Representatives of the Thai Government and the Barisan RevolusiNasional (BRN) insurgent group operating in the south began their firstround of peace talks in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpuron March 28.
However, a bombing took place in southern Thailand on the same day, killing three people.
Accordingto Thai National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut, theone-day talks focused on reducing bloodshed in the southern region. Theoverall peace process would take time, he said, adding that the firstround of talks focused on building mutual trust and good relations.
TheThai government inked an agreement to start talks with BRN last monthin Malaysia on the sidelines of a visit by Thai Prime MinisterYingluck Shinawatra.
More than 5,000 people have been killed in Thailand 's three southernmost provinces since an insurgency erupted in 2004.
The BRN is one of the groups held responsible by Thailand for the violence.-VNA