Southern separatist groups have postponed the next round of peace talks until December because they are not certain about the government’s political stability and about the fate of Lt-Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr, secretary-general of National Security Council and head of the government’s negotiating team.

There were interesting developments regarding three high-profile security-related crime cases in the restive deep South in the third week of November.

The main merit of the various public hearings staged by the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre to gauge public opinions regarding the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional separatist group is that the government will have direct access to the wishes of the people and will not be misled by the rebels.

Decentralization and empowerment of local communities can help ease – if not resolve – the unrest problem in the deep South, said Professor Dr Suchit Boonbongkarn, a wellknown poltical scientist and chair of the Political Development Council, said in his special lecture at a recent seminar held at Ratchabhat University in Yala province.

PULO claims responsibility for firing rockets The Pattani United Liberation Organisation (PULO) has claimed responsibility of the launch of the improvised rockets that struck military targets in Pattani and Narathiwat in January to celebrate the 48th anniversary of the organization,