HDFF Chairman’s Circle/ Strategic Forum continued with great success!
General (ret) Bunchon Chawansin, HDFF Chairman (right) and
Dr. Wilfried A. Herrmann, HDFF Executive Director
“South Thailand: Peace Talk Agreement Between Royal Thai Government And BRN –
What Is In The Box?” 19 March 2013
On Tuesday, March 19 2013, HDFF continued the Chairman’s Circle/Strategic Forum series 2013, supported by Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok.
In the face of the current developments in the long-lasting conflict situation in Thailand’s South with the upcoming peace talks between Thai government and representatives of Barisan Nasional Movement (BRN) on March 28 2013, the Chairman’s Circle was held under the question: “South Thailand: Peace Talk Agreement Between Royal Thai Government And BRN – What Is In The Box?”
The two appreciated speakers, Prof. Dr. Thanet Aphornsuvan from Thammasat University (left) and
Ajarn Karoon Koyai, Senior Muslim Adviser for the Southern Border Committee of the Houses of Representatives
HDFF invited Prof. Dr. Thanet Aphornsuvan, Dean Pridi Banomyong International College,ASEAN Studies Program from Thammasat University and Ajarn Karoon Koyai, Senior Muslim Adviser for the Southern Border Committee of the Houses of Representatives. Owing to their work and backgrounds both speakers have a deep knowledge about the long-lasting conflict in Thailand’s South. They delivered interesting insights on the history and roots of the conflict and also emphasized the present situation out of a Muslim perspective. The current situation has to be considered with the knowledge about the centralization of Patani as a Thai province in 1902 and the associated forced assimilation of Malay Muslims afterwards. The Thai government tried to implement straightly the idea of creating a Thai mono-ethnic state and wanted to unify the South and the rest of Thailand. This governing policy has been very affecting and is still in the minds of the people in the south and different movements and insurgency groups emerged from that situation.
Participants of Chairman’s Circle listening to the two speakers
The Chairman Circle was joined by a wide range of high level participants – among others – representatives of the Embassies of Japan, Korea, Finland and Australia, representatives of the EU-Delegation, UN and World Bank and also staff of INGOs working on the southern conflict situation.
After the presentations of the two speakers, a lively discussion with different perspectives and inputs created an inspirational environment and gave insights in possible developments in the southern conflict, challenges and recommendations for the future.
General (ret) Bunchon Chawansin, HDFF Chairman asks a complex question
As central outcomes of the Chairman’s Circle it should be resumed that the upcoming peace talks can be seen as an important step forward in the peace process in Thailand’s South. Their success directly depends on the willingness of the involved parties, the Thai government and the movements in the South, to be patient and trust each other. It is important to recognize the Muslim identity and to create an environment, which is open for different cultures, religions and ethnics. It is also very fundamental to consider the important role of civil society and to include them in the peace process. The peace talks between Thai government and BRN should be seen as a part of a process, in which also other movements, especially the young generation, must be involved. The upcoming peace talks on March 28 2013 could therefore give an impulse for further dialogues between government and the people in the South.
HDFF would like to take the opportunity to thank the speakers as well as the participants for their active participation making this second HDFF Chairman’s Circle 2013 so informative and special.
HDFF Chairman General (ret) Bunchon Chawansin with presenters (seated middle) and participants of Chairman’s Circle on 19 March 2013
The next HDFF Chairman’s Circle/Strategic Forum will be held on Tuesday, 28 May 2013 under the topic “ASEAN 2015: non-traditional security issues: Organized crime – repercussions and challenges.” More information will be posted soon on the website or can be obtained via Mr. Christoph Gassner at gassner@hdff.org.
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