This is something that I want to believe is true, but I am a skeptic and will have to wait and see.

Also, if the insurgents are having a ceasefire, then is it right to blame any further violence on the gov't, or drug dealers, criminal elements.....?

One can only hope that this will work.

I have doubts

Loads of freebies for the poor and an end to violence in the south, all in one week! This govt is ace.

Great news if it holds of course, but stopping years of ill feeling in just a few months is unrealistic so I'm doubtful. That there have even been discussions between the government and some of these groups is a good thing though. Would be interesting to know what the quid pro quo was from the government but not holding my breath.

Even if there's a general cease-fire from the groups mentioned, I'd still expect pockets of violence from other groups sadly, so there's still tons to do (thinking back to the Omagh bombing in N. Ireland three months after the Good Friday Agreement for starters).

Just another episode in the ongoing Thai drama - if it wasn't so serious it would make a top viewing soapie.

It's worked in Sri Lanka.... where the Tamil Tigers and the government have agreed to a ceasefire....... 1,922 times.




This post has been edited by sriracha john: 2008-07-17 14:54:34

From what I gather, this isn't an opportunity to tour the deep South. Not that I was going to.

I thought it was a soap opera when it came on television... did you see the cast of characters?


A man is watching a television broadcast of a group of people claimed to be leaders of southern insurgency on Thursday. They say they agree to a ceasefire in the restive South.
Bangkok Post




This post has been edited by sriracha john: 2008-07-17 15:08:57

No... it was 1,923 times exactly.

I remember very well.


Anyway, it's a big step forward : the counter of ceasefire for the South of Thailand -if confirmed- has passed from 0 to 1.

Indeed, an undeniable progress...

Ever seen fire crackers in the hands of children? No way they won't play with them. So it is withe armies, police, guerillas and terrorists.....
As much as I'd love to see peace so I can go back and explore that area again it sounds like a political ploy to me. Only time will tell!

Update:
Thai army is suspicious on ceasefire

The Thai army expressed doubts on the announcement to end the insurgency operation in the south, saying they have never known or contacted the group who claimed to be rebel leaders.

Thai Army spokesman Col Akra Thiprote said the army has never contacted or knew the three men who announced the ceasefire in the recorded video broadcast on televisions on Saturday.

The army is looking for involvement of the group to the insurgency in the south, he said.

"The army plays no role in the incident or any negotiation that led to the said ceasefire. We believe that it is the job of former army chief Gen Chetta Thanajaro and his team," the spokesman said.

It would be an excellent work if the ceasefire can restore peace and stability in the deep southern provinces of Thailand.

In spite of the announcement, the army will still be on alert to provide security for people.

The three men from a group calling themselves Tai Ruam Pak Tai Khong Prathet Thai appeared on television, saying that from July 14 onwards, all the militant and political units of our group will support peace formation in Thailand.

"It has been nearly 100 years since this conflict began so we hope to bring peace back to Thailand to help the people live well."

One of the three men, speaking in a Malay dialect, claimed to be in charge of 11 sets of insurgents including known militant groups called PULO and RKK. He called on other groups to end their activities.

However, some analysts expressed doubt about the claims, which came after bombs exploded on Wednesday outside two police stations in the violent border provinces of Yala and Pattani, wounding seven people.

-- The Nation 2008-07-17

Update:
Thaivisa members think ceasefire is bogus

Update:
Wadah leader says he does not know insurgent leader who announced truce

Den Tohmeena, leader of the Wadah group of politicians from the deep South, said Thursday that he did not know whether the insurgent leader who announced ceasefire were the real leader.

He said he could not verify which group or organization the person who made the ceasefire announcement belonged to.

Den said it has yet to be seen whether the southern violence would end as announced.

-- The Nation 2008-07-17

Thailand's southern army not told of ceasefire by insurgents

BANGKOK: -- The Fourth Army Region, responsible for security affairs in southern Thailand, on Thursday expressed surprise as it had not been informed before on a ceasefire in the restive South by separatist groups and announced by Gen. Chetta Thanajaro, leader of the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana political party, an army spokesman said.

The spokesman said retired Gen. Chetta, a former defense minister, had not informed the Fourth Army Region commander Lt-Gen. Viroj Buacharoon about the ceasefire announced by the so-called Thailand United Southern Underground (TUSU) group earlier Thursday.

The southern army chief believed that the deal to stop bloody violence which has plagued the three restive southern provinces – Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat – was struck by civil society groups and people, especially those living in the South, he said.

