Thailand and Muslim Separatists Reach Agreement for Ceasefire and Conflict Resolution

Thailand's government and Muslim separatist rebels in the country's south have agreed "in principle" on an updated roadmap to end the decades-long conflict, with hopes to agree to a ceasefire covering the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Thai festival of Songkran. The talks, facilitated by Malaysia, have resumed after a year and are set to continue over the next two months to finalize the plan. The conflict, which has claimed over 7,000 lives since 2004, stems from the largely ethnic Malay, Muslim provinces' desire for independence from Thailand.