Malaysia confirms Taib will lead BRN team in talks

National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut said yesterday that he had received the confirmation from Malaysia, which is playing the role of dialogue facilitator.
Aziz Benhawan, a Thai representative, said he was confident the fourth round of talks would take place on Sunday as scheduled.
The peace talks officially began in March. Yet, bloody attacks in the deep South have continued and rumours have been spreading that the peace process is collapsing. Over the past two days, several incidents have taken place in the region, with at least two deaths reported.
Aziz explained that the upcoming meetings would be important because both sides would likely raise questions and demand clear answers from the other.
Paradorn said the Thai team expected to use Sunday’s meeting to develop tangible results.
“We need tangible solutions,” he reiterated.
He went on to say that the government-appointed steering committee would meet this week to discuss the BRN’s five demands.
Separately, a bomb exploded yesterday as officials were inspecting the site where unknown gunmen opened fire on a vehicle carrying Sayan Chanachaiwong, the chief of Narathiwat’s Sungai Padi district, on Monday night. The district chief got away unharmed as the vehicle was bullet proof.
The explosion injured 11 people, including two assistant reporters. Of the victims, Pol Corporal Rungroj Netrat succumbed to his injuries on the way to a hospital, while another policeman, Lieutenant Supanit Wijitsopa, is in serious condition.
Police say about seven kilograms of explosives were used in the bomb attack.
In Pattani, a bomb exploded as soon as territorial-defence volunteers arrived at a scene where burning tyres were reported earlier yesterday. Six people were injured, including a 13-year-old boy.

Two of the victims are in critical condition.
In Yala, a former village chief was shot dead as he was about to enter his home on Monday evening.
In Narathiwat, two gunmen opened fire on a territorial-defence-volunteer base on Monday night. Fortunately, none of the 14 volunteers and an assistant village head was hurt.
“We ran for cover when they opened fire,” team leader Abdulloh Dormi said.
“We also fired back and they sped away on their motorcycle.”