Malaysian PM Will Visit Thailand In Mid February

[Jai Dee]

Malaysian PM will visit Thailand in mid February

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will pay an official visit to Thailand from February 11th to 13th.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont andDeputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sawanit Kongsiri (สวนิต คงสิริ) and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Krit Kanchanakunchorn (กฤษณ์ กาญจนกุญชร) discussed the Malaysian Prime Minister's welcoming preparation at the Government House yesterday (Feb 8).

Prime Minister Surayud said the Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister addressed his concern that the three southern provinces of Thailand are a sanctuary for the insurgents.

However, both countries will help solve the southern unrest and the nine bombings in Bangkok and Nonthaburi province.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

Neighbourly help in deep South

The visit of Malaysia's PM gives the govt a chance to partner with his country to end southern insurgency

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is paying a two-day visit to Thailand this weekend. His trip comes at a time when the Kingdom has been trying hard to improve the dire situation in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. As a neighbouring Muslim country, dialogue and cooperation with Malaysia are pivotal to a sustainable long-term solution in the troubled South, as well as efforts to jointly develop the areas that straddle the two countries.

Since the September 19 coup, huge changes have been taking place in the deep South. The government has deployed a softer and more liberal approach, which local communities and civil society organisations have advocated for a long time. The National Reconciliation Commission also endorsed a similar approach.

Somehow, deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra failed to heed this advice or implement any of these useful recommendations. Instead, he thought that forceful action would be enough to contain the violence and help end the long-standing conflict. During his tenure, Thaksin was the main force responsible for perpetuating the conflict. He kept dispatching his friends and associates from the police force to the area. After all, the problems in the South kept the public's mind off of the daily problems confronting the government.

All of this seems to have changed under the leadership of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. He is neutral and has no political ambitions, so it has been easy for him to initiate change. Immediately after taking power, he made a historic apology to citizens living in the three southernmost provinces for all of the wrongs that previous governments had committed against them. In the past four months, he has tried to go beyond mere rhetoric with both military and non-military initiatives. Restoring order and bringing peace and prosperity to the troubled South is a top priority of the Surayud government.

In order to contain the threat of insurgents, the government has revived the useful Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre, which was shut down in 2002.

Now stakeholders in the deep South are coming back, together with their lists of problems and prospects. Security forces, which had been made up of police officials put there by the previous government, have been withdrawn and professional military personnel are in place to provide safety and security.

Tangible programmes to boost the economic conditions in the area, including income-generating schemes for southerners, are producing positive results. Likewise, measures to promote education both in modern and traditional institutions are being carried out simultaneously. Community building and an overall sense of trust is increasing, while the government is working closely with civil-society organisations to address issues related to injustice, wrongful arrests of Thai-Muslims and compensation for the families of victims of the Kru Se Mosque and Tak Bai incidents.

But there is only so much that Thailand can achieve alone. With sincere assistance from Malaysia, the country is capable of doing much more. Take, for instance, citizens holding dual nationality. Each side must encourage their own people to respect and be loyal to the land they are living in. They can live on either side of the border, earn their living, and live in peace. They can prosper together. To do that, support from the governments of both countries is crucial.

Furthermore, there are areas where Thailand and Malaysia can come together to initiate and boost the confidence and well-being of southerners. One of these areas is human resources development in pondok schools, especially in the areas of occupational training, including information technology. Providing them with this basic level of assistance would increase the competitiveness of Thai-Malays studying in pondok schools and under other forms of traditional schooling.

After all, a lack of knowledge, proper training and jobs is often cited as reasons for discontent in the deep South. Malaysia's vast knowledge in information technology and cyberspace would be most helpful in shoring up this lack of knowledge. We must afford peace the opportunity to take root in the deep South, but to do that the two prime ministers must understand that the dividend of peace can grow from their encounter.

Editorial Opinion from The Nation - 10 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

Building bridges between Thailand and Malaysia

The official visit by the Malaysian prime minister to Thailand has special significance in a number of ways.

For Malaysia, which is celebrating 50 years of independence from its colonial masters, this year is symbolic of the trials and tribulations of a nation eagerly waiting to take its place in the developed world. This visit also coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The relationship thus far has been described as cordial but it is still a long way off from realising its full potential.

Historical ties, Asean-kinship and geographical proximity warrant closer relations, but recent events have dampened that prospect. Despite the many advances and overtures from leaders of both nations, any real achievement in bilateral relations is stalled due to the insurgency in Thailand's South, in which Malaysia is steadily becoming embroiled.

Perhaps our greatest commonality is in the security threat posed in the predominantly Muslim provinces of Thailand's deep South. Pundits argue that 2007 will be a delicate period that will ultimately influence the outcome of the clash with the separatist groups. The investigation into leads that may link southern Thailand Muslim insurgents to the New Year's Eve bomb blasts paints a bleak picture of this conflict.

Axiomatic of the current state of affairs of the two countries, prime ministers Abdullah Badawi and Surayud Chulanont will have to tackle the key issues head on. The strained relations between Malaysia and Thailand during former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's administration have induced a climate of suspicion and distrust not just between the leaders but also among the Thai people as well as the Malaysians.

