The Thai
government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) have agreed to a 40-day
Ramadan ceasefire to show their desire to end the southern insurgency.
The move marks a key milestone in the push to
end the nearly decade-long conflict, which has claimed more than 5,700 lives
since 2004.
The "violence-free month" began on
Wednesday and will end on Aug 18, according to Malaysian security official
Ahmad Zamzamin bin Hashim.
National Security Council (NSC)
secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut confirmed the statement by Malaysian
authorities, adding that the government is deploying more defence volunteers
and reassigning...
All locations in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala
provinces and five districts of Songkhla - Na Thawi, Sadao, Chana, Thepha and
Saba Yoi - are included in the ceasefire agreement.
The statement said Thailand Southern Thailand .
The ceasefire will be the first serious test of
the push to end the southern violence at the negotiating table.
nsurgents have vowed to refrain from attacks on
security officers, civilians and property, the statement said.
In return, authorities will refrain from
"any aggressive actions" and ensure safety for civilians regardless
of religion.
"This is a stepping stone to what we want
to achieve in the future. If there are no incidents, we can see the light at the
end of the tunnel. It will be a precedent, a stepping stone," Mr Hashim
said.
The NSC, which leads the government's peace
talks delegation, has promised to scale down raids on suspected insurgents
during the holy month, which began on Wednesday.
Authorities have also removed a number of
roadblocks and the military has withdrawn its personnel from some villages in a
bid to ease tensions. Troop withdrawal was among the list of demands made by
the BRN as a condition for reducing violence during Ramadan.
Lt Gen Paradorn said soldiers, however, will not
lower their guard at public offices and buildings.
"Certain security measures will be scaled
down during the fasting month, such as searches and raids, while security at
vulnerable establishments and targets will remain unchanged," he said.
The BRN's pledge to halt violence came a day
after a bomb wounded eight soldiers aboard a truck transporting soldiers to
protect teachers in Yala's Raman district.
The NSC chief said the BRN accepted blame for
the explosion but had assured him that it could control insurgents in the
field.
Lt Gen Paradorn expressed confidence the
security situation would improve significantly after the BRN's peace pledge
"But I'm convinced the BRN will be able to
curb violence," he said. "In the past they never came out and made a
clear announcement of their goal."
Pressure will be put on the BRN, he noted.
He said peace talks will continue however even
if violence erupts during the fasting month.
"The [ceasefire] intention is good, so the
talks will continue. And if violent attacks occur, both sides will work
together to determine who is responsible and how they will handle them,"
he said.
The NSC chief said authorities will not lower
their guard because it remains unknown what the situation will be like after
the end of Ramadan.
He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has
been informed of the new development and has asked authorities concerned to
maintain their vigilance.
Domeng Majaema, a religious leader at Moo 2
village in Yala's Raman district, welcomed the pledge for peace in the region
and hoped that a successful ceasefire could set a precedent for the future.
"I hope this Ramadan month and other
periods will not be the same as they used to be. Having talked to other imams,
they want peace to return to the area," he said.
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