Thai DPM:Peace talks pact with BRN is legal

BANGKOK, March 11 (TNA) - The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul says he has checked relevant laws and found that the recent signing of a peace talks pact for peace restoration in the Thai far South between the Thai government, through the National Security Council (NSC), and the Barisan Revolusi National (BRN) insurgent group does not violate any law. Surapong insisted on Monday that he has studied relevant laws thoroughly and found that the planned negotiation is legitimate, intended to restore peace and solve local problems, affirming that the move is not an act to upgrade the status of any negotiation as confused by people in the society, but it is aimed at peace negotiation and planning. Although critics said the BRN group, which signed the peace talks pact with the NSC, is not really behind insurgent movements in the Thai deep South, the deputy premier acknowledged that it represents a beginning, paving the way for negotiations with other groups. According to the deputy prime minister, the Thai government has taken sincere and careful actions to solve insurgency-related problems in the southern border Thai region. (TNA)