The meeting, according to Gen Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, the Malaysian who is facilitating the peace negotiations, gave rise to hope for peace in the border region ravaged by conflict.
He said representatives of the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) will continue to speak at technical levels to develop an action plan in accordance with the so-called Joint Comprehensive Peace Plan, upon which the two sides have agreed. The news conference was held at a hotel in the Malaysian capital and was held at the conclusion of the negotiations.
Representatives of the Thai government and the separatist organization can use the blueprint as a two-year discussion road map.
The former head of Malaysia’s military forces, who was recently named as the new facilitator for the peace negotiations, said, “The roadmap demonstrates there is hope for peace for the Pattani community on Thailand’s border and there is an opportunity to end the conflict.”
Both parties are committed to carrying out the general principles of the peace plan, which call for a suspension of violence, public consultation, and political solutions, according to Gen Wallop Raksanoh, head of the Thai delegation.
According to him, the most recent round of negotiations increased confidence between the parties, who displayed their commitment to resolving their differences during the meeting.
“There is some light at the end of the tunnel, I think. In two years, perhaps, we will have emerged from the darkness, Gen. Wallop told Thai PBS.
Gen. Wallop responded that there has been discussion about how to make the peace process more inclusive when asked if additional rebel factions will be engaged in next peace negotiations.
