South suffers fearful Friday

EDITORIAL

Published: 10 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The gangs of the deep South have revived an old and intimidating tactic in recent weeks. Their propagandists and front men have told businesses in the region that Islam forbids work on the Friday day of prayer. Anyone performing commerce on Friday risks violence, the gangs have threatened. Two Fridays ago, a bomb at a Yala gold shop apparently backed up the threats with force.

This is a sad state of affairs, that rapidly became worse. Authorities confirmed from the country's top Islamic authority that there is no such injunction in Islam. The nation's top Muslim went even further, saying, "Threatening people to stop working on a Friday is a violation of their rights." But the threats and intimidation have succeeded in closing markets and shops across the three-province area of the deep South. Even those who defied last Friday found they had almost no customers.

It is actually encouraging that authorities went to the top for advice. There is now no room for dispute about this issue. The Chula Ratchamontri Aziz Pitakkumpol, himself a southerner, said authoritatively and publicly that the Koran has no prohibition on doing business on Friday. That caps all possible disputes on the subject.

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Lazarisbk
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Discussion 6 : 10 Oct 2012 at 15.266
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The message is crystal clear, open business on a Friday you will be shot dead. This is the new law in southern Thailand state.
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mitrapaap
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Discussion 5 : 10 Oct 2012 at 14.155
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"It is certain that small businesses and market sellers want to remain open, and customers need food and supplies on Friday, just as they do on other days."

In many European countries all shops are closed on Sundays and people still eat on Sunday by simply supplying themselves on Saturday for two days. While this is really not a reason that shops must be kept open on Friday, I agree that the reason why they should be closed or why they don't dare to keep open is unacceptable.
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bern1005
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Discussion 4 : 10 Oct 2012 at 12.234
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Even in countries that are primarily Islamic, not all businesses close on Fridays (although most do).
Having said that, the Chula Ratchamontri Aziz Pitakkumpo is a government appointee and can usually be relied on to agree with the government...
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montreal11
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Discussion 3 : 10 Oct 2012 at 09.243
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The terrorist r now in charge in the south ...the proof is there ...they decide when people should work and next they will force some people to do what they want terrorist know now that the goverment and their army r afraid + they know the goverment will do nothing to stop them so why not terrorise all the people in the south ....after all the terrorist r the goverment in the south...Poor Thai people in the south ...you r alone with no protection at all just. try to stay alive ...sorry but the Bkk goverment dont have time to help you ...they r too busy
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oldairman
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Discussion 2 : 10 Oct 2012 at 08.512
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pjt
Whulst I agree with you in principle, in practice I don't think I would be willing to put my life on the line and there is no way that I would consider putting my families life into any unnecessary danger.
Whilst a business and money are good things to have they can be replaced. People on the other hand cannot.
If I were young and single with no ties I might consider it but then again I might believe people and join the other side.
Until you are in that position and HAVE to make a decision you like me, will never know what to do.
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pjt
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Discussion 1 : 10 Oct 2012 at 07.591
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But is it not also that the citizenry has allowed themselves to be intimidated by a few. You cannot expect the government or the security forces to think for you - that you must do for yourself even if at times it involves risk
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South suffers fearful Friday | Bangkok Post: opinion