SOUTHERN PEACE TALKS 'LOST MOMENTUM'

GOVT URGED TO RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AMID UNREST

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

>>>Violence in the southernmost provinces has flared with over 20 attacks reported in the past three months amid a stalled peace dialogue with insurgent groups.

While it is unclear what contributed to the escalation of violence from February-April, especially during the last 10 days of the Ramadan period, it is suggested the government's “negative” stance on the negotiations may have been one of the factors.

There have been at least 10 bombings and six shootings with civilians, including children and the elderly, among the victims. The new wave of violence has sparked calls for the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration to resume negotiations to restore peace and order in the restive south.

The Bangkok Post spoke to a specialist, a peace advocate and politicians from both the government and opposition who have been involved in efforts to resolve the southern conflict for their insights.

Back to the negotiation table

Srisompob Jitpiromsri, director of the Centre for Conflict Studies and Cultural Diversity at Prince of Songkla University, said the uptick in violence is a reversal of a declining trend in violence observed over the past decade.

The drop-off in violence was believed to be the result of peace talks between the government and the rebel group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), even though no formal agreement was reached.

"But after the current government took office last year, there seems to have been a change in policy. The peace dialogue was abandoned since August last year, during which violence surged. The uptick in the unrest is believed to be due to talks halting," he said.

Before the process was stalled, discussions centred on a Joint Comprehensive Plan towards Peace (JCPP), which seeks to involve local communities in the process and address various issues such as the economy, inequality and decentralisation.