Thais, Militants Hold Peace Talks Amidst More Violence
Thailand is holding peace talks with Muslim insurgents aimed at curbing violence in the south. Government officials are meeting representatives of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional rebel group in the Malaysian capital, KL. The talks follow a deal reached in February with the group, which is one of several operating in the area. More than 5,000 people have been killed since a separatist insurgency reignited in the Muslim-majority region in 2004.
By Sadho Ram — 28 Feb 2013, 02:33 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
Thailand and Muslim group begin peace talks amidst violence
Thai policemen inspect the body of a paramilitary ranger killed in a bombing in southern Thailand on Thursday.
Image via wsj.net
Five people are reported killed as Thai government begins talks with Muslim groups in neighbouring Malaysia.
Image via worldbulletin.net
A Thai police officer stands next to the body of a ranger who was killed in a roadside bomb attack by suspected separatist militants at a hospital in Thailand's restive southern province of Narathiwat on March 28, 2013.
Image via bloomberg.comMuslim rebels killed 3 military rangers in a roadside bomb attack in southern Thailand on Thursday before security officials sat down to talks with rebel groups aimed at ending the bloody insurgency
firstpost.com
Thailand blamed the Thursday morning bombing that killed three paramilitaries on militants seeking to sabotage the peace effort.
omantribune.comThe roadside bomb attack which killed 3 and injured 5, highlighted that the BRN may not have enough control over the fragmented militant groups to unify them behind the peace process
Violence has occurred nearly every day in Thailand's Muslim-dominated three southernmost provinces since the insurgency erupted in 2004, and more than 5,000 people have been killed.
go.comBlast rattles Thai south after peace talk deal
No-one has claimed responsibility for the attacks. It comes after Thailand signed a deal in Malaysia with the National Revolution Front (BRN), one of many rebel groups operating in the south. A soldier was among those hurt in the early morning blast that burned nearby vehicles, according to reports.
Image via imgur.comThe bomb exploded outside a market in Narathiwat province. It was followed by a car bomb explosion in front of a police station in Narathiwat but no one was injured in that attack
The device, hidden in a motorcycle, was detonated outside a busy morning market in the provincial town of Narathiwat.
Six people are injured by a bomb in southern Thailand, a day after the government signed a peace talks deal with Muslim rebels.
Thai peace talks to open in 2 weeks: Najib
Before leaving for Malaysia, Paradorn had said Thailand would seek Malaysia's help to determine which groups were operating in Muslim provinces and then facilitate talks with the groups.
Image via worldbulletin.netMalaysia will become a "facilitator" for talks with separatist groups in the south of Thailand, while the national security council chiefs of both countries will tackle the issue together.
Thailand signs first-ever agreement with rebels for peace talks
Secretary general of Thailand's National Security Council Paradorn Pattanathabutrr (L), shakes hands with Hassan Taib (R), during the signing of the general consensus document to launch a dialogue process for peace in Thailand's southern provinces.
Image via demotix.com
Paradorn Pattanathabutr (seated second L), and Hassan Taib (seated second R), attend the signing ceremony of the general consensus document to launch a dialogue process for peace in the border provinces of southern Thailand in Kuala Lumpur.
Image via demotix.comThai authorities and Muslim militant leaders based in neighboring Malaysia agreed Thursday to hold talks to help ease nearly a decade of unrest in southern Thailand.
boston.comIt is the first formal engagement between the government and insurgents.
bangkokpost.comThailand signs its first-ever deal with Muslim rebels based in Malaysia to begin talks on ending a decades-long conflict in the south.
Thailand open "peace dialogue" with southern rebels
Members of a Thai rescue team carry a blast victim after a bomb was detonated by suspected separatist militants at the clock tower intersection in Pattani town on Feb 17, 2013.
Image via asiaone.comSecretary general of the National Security Council, says the 2 countries are working to set up the talks with militant leaders. M'sia would act as a facilitator.
About South Thailand insurgency
Violence has increasingly been spilling over into other provinces. Although separatist violence has occurred for decades in the region, the campaign escalated in 2004.
The South Thailand Insurgency is an ethnic separatist insurgency taking place in Southern Thailand, predominantly in the Malay Pattani region, made up of the four southernmost provinces of Thailand.