Mara Patani, an umbrella body consisting of several separatist groups, is ready to discuss a proposal to set up safety zones in the violence-plagued far South at the next round of talks expected after the royal cremation ceremony of the late King, says Gen Aksara Kerdpol, who leads the Thai negotiation team in the peace talks.
Gen Aksara said that during the past month some media outlets and analysts had tried to link a surge in violent incidents in the deep South with the peace process.
This has created confusion for Malaysia, which acts as the facilitator of the peace talks, as well as created suspicion and distrust for Mara Patani, which has been involved in the peace dialogue with the Thai government, he said.
Therefore, Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr, who heads the government special delegation to resolve southern unrest, assigned the peace negotiation team to clear the air with Malaysia and Mara Patani and to reaffirm the government's commitment to continuing the peace talks, Gen Aksara said.
After the meeting, Gen Aksara said Mara Patani was ready to work with the Thai side to designate safety zones at the next round of talks, which is expected to be held after the royal cremation ceremony to be held from Oct 25-29.
A safety zone would be an area where fighting would be off limits, but the precise details of its location or size have not been made clear.
"Supporting the government's peace efforts is tantamount to rejecting all forms of violence and rendering perpetrators of violence illegitimate," Gen Aksara said.
He also said winning back the trust of local residents is an important measure to tackle southern unrest, adding that security agencies have also tried to outmanoeuvre armed extremist groups with advanced technologies.
