FAR SOUTH

The government's peace talk agreement with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) lacks input from people on the ground and appears to cater to the insurgent group, Sitthipong Jantharaviroj, secretary-general of the Muslim Attorney Association says.

Mr Sitthipong said residents in the strife-torn provinces should have a say on how to solve the longstanding violence in the far South.

But the government's focus has swung back to the creation of a Pattani special administrative zone, which is not a solution to end the insurgency, he said.

He said local people wanted to be treated justly by the authorities and were seeking solutions to drug-related and economic problems.

"The Pattani special administrative zone is what the BRN _ not local people _ wants," he said.

Meanwhile, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said peace talk negotiations with the BRN will not produce instant results.

He said other countries facing insurgencies, with clear boundaries for the areas which rebels occupied, took years to tackle the problems.

"That is different from our case in which there is neither area occupation nor clear forces but the aim is the same. Our problems are complicated," Gen Prayuth said.

The army commander also said he would have no problems with the peace negotiation as long as it does not contravene the constitution. He said the government should be selective with whom they enter talks.

If the BRN wants the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations to be lifted, it must first ensure that violence in the far South ceases.

Gen Prayuth also pointed out that other countries recognise the government's solutions in the far South and accept that insurgent groups are the cause of the violence in the region. He said this will help limit overseas support for the southern insurgency.

National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut said yesterday he will lead a 15-man delegation to talk to the BRN on March 28.

The group will include representatives of the army chief and local people in the far South.

Also yesterday, Prasop Busarakham, head of the parliamentary committee on law reform, said he has formed a sub-committee to study the establishment of a special administrative zone in the far South.