zone” in one of three southernmostprovinces.
On April 10, the BRNrejected the peace plan of the Thai army and made many claims on thenegotiations. The move has hindered the development of the peace talks in orderto end the conflict that has killed nearly 7,000 people in the Southeast Asiancountry.-VNA
