Get tough with trawlers, win over Muslims

COMMENTARY

Get tough with trawlers, win over Muslims

Published: 20 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Want to win the hearts and minds of the Malay Muslims in the restive South? Stop thinking about using military force. Think instead of how to give them back their region's once abundant food.

Here's where to start: Get tough with the trawlers. I'm not joking.

Much has been said about the locals' deep resentment rooted in the history of the old Patani kingdom being annexed by force by Bangkok. Who can deny the southern Muslims' simmering pain when they are treated like second-class citizens? But what made it explode into violence?

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ianprince
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Discussion 8 : 20 Feb 2013 at 19.588
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The Thai army did a good job in keeping South Thailand peaceful. With the Buddhist army, South Thailand could be a warring state like Afghanistan.
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Victor
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Discussion 7 : 20 Feb 2013 at 16.337
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What the writer said is true, but I think it ranks second after prejudice.
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lungstib
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Discussion 6 : 20 Feb 2013 at 13.226
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Behind the Smile, written by Sanitsuda 22 years ago described this process and predicted it would lead to violence. Still worth reading now.
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tcr
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Discussion 5 : 20 Feb 2013 at 11.305
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Excellent article. Thanks.
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Newspeak
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Discussion 4 : 20 Feb 2013 at 11.014
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Excellent article indeed, should be compulsory reading for all muslim-bashers and governement officials involved with the 'solution' of the problems in the south!
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aodaddyo
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Discussion 3 : 20 Feb 2013 at 10.363
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Mrs. Sanitsuda Ekachai's voice should be heard in Thailand !! If the Southern tragedy really is happening because of this mind-blowing corruption by - ''Outsiders? Yes. Rich, influential and corrupt? Yes. Buddhists? Yes.'' - who have 'stolen' the food sources of the southern people...
then this article should be in the HEADLINES all over the country tomorrow, in Thai-language, for everybody to know !!
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jck
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Discussion 2 : 20 Feb 2013 at 09.062
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Excellent article that clearly points out both the greed of irresponsible trawler operators and ineffective policing of the seas that is so damaging not only to local fishermen but to the entire environment. Greed, corruption, and non-existent policing sums up this disgraceful situation, but nothing will change with the current crop of powerful politicians.
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Birdie
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Discussion 1 : 20 Feb 2013 at 07.531
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This article boils down to one answer and that is Thailand has a terribly corrupted government for the making of their own problem. This corruption had already caused thousands of lives to date.
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Get tough with trawlers, win over Muslims | Bangkok Post: opinion