A special government meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok will be held on Thursday to seek a decision on whether to accept the five demands made by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN).
Two plainclothes policemen inspect the car of Humaidee Musaw, 38, an ustaz, or Islamic religious leader who was shot and killed in an attack in Nong Chik district of Pattani Wednesday. The victim was shot while driving to school. ABDULLOH BENJAKAT
Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said Wednesday the meeting at Government House will be attended by armed forces representatives.
He said each BRN demand would be discussed in detail to see if it violates the law. Gen Prayuth said the army would not accept any demand that breaks the law.
He said the outcomes of the meeting will be raised at the next round of peace talks between the government and the BRN. The BRN issued five demands in a video posted on YouTube in April.
The separatist group demanded the peace negotiations be led by the BRN and the Thai government.
The BRN called for the Malaysian government to act as a mediator and not a facilitator.
The three other demands are for Asean representatives, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and NGOs which are approved by both the BRN and the government to witness the talks.
The government must also acknowledge the rights of the Melayu Patani nation for a "land of Patani" and the release of all detained Patani liberation "warriors", without condition.
Gen Prayuth said the army is still ready to provide security for the 2 million people in the deep South.
He said manufacturers must find a way to make gas cylinders from non-hazardous materials to prevent them from being used as bombs.
He also has asked local authorities to help control the purchase of electronic devices in the deep South.
Meanwhile, an ustaz, or Islamic religious teacher, was shot and killed in an ambush in Nong Chik district of Pattani yesterday.
He was identified as Humaidee Musaw, 38, an ustaz at the Islam Community Foundation School in the southernmost border province.
Police said the shooting occurred about 8am on the Bor Thong-Yabi road at Moo 5, tambon Pulohpuyo of Nong Chik.
According to witnesses, Humaidee was driving his car to school when a gunman hiding in a roadside rubber plantation fired at him.
The ustaz was shot several times and taken to Nong Chik Hospital. He was later pronounced dead. Police blamed separatist militants.
Two rangers were yesterday injured by a roadside bomb in Bannang Sata district of Yala province, police said.
Pvt Rachen Srichan and Pvt Eakapong Inputhorn were taken to Bannang Sata Hospital, according to Pol Maj Yom Wetchasit, investigation inspector at Bannang Sata police station. He said a squad of eight rangers was on patrol near Wanghin School when the device was detonated. The explosion left a crater about a metre wide and 30cm deep.
A bomb disposal team and investigators examined the scene and gathered bomb fragments for examination. Police blamed insurgents.