DPM:New-round peace talks in Thai far South will be held at the right time

BANGKOK, February 25 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan says that the new round of peace talks between representatives of the Thai government and those of insurgent groups in the Thai far South will be held when it is appropriate. General Prawit, who oversees national security, told journalists on Wednesday morning, before chairing a meeting of the Defence Council in Bangkok, that a timeframe for the new-round peace talks has not yet been clearly set, as Malaysia, the facilitator of the peace negotiation process is considering the overall situation in the Thai deep South. General Prawit noted that the new-round peace talks would happen when the overall situation in the violence-plagued Thai far South was calm. General Prawit's remarks followed a recent car bombing incident in Narathiwat Province, causing considerable damages and casualties. The deputy prime minister insisted that last Friday's bombing incident in Narathiwat would not affect the peace negotiation process in the southernmost Thai region. The deputy prime minister stressed that local security authorities had always taken precautions and they were finding out why the bombing incident happened. According to the deputy prime minister, he has, however, ordered local security officers at checkpoints to carefully search vehicles. Regarding a new demonstration bill being deliberated by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), the Thai deputy premier opined that it would not infringe on any individual's rights, but it would prevent demonstrations of people or groups from troubling the general public, pointing out that other countries also have such the law. (TNA)