Peace in the South is a long, difficult journey | Bangkok Post: opinion

Opinion > Opinion

First step in a long and difficult journey

Despite all the criticism of the historic signing of the agreement to launch peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist organisation on Feb 28 in Kuala Lumpur, the Pheu Thai-led government appears to have won popular support and, as such, scored political points for the initiative.

An opinion poll conducted on March 14-15 by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) found that 64.7% of respondents agreed with the initiative - formally called the General Consensus on a Peace Dialogue Process - and believe it will finally end unrest in the insurgency-plagued deep South.

The same poll also showed that 23.9% of respondents disagreed with the initiative, saying it will be fruitless and that it attaches too much importance to the BRN.

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Your comments

  • highlander

    Post : 151

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    Discussion 7 : 18 Mar 2013 at 10.437

    This BP article is ridiculous nobody can make peace with these terrorist insurgents. They exist to kill and destroy everything Thailand stand for because they are muslim and want the Southern Provinces for themselves.

  • jacksprat

    ThailandPost : 2,561

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    Discussion 6 : 18 Mar 2013 at 10.346

    Talk peace with them, but never let your guard down.

  • pjt

    ThailandPost : 959

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    Discussion 5 : 18 Mar 2013 at 09.315

    Khun Veera - the real test of this process will be when the BRN and its associates, who claim to want peace, start to help the security forces find and deal with the juwae and others who do not. There is some way before that occurs, however it is reasonable to expect that, at a fairly early stage, the BRN would start to provide intelligence on groups who are seeking to derail the process through continued violence - if only to ensure that they (the BRN) are not accused of lack of sincerity. The security forces have a balancing act to continue to take out those who practice violence whilst not stirring resentment against the peace effort

  • bkposter

    United StatesPost : 1,342

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    Discussion 4 : 18 Mar 2013 at 09.264

    Fact: The PT has power now not because they are smarter, or more corrupt, but because they are better at telling the people what they want to hear. Once they have power they are better at making the most people believe that they have their interests at heart. Once the campaigning starts they simply out bid the DP for the job. Everything the PT has campaigned on and done the DP had promised much the same policies, including the rice scheme, the minimum wage, and the transit spending etc.the PT just bid more and more until they got the job.

  • pquinlan

    ThailandPost : 1,062

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    Discussion 3 : 18 Mar 2013 at 08.123

    Has Chalerm visited the south yet, as he promised to do a couple of weeks ago? Here is a further indication of his total absence on this issue - an entire article on the situation in the south, and not one mention of the government's point man. In order to lead, you actually have to be present.

  • oldairman

    ThailandPost : 806

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    Discussion 2 : 18 Mar 2013 at 07.342

    I can understand that most want a peace process to work and I truly hope that it will.

    Ahmad Somboon Bualuang, of King Prajadhipok's Institute said it didn't matter whether Hassan Taib, who signed the document on behalf of the BRN, has the real power or control over the new breed of militants blamed for most of the violence in the region.

    If Hassan Taib has NO control over the new breed of militants they won't be bothered to play the game and will carry on the way they do now.

    Then what happens?

  • ringmaster

    United StatesPost : 751

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    Discussion 1 : 18 Mar 2013 at 04.431

    "There will be more violent incidents by the juwae warriors, or the new breed of militants who disagree with the plan to launch peace talks, because they don't see any benefit from the process."

    Of course, the juwae warriors are despicable. They don't want peace. They want war. Don't give them what they want.

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