Special envoys appointed to South peace talks team

The cabinet has endorsed the appointment of two army generals as special envoys in the Thai dialogue team to the South, deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul said.

The appointment of Gen Wallop Raksanoh and Gen Suthas Kanchananonkul was approved by the National Security Council, as well as given the nod by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon who chairs the panel.

The two generals were chosen based on their expertise in handling security affairs, she said, adding that the cabinet has also approved the appointment of six members to the panel of experts attached to the committee.

Meanwhile, Gen Prayut expressed regret over the incident in which three soldiers shot dead three civilians “by mistake” in Narathiwat on Dec 16. “No one wants anything like this to happen. I offer my regrets,” he said after the cabinet meeting yesterday.

The prime minister’s comments came after two soldiers surrendered on Friday and presented firearms they used in the shooting as evidence. Pol Maj Gen Narin Boosaman, chief of the Narathiwat provincial police, said the soldiers, whose names were not given, have been charged with murder.

Earlier, Sayan Sukchan, chairman of the Pithak Tham justice advocacy centre, said special procedures are required to deal with incidents of abuse perpetrated by authorities.

Yesterday, Gen Prayut said a factfinding probe has been launched while the authorities have paid 500,000 baht in compensation to each of the families of three victims. Gen Prayut said if the soldiers are found to have acted recklessly, they will face legal consequences. At the same time, people must stay away from areas that are off-limits.