THAI GOVERNMENT HOPEFUL OF RESUMING PEACE TALKS IN SOUTHERN REGION SOON

By Nur Atiq Maisarah Suhaimi and Nur Syahidayah Mahasan

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Thailand is hopeful that its newly established peace negotiation team led by General Somsak Rungsita, will begin work soon to advance efforts to resolve the unrest in the country’s southern region. 

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said despite challenges, dialogue remains essential to achieving peace.

“He (Somsak) understands the issue and hopes that the new team can begin its task soon, especially negotiations with those who are perpetrating the violence.

“Negotiations are important,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held here, recently.

Somsak, a former National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general was appointed by the Thai government early last month to head its delegation for peace talks with southern Thailand’s Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN).

Meanwhile, Sihasak said Thailand valued deeply Malaysia’s longstanding contribution as facilitator in promoting dialogue and peace efforts in southern Thailand, describing Kuala Lumpur’s contribution as crucial in helping to resolve the long-running conflict.

He noted that addressing the southern conflict requires a comprehensive approach that includes not only peace talks but also economic development to improve the well-being of communities in the region.

“We are working with Malaysia, not just regarding the peace talks, but also on the development of our common border area and, to bring mutual prosperity to our common border areas.

“Economic development plays a very important role in resolving the situation in the south, in addition to the peace talks,” he said.

The Foreign Minister also stressed the importance of recognising the unique identity, culture, and history of the people in southern Thailand, saying that understanding these deep rooted values are crucial to achieving long-term peace.

Malaysia has played an important role as facilitator of the peace dialogue process since 2013, which aimed to end the decades-long conflict in Thailand’s southern provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, and parts of Songkhla.

Its current facilitator is Datuk Mohd Rabin Basir, former director-general of Malaysia’s National Security Council, who was appointed on July 1, 2024.

Amid ongoing initiatives, talks between Thai government and the BRN have faced obstacles with negotiations stalled since mid 2024. 

-- BERNAMA