Thailand-BRN peace talks: Video clip is wrong

The second peace talks between Thailand and rebel group BRN started today under an unlucky star. BRN has put a video clip on YouTube with five demands. The characterization of Thais as 'imperialists' has gone down badly, as has the demand to upgrade Malaysia's role from 'facilitator' to 'mediator'.

BRN delegation leader Hassan Taib and Abdul Karim Khalib speak in the clip. Khalib is responsible for BRN political affairs in Pattani and four districts in Songkhla and is the head of Permuda, the youth wing of Runda Kampulan Kecil, another rebel group. An arrest warrant is pending against him. He was reportedly hiding in Malaysia's Kelantan, but attended the first peace talks in March.

The music video ends with a promise to end the 'colonial rule and oppression of Patani Malay'. Patani is the word the insurgents use for Thailand's four southernmost provinces.

Thai delegation leader Paradorn Pattanatabut, secretary general of the National Security Council, called the five demands "difficult to accept". When the BRN sticks to it, the peace initiative is disrupted. "I'll ask Hassan if he really means what he said [in the video]." Paradorn calls the demand to give Malaysia a more important role in violation of the agreements made in February. It was also agreed that the talks would be held in accordance with the Thai constitution.

A source close to the negotiations wondered if Taib might want to pull out of the peace talks as violence continues in the South. The director of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Center thinks the video is mainly aimed at the militants in the field and to put an end to rumors that he was forced [by Thailand] to conduct the talks.

Thaworn Senneam, deputy leader of the opposition Democrats, calls Paradorn 'a fool'. 'The government is now being pressured to dance to the tune of the BRN. If the government wants to continue, it will have to change its strategy. I'm not suggesting we scrap the dialogue, but we do need a new strategy.'

(Source: Bangkok Post, Apr 29, 2013)