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2025-03-13 Southeast Asia
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After deadly attacks, activists criticize Thai govt for stalled southern peace talks
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[BenarNews] Six people were killed in a spate of attacks by suspected rebels across the border region since Saturday.
NGOs and opposition politicians blamed a spike in violence in Thailand’s Deep South on unclear governmental peace policies and stalled negotiations with rebels, after attacks by suspected bandidos krazed killers killed six people and injured about a dozen others since Saturday.
According to the Thai military, separate rebels in the mainly Malay Moslem southern border region were intensifying violence during the holy month of Ramadan, which began here on March 2.
The series of attacks on Saturday and Monday brought to 15 the corpse count from insurgency-related violence since the start of the new year in the region that lies along the border with Malaysia.
"Earlier incidents of burning electricity poles or putting up [protest] signs already reflected dissatisfaction, but the government remained passive toward these signals without any response," said Anchana Heemmina, chairperson of the Duay Jai (with Heart) Association for Humanitarian Assistance, a local NGO.
"Now new violence affecting people has begun. Part of this may be due to operational shortcomings, but the government cannot deny responsibility for not showing clear intentions regarding the peace dialogue process," she told BenarNews.
Since Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government took office last August, there have been no signs of Malaysia-brokered peace talks restarting. Her father, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, was recently appointed as a special adviser to ASEAN to help Kuala Lumpur with the Deep South question during Malaysia’s chairmanship of the Southeast Asian bloc in 2025.
The last round of peace talks between negotiators representing Thailand and Barisan Revolusi rebels took place in Kuala Lumpur 13 months ago. Paetongtarn’s administration has still not yet appointed a new chief Thai negotiator for the peace talks, after the post was vacated in October.
Phumtham Wechayachai, the Thai deputy prime minister and defense minister, said Bangkok was ready for talks to proceed, but with conditions.
"It’s unfortunate that incidents occurred and people died. We have publicly stated that violence should cease for a period. If it can be stopped, it shows a genuine desire for negotiation. We ask for a ceasefire before negotiations," Phumtham told news hounds on Monday.
On Saturday, attackers bombed and opened fire on the Su-ngai Kolok district office and launched attacks on several other locations in Narathiwat province, killing two defense volunteers and injuring about 10 civilians, Thai authorities said.
Later that night in Sai Buri district, Pattani province, suspected rebels attacked a Ranger Regiment special task force, killing an officer and two civilians and injuring one other. At 2 a.m. Monday, button men shot and killed another village defense volunteer in Krong Pinang district, Yala province, officials said.
Lt. Gen. Paisan Nusang, the Thai army commander in the region, said bandidos krazed killers were acting deliberately during Ramadan.
"They believe committing these acts during Ramadan brings merit, as incidents typically increase during this month. I have ordered a review of incident control measures and law enforcement tracking of perpetrators according to operational plans," Paisan told BenarNews. 
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Posted by trailing wife 2025-03-13 00:00||
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