Despite Thursday's announcement by three men claiming to represent 11 groups of insurgents, the military will continue to monitor insurgent movements until the situation returns to normal, the spokesman said, adding that Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda had not yet officially responded because the Army brass were taken by surprise.

He said legal action would be taken against outstanding lawbreakers even though violence resulting in death ceases.

More than 3,500 persons have been killed in the three troubled southern provinces since renewed violence broke out in January 2004.

Three representatives of the group announced on a pre-recorded televised broadcast, saying that they had negotiated a ceasefire beginning July 14. One of the three men, none of whom were identified, also urged other groups to end their violent activities.

However, the video was not broadcast until Thursday at noon.

Gen. Chetta said earlier that whether the situation in the region improves after the pledge by the insurgent groups will be seen in what actually happens, but that no conditions were given for stopping the violence.

"There's no political hidden agenda behind the plan," Gen. Chetta said. "I will take responsibility. This is considered a good sign and I'm confident the situation would improve compared to before."

However, Gen. Chetta said he would not guarantee that no violence would erupt in future.

Meanwhile, Boonsom Thongsriprai, president of the Southern Border Teachers Federation, said the ceasefire is considered good news for the people, but they still have to remain cautious because the daily violence still continues.

The announcement must be analysed and also studied by senior officials and concerned ministers, said Mr. Boonsom.

-- TNA 2008-07-17

Spelling mistake


Thaivisa member (no "s") thinks (<- move here) ceasefire is bogus

As far as I'm concern, you never been elected spokeperson,

back to the copy room !

Sorry SJ, to a PAD supporter I realized that the word "elected" may provoke an allergic reaction , so please allow me to change to "nominated spokesperson".

This post has been edited by Pierrot: 2008-07-17 17:01:41

Well a number of those who are posting here are looking for some qualifications for this, and for example, Reuters are quoting, so the jury would appear to be out.

By the by if you're going to send someone to the copy room it's a good idea to review your own usage such as concerned

Regards

Seriously, you are a pathetic trolling poster and yet manage to get your posts, as short and diatribe as they might be, flawed with factual error.

Several members believe the truce to be a shame. So his post was correct.

You are completely right, I also don't trust this propaganda created by the government to take the views away from other urgent problems.

For your information, I'm a farang living since 2001 in Takbai, but now I say, enough is enough. I'm moving away to Hua Hin, where I found a quiet place. Unfortunately I have no chance to sell my house down there, but the lifes of my family members are more important. I'm very sorry, I liked that place, but now we feel like in the Middle East. Do not trust the fanatics !!

Factual errors : I'm listening ....

"Several members" doesn't equal " Thaivisa members", which means all of them, or at least a majority of them. So the post, unless there is a poll that shows a majority of Thaivisa members agrees with it, is not correct.

Pathetic trolling poster : From you, allow me to take it as a compliment.

back to the troll room !


In case you didn't read these other members' posts, perhaps the 2nd time round will help...











there's more if you need them

He who trusts, will be disappointed.
He who believes, will regret.
So awfully sorry.

All that I said is:

1/ You don't represent Thaivisa members

2/ Let's give peace a chance

I know you and your people are ready to everything to put this government down: military dictature, war with Cambodia, unrest everywhere ... I understand a ceasefire in the south would be a disaster for you.

But even if I'm suspicious of what's really going on, all I'm saying is give peace a chance.

This post has been edited by Pierrot: 2008-07-17 18:12:24

I had several beautiful close friends who are from Yala and Pattani, and their speaking accent are far different than what those guys had talked in.

If the intention are to notify and force their group to cease fire, why are they talking in a complete Malaysia accent but not Yala or Pattani accent? I can completely understand what Malaysian people's accent but when my friends from Yala and Pattani speaks in their Jawi accent, I could hardly understand them.

I really pray and hope that things would finally settle down, so that we wouldnt have problem on both sides of the land.
When I passed the PAD mob station in Hat Yai, they talked about the subject and it seems that PAD's are putting negative statements on the topic again.

Amazing Thailand indeed.

that's not all you said...

and in the context of what I wrote that you are disagreeing with, if you need further examples than what I've already quoted to reinforce what I wrote, it's not difficult to provide more examples.

There reason people are ready to put everything down from this government is because so much of what this government does deserves to be put down.

Give people a reason to believe in something and I think they will. If you want people to believe these 3 yokels on TV from "Central Casting" represent the Southern insurgency.... I don't think they'll buy it... and it seems that no one else is buying it, either...



This post has been edited by sriracha john: 2008-07-17 18:15:56