The first round of formal peace talks between the government and insurgent groups is expected to begin in April, a source close to the Thai negotiation team said Sunday.
In these fresh negotiations, the Thai team will hold talks with four insurgent groups: Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), and three Pattani United Liberation Orgnisation (Pulo) factions — Pulo 5-Star, headed by Kamae Yusoh, Pulo 4-Star, led by Samsuding Khan, and another Pulo faction led by Gusturi, said the source.
Aksara: Running checks on Pulo
The source said the Thai negotiation team headed by Gen Aksara Kerdpol, the army's chief adviser, has run checks on the Pulo groups to verify their existence and determine if they are active in the deep South.
The information will be sent to Malaysia, which is hosting the talks, to be checked again, said the source.
- ANALYSIS: Talks hang by a thread
As for the BRN, the Thai negotiation team is waiting to see who will represent the group in the talks, the source said, adding the government negotiators do not mind if BRN liaison office chief Hassan Taib, who represented the group in the previous talks, will take part.
In February 2013, the government of Yingluck Shinawatra initiated the first formal peace dialogue with a separatist group led by the BRN.
It was believed the peace efforts had been hindered by independent groups stirring violence without participating in the negotiations.
According to the source, informal talks have been held for several months and the "official" ones are ready to begin.
"We must have an official opening of the negotiations process to let people know the peace talks are starting. In reality they have been going on for some time," said the source.
Meanwhile, the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) plans to release a film depicting the insurgency in the deep South and the residents' way of life.
The film will be released nationwide in late April or early May.
The film, Sixth Latitude, tells the story of two protagonists — a Buddhist Thai man and a local Muslim girl — who try to overcome obstacles amid violence and losses. It stars singer and actor Peter Corp Dyrendal and Miss Thailand 2012 Prissana Kampusiri.
It is part of Isoc's attempts to promote a better understanding about the southern situation with the public.
The production took almost three years with a budget of 18 million baht, the source said.
Sixth Latitude is the horizontal line drawn across Pattani.
The source said the film carries the message that conflicts can be solved with love and understanding.
Maj Gen Nakrob Boonbuathong, deputy commander of Isoc's 5th Operations Centre, said the film also showcases local attractions such as the Central mosque, the Krue Se mosque and the Lim Kor Niew shrine.