Thailand has rejected the Barisan Revolusi Nasional's (BRN) accusation that Thai authorities have breached an agreement to reduce violence in the troubled far South during Ramadan.
National Security Council (NSC) chief Paradorn Pattanatabut said the Thai delegation to peace talks with the BRN has submitted a letter to Malaysian government representative Ahmad Zamzamin bin Hashim to address the allegation.
Hassan Taib: Thai forces violated the Ramadan ceasefire. Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut: Not true. (File photos)
Lt Gen Paradorn's remarks came after news reports that BRN negotiator Hassan Taib filed a complaint letter to Mr Zamzamin, former director of Malaysia's External Intelligence Organisation who mediated talks between both sides.
The letter said Thailand's alleged infringement had forced the BRN to launch counterattacks.
Lt Gen Paradorn also rejected a call by the Democrat Party for the Foreign Ministry to formally protest against the BRN's claim.
"It is not a kind of issue that requires the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' intervention. What we need to do is to take action to protect the lives and property of locals," he said.
Lt Gen Paradorn said the inclusion of Sadao district of Songkhla in the ceasefire agreement does not necessarily mean the area is considered to be a restive zone.
The NSC and Sadao residents have objected to the inclusion of the district in the pact, saying it unfairly links the area to the violence in the South.
Lt Gen Paradorn said the district is a gateway for many Thai-Muslims who work in Malaysia to return home during Ramadan. As a result the Malaysia facilitator agreed to the BRN's request to put it on the ceasefire announcement to accommodate travellers.
Lt Gen Paradorn was speaking during a visit to the deep South.
The NSC chief is part of a high-level security delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok visiting the three southernmost provinces.
It was Pol Gen Pracha's first visit to the troubled region since his appointment as the director of the Centre for Implementation of Policies and Strategies for Solving Problems in the Southern Border Provinces.
Pol Gen Pracha was also accompanied by Deputy Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa, national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew and army chief-of-staff Udomdej Sitabutr.
"There is nothing special [about the visit]. The government policy towards the situation is already clear," Pol Gen Pracha said.