Islamic Violence in the South of Thailand

[fish2plus2]

I am creaating this thread because I do not think this information is widely (if at all) discussed in the Western media. Thailand is a buddhist country, but they are dealing with similar problems as Israel and France are facing in regards to minority Islamic extremists.

Wikipedia Link with all relative information

Cliff Notes Over 80% of the population in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat continue to adhere to Islam. However, the Pattani Malays have little sense of connection with the Malays of modern Malaysia, and they speak a distinct local version of the language known as Yawi.

Renewed agitation began in the 1990s, led by Malay intellectuals influenced by revolutionary and Islamist ideas from the Middle East .

There has been a separatist movement in Pattani since at least the 1930s.

In April 2004, troops killed over 100 Muslim men in Yala province who attacked well-defended police stations with only light weapons, in what police described as "suicidal" attacks.

In 2004 General Panlop Pinmanee said that there were only 500 hard-core insurgents. Other estimates say there as many as 15,000 armed insurgents.

Unfortunately, the situation to deteriorated from 2005 to 2006, with escalating violence , especially among teachers and civilians. **Everyday on the nightly news they will give a report on the daily killings and violence in the south. Buddhist teachers are often kidnipped and beheaded.**

On March 2005, respected former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun was appointed as chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission Anand finally submitted the NRC's recommendations on 5 June 2006:

Introducing Islamic law
Making ethnic Pattani-Malay (Yawi) as a working language in the region
Establishing an unarmed peacekeeping force
Establishing a Peaceful Strategic Administrative Centre for Southern Border Provinces

the recommendations were vigorously opposed by Prem Tinsulanonda, the President of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Privy Council, who stated "We cannot accept that [proposal] as we are Thai. The country is Thai and the language is Thai... We have to be proud to be Thai and have the Thai language as the sole national language"

On 1 September 2006, General Sonthi announced that he would break with the government no-negotiation policy. However, he noted that "We still don't know who is the real head of the militants we are fighting with."

From January 2004 to October 2006, 1,815 people were killed and 2,729 were wounded in the insurgency.

Feb 20 : In their most significant act of economic terrorism and arson to date, insurgents burned down the Southland Rubber warehouse in Yala, destroying 400 million baht worth of rubber and engulfing Yala city in a dense cloud of black smoke for 12 hours.

During the Chinese New Year weekend, insurgents executed 38 bombing attacks, 26 cases of arson, and seven ambushes. The bombings targeted hotels, karaoke bars, power grids and commercial sites. Two public schools were torched.

My Opinions The Thai government has done a very poor job at controlling the unrest, but I have to be sympathetic towards them. It must be horrible to live in a place where there is daily violence and you do not even know who is causing exactly. But what are you supposed to do, reward terrorists by giving up part of your country to them?

[adsman]

Interesting post. I'm surprised that this isn't getting any media coverage here in Europe considering how Thailand is such a huge holiday destination for Europeans.

[Victor]

"But what are you supposed to do, reward terrorists by giving up part of your country to them? "

or just kill them all.

[fish2plus2]

[ QUOTE ]
"But what are you supposed to do, reward terrorists by giving up part of your country to them? "

or just kill them all.

[/ QUOTE ]

can you give some examples of countries where this worked?

[edfurlong]

The US?

[fish2plus2]

All twelve of American's terrorists died on September 11th.
Thailand's situation is different.

[registrar]

[ QUOTE ]
All twelve of American's terrorists died on September 11th.
Thailand's situation is different.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Thai position on the Southern Malay states is pretty unsustainable. I am unclear whether the seperatists want independence or to join Malaysia but, whatever, there is no historical or moral case for Thai control of this region and it creates huge problems for what is otherwise a coherent and relatively homogeneous nation state.

[Arnfinn Madsen]

It is discussed in Norwegian media, I guess it is because it is a popular tourist destination for Norwegians. But what exactly do you think is similar to France or Israel? It seems to me it is very different, that only the religion is the common element.

[lapoker17]

[ QUOTE ]

"But what are you supposed to do, reward terrorists by giving up part of your country to them? "

or just kill them all.



can you give some examples of countries where this worked?


[/ QUOTE ]

peru baby.

[Colt McCoy]

Just write a news story suggesting these extremists have weapons of mass destruction at their disposal. Submit it for publication. Then wait for the U.S. to take care of it.