Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has confirmed the government will press ahead with peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist group.
A motorcycle used by security personnel lies embedded in a bomb crater caused by a roadside explosion in Bacho district of Narathiwat province yesterday. The bomb, hidden inside a 20kg gas cylinder, wounded two patrolling marines. WAEDAO HARAI
Ms Yingluck addressed the issue yesterday when she chaired a meeting of executives from the Centre for the Implementation of Policies and Strategies for Solving Problems in the Southern Border Provinces at the Defence Ministry.
Speaking after the meeting, National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut said the premier, who is also defence minister, confirmed the talks will continue.
Malaysia, as talks facilitator, has also said BRN representative Hassan Taib will continue to lead the talks, Lt Gen Paradorn said.
The premier, however, instructed relevant agencies to study the five demands made by the BRN as a condition for the negotiations.
Among the demands were that Asean members, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and international NGOs be allowed to witness the talks, and that the government release all detained suspects and suspend and revoke all arrest warrants concerning national security cases without condition.
The BRN also wants to be recognised as a liberation movement, rather than as a separatist group.
The prime minister has assigned related agencies to study the BRN's demands and give their opinions at the next meeting on Aug 22-23, Lt Gen Paradorn said. The NSC chief said the BRN's demands were unclear and the authorities have not yet accepted them.
Meanwhile, the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) plans to procure security equipment to boost safety in seven economically significant cities in the far South.
The equipment include X-ray machines and bomb disposal devices, according to government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi.
The equipment will be delivered from November, he added.
Mr Teerat said the premier has asked Isoc to map out an action plan to boost security in the restive South and to publicise information on its activities.
In Narathiwat yesterday, two marines were wounded in a roadside bomb blast as they were about to cross a bridge on Phetkasem Road between Narathiwat and Pattani in Bacho district's tambon Barae Nua around noon yesterday.
The blast took place when six troops were travelling on three motorcycles during a routine patrol.
The wounded servicemen were named as Petty Officer 1st Class Attawut Insawarng, 24, and Private Songwut Rattanahiran, 21.
The bomb had been stuffed inside a gas cylinder weighing about 20 kilogrammes and was detonated by radio signal, investigators said.