Thai government rejects demands of BRN separatist group

Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha (Photo: AFP)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s government has rejected the claims of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) rebel group on the formal peace negotiation progress.

The government noted that the BRN is not involved in the ongoing peace talks so it is not related to the establishment of “safety zones” in the southernmost provinces.

There will be no direct dialogues between the government and militant groups, said Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha while rejecting the possible involvement of a third party in the talks.

He affirmed that if the BRN has any claim on changing the negotiation mechanism, it should deliver to Malaysia, which plays the role as an intermediary.

PM Chan-ocha also stressed that the Thai government is determined to tackle the conflict and will ease the situation as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s chief negotiator Aksara Kerdphol said the authorities will continue peace talks with Mara Patani, which is considered to be an umbrella organisation of separatists, including the BRN.

In February, the Thai army and Mara Patani group agreed to create a “safety zone” in one of three southernmost provinces.  

On April 10, the BRN rejected the peace plan of the Thai army and made many claims on the negotiations. The move has hindered the development of the peace talks in order to end the conflict that has killed nearly 7,000 people in the Southeast Asian country.-VNA