Thai delegation, BRN agree to endorse peace plan soon

Representatives of the Thai government and a major separatist group ended their two days of peace talks in Kuala Lumpur today with an agreement to endorse a comprehensive peace roadmap “at the earliest opportunity,” according to a statement issued by the Malaysian facilitator of the negotiations.

It said the Thai peace delegation affirmed the Thai government’s readiness to create an environment conducive to bringing about peace in the three southern provinces of Thailand which have been ravaged by at least two decades of violence.

The statement provided no details but said measures to foster such environment will be discussed by a technical team to be set up by the two sides in February and March.

The statement was issued at the end of the two-day talks hosted by Malaysia. The Thai delegation to the meeting is headed by Chatchai Bangchuad, who is concurrently deputy secretary…