WorldlyAscetic

Anyone know of a reliable brand of mangosteen extract I can get in Bangkok? Scoured Watsons but couldn't find any.

My personal favorite: Opening The Door of Your Heart, by Ajahn Brahm. It's a collection of short stories that elucidate the 'timeless wisdom of the Buddha's teachings.' Highly recommended.

According to my sources it's not the dawahs or other outside agents (no connection with JI or Al-Q either) directing the violence in the south but rather mafia using Islam as a front.

I know this isn't Buddhism related, but it is interesting and I enjoyed reading your perspective.

I've been told by two different generals I know, from two differnt branches of the service, and who don't know each other, that some of the uprisings/violence is funded by Singaporean interests to create general instability in the region so that plans for a Kra Isthmus canal never resurface, which would be DEVASTATING to Singapores economy. Sorry for going OT.

Sorry for going off topic, but it has been suggested that building the Thai Canal would actually bring peace to the southern regions by creating more jobs and improving the livelihood of local Thai Muslims:

"The Thai Canal will solve the problems in the 3 southernmost provinces softly, peacefully and permanently because the Thai Canal will create jobs, income, and prosperity throughout the southern part of Thailand. 3-4 million Thai citizens will move there to start a new generation of businesses by new generation citizens. These citizens will be a force stronger than an army that will protect the Kingdom of Thailand from any influences or obstacles.'

(Lifted from: http://www.thai-canal.org/answer01E.htm#ans5E )

As for the theory that Singaporean interests are actually funding the insurgency, I think it's a bit far-fetched.