The prolonged saga

COMMENTARY

Published: 6/02/2012 at 03:11 AM
Newspaper section: News

Who could have imagined that the violence in the troubled South would have reached the point that it has today? It seems to be dragging on for a long time, but hopefully not forever.

Pattani town and other southern border cities and district towns were once quite safe 20 years ago, as shootings, bombings and kidnappings were limited to remote and jungle areas. That is the scene of the past which will never return. Now almost every inch in the southernmost provinces minus Satun is equally vulnerable to violence by insurgents.

A road from Pattani town to Prince of Songkhla University's Pattani campus is not safe as it used to be. Neither is Road 410 from Pattani to neighbouring Yala, which is considered the most dangerous road in the area as it has recorded the highest rate of attacks by far.

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About the author

: Writer: Saritdet Marukatat; Position: Opinion-Editorial Pages Editor

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ajarnchan
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Discussion 10 : 06/02/2012 at 02:16 PM10
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Most of the Muslims I know claim that Yala, Naratiwat and Pattani have a right to independence, for historical reasons, but they do not want it to become an extremist enclave. The more extreme people we have met also lay claim to Songkla and Satun, cutting Thailand off from Malaysis totally. The real die-hards also want Krabi, Phuket and then basically all the coastal part to Ranong. There are concentrations of Muslims in all those areas, though they are not the majority, YET.

A few years ago, on the mountain border with Burma, where the 'hill-tribe' villages are, we were shocked to come across Islamic 'separatists' insinuating themselves into the refugee camps and trying to build support and 'forward bases'. There are those of that faith who really do claim the entire world, literally, and are working towards that objective. Most are decent hard working, God fearing people and good neighbours, some are not and seek continual confrontation.
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samut
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Discussion 9 : 06/02/2012 at 01:41 PM9
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Autonomy is for sure not the answer and the majority of people Muslims and Buddhists alike don’t want it. What the want is to enjoy the benefits like Thai’s in other provinces especially Bangkok do and a Government who listen to their demands. This so called insurgency is not working for the benefit of the people in the South they have a complete different agenda. Drugs, weapons and human trafficking have been and will always be their goal and they just hid behind a religious issue. And this is welcomed by a relatively small group of extreme fanatics who provide brainwashed youths to do the shooting. This is by the way the same problem in the Southern Philippines; these people are criminals not revolutionaries.
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ianprince
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Discussion 8 : 06/02/2012 at 01:14 PM8
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Although most Muslim are good people, there is still a small group of separatise which the That Army should get ride.

Else they will cause a split of Thailand into 2 countries.
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barryw
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Discussion 7 : 06/02/2012 at 11:26 AM7
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Just give these insurgents what they want, their own 'country'. Then cut off all air, transport, utilities etc and let them organise their own. If they want independence from Thailand let them have it and see how they cope.
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Eric
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Discussion 6 : 06/02/2012 at 10:54 AM6
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This southern insurgency will be prolonged and intractable if the govnment continues to be occupied with its own survival and the army more focused on military promotion, lucrative procurement contracts and legal immunity for their actions in the south. The South is crying out loud for a distinct regional identity and communal sense of grievance due to overall lack of justice.
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med142
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Discussion 5 : 06/02/2012 at 10:52 AM5
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Having served in NI in the early 70,s. There can only be discussion by all parties involved to resolve a problem such as this.But there are always the few that do not want peace and will do anything to prevent this.They have there own agenda.Any life lost is one to many.The military should be pulled out and a local military force formed.Sometimes when i read about the shootings etc, i think that, why did they do that, it gained nothing,just another family bereaved and a loss of life to no purpose. Could there also be drug barons involved? If all parties involved want peace then have a ceasfire.This is a situation that will not go away ever,unless the parties involved want it to.The peacefull people are the victims always.
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joe123x1
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Discussion 4 : 06/02/2012 at 10:22 AM4
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Dont blame the army, the army is not responsible to solve this problem, the politician in BANGKOK are to be blamed since they are not capable to get this under control, maybe they are too busy with the mega projects and mega kickbacks in the Bangkok area. A first approach should be to talk tough with Malaysia since money and support is channeled through Malaysia. Thailand should also solve the conflict with Saudi Arabia first, because from there most of the financing is coming. Thai politicians are not capable to handle such things. For a in between send some responsible people (not politicians they don't understand anything) to the Philippines for info, especially to Mindanao which has a very similar problem to get the stuff under control at least a bit, they got it under control. Also the presence of uniformed personal must be increased dramatically in the south etc. Things must be finished from A-Z not only always started and lost in nowhere in between.
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ajarnchan
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Discussion 3 : 06/02/2012 at 07:47 AM3
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As a 'survivor' of the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland I and my family identify strongly with the dreadful events in and around Pattani. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to everyone affected. Ourselves, and relatives around Thailand's southern regions, have noticed a major influx of 'refugees'. In fact it seems that a very large number of those escaping the violence are Muslim Thais. They don't support the separatists, and they don't want to live in a war zone. We all try hard to see the 'logic' of the current terror campaign, but that is not easy. It is surely time for some authority, be it the Government or even the UN or ASEAN to lend a hand, organise talks and bring this to an end. It will not be quick or easy to resolve, but somebody urgently needs to make a start.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 2 : 06/02/2012 at 07:30 AM2
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> Yet it is one of the stated aims of the insurgents to expell all non-Muslims from the provinces and seize their property. Looks like it is succeeding. Beware of religious fanatics of all beliefs.
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khunbj
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Discussion 1 : 06/02/2012 at 06:19 AM1
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Don't blame the Army, Armies cannot provide peace not here or anywhere else for that matter . Only thing that would work in the deep south would be autonomy for the restive provinces and support from the rest of Thailand to develop this part of Thailand ... police and military could then concentrate on border control instead.
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The prolonged saga | Bangkok Post: opinion