Thus, here lies the focus of cooperation under present circumstances as well as the cause that divides. Surayud Chulanont's support for a proposed 27-kilometre wall in Betong, which is situated in the heart of the unrest raging on in the southern province of Yala, to curb smuggling and illegal border crossings has been highlighted in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysians are watching closely to see whether Badawi will raise this issue with Surayud. There are concerns that the proposed wall will have an adverse effect on the livelihood of locals as well as further restrict the interaction between Malays in the northern states of Malaysia, with whom the Thai Muslims there have legitimate family bonds. Scepticism concerning the wall, which many here view as a human rights issue, is gaining support.

The way forward is to make the small strides that are of great importance to improving bilateral relations in this context. The Joint Development Strategy spearheaded by the Thailand-Malaysia Committee to develop better living standards for people in the five southern provinces of Thailand (Songkhla, Yala, Satun, Pattani and Narathiwat) as well as four states of Malaysia (Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and parts of Perak) is an endeavour not fully appreciated by the masses in Malaysia. Building bridges such as the Bukit Bunga Buketa - connecting the Waeng district in Narathiwat and the Jeli district in Kelantan - is indeed a positive step. Badawi's administration style of building bridges across communities should sit well with Bangkok and pave the way forward.

However, unceasing disputes over border demarcation and political mistrust over border issues may alter the public's perception of cooperation efforts under the Joint Development Strategy Action Plan. The general population in Malaysia is impatient at the slow pace of progress as far as the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) is concerned. Thus, the goodwill between the two leaders must be translated into further tangible results.

Other security issues - such as the dual-citizenship problem, drugs and gun smuggling, human trafficking as well as border boundary disputes - are long-standing. Socio-economic imperatives for the troubled regions that lie in proximity with Malaysia will be impeded by national security concerns.

Good will could give way to lethargy among officials of both nations. In this instance, there may arise a misconception that Malaysians in general would prefer any arrangement that benefits the troubled provinces of Thailand. While to an extent that may be true, there has always been a realisation amongst Malaysian officials that criminal and extreme elements couched under the guise of Islam who flourish amidst the conflict in the South of Thailand have no place in our foreign policy.

A case in point is a violent armed robbery of a popular goldsmith chain in Kuala Lumpur recently. Malaysian police believe that the gang members used forged travel documents to enter Malaysia to commit violent robberies. Thus, Malaysians abhor any threat to the safety of their people and support any move to fight crime in this context.

Last year, bilateral trade relations stood at Bt507 million and the volume of Malaysian investment in Thailand was around Bt20 million, an increase of approximately 55 per cent from 2005. Although these figures signify the growing economic relationship between the two countries, the numbers indicate that much needs to be done to enhance our economic cooperation. As compared to many other countries that Malaysia has economic ties with, the fact remains that we are only at minimal levels of cooperation when viewed in the light of the huge potential of both nations. We must enhance such ties with our closest neighbour, upon whom our future relies. As the measure of a bridge is in its very foundations, perhaps in this case Thailand and Malaysia can build on its long and often troubled relationship for a better future for both nations.

Editorial Opinion from The Nation - 10 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

Abdullah Begins Three-day Visit To Thailand Tomorrow

A new government, a fresh hope and warming ties are set to mark the much-awaited three-day visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Thailand beginning tomorrow.

While strengthening bilateral ties and expanding economic cooperation, especially in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle continue to be discussed during leaders' summits, the southern Thai conflict is certainly the main agenda on the latest menu.

Starting with an informal meeting at this tourist resort island where Abdullah will join his Thai counterpart Surayud Chulanont for a round of golf and dinner before settling down for more serious discussions in Bangkok on Monday. The visit comes amid warming up of ties between the two neighbours.

Abdullah's entourage will include Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, three menteris besar and high-ranking government officials.

Surayud, who visited Malaysia on Oct 18, less than three weeks after assuming premiership following the Sept 19 coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has sought Abdullah's help to restore peace in the Muslim- majority southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat where close to 2,000 people have died in the unrest.

"The informal meeting in Phuket will provide a good chance for both of them to exchange views and discuss all issues of common interests. They have met on several occasions and have acquainted well with each other," said Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Kitti Wasinondh.

In fact, the warm ties enjoyed by both leaders in such a short period has led to improved bilateral relations between the two neighbours which were strained over the past two years, largely due to the southern unrest.

During Thaksin's administration, many government officials had often accused Malaysia of harbouring insurgents and failing to cooperate in arresting suspected separatists, something that Malaysian leaders had denied outright.

In August 2005, diplomatic ties soured when 131 Thai Muslims from Narathiwat fled to Kelantan to seek refuge. Except for one who was handed to the Thai police in late 2005, the rest refused to return and are being held in Terengganu.

Syed Hamid said in Kuala Lumpur the refugees' fate would be discussed in Bangkok and urged Thailand not to allow the violence in the south to turn the region into a hotbed for terrorist groups.

Both sides would also discuss the plan to extend the security wall along their common border and Joint Development Strategy for the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle, including the restive south.

The three southern provinces, where separatists are fighting for independence from the central government for decades, saw peace restored in the 1980s but insurgency erupted again in January 2004.

Bangkok have despatched more than 20,000 troops to the restive region but was facing difficulties to trace the insurgents who launched guerilla-style attacks.

The new government under Surayud had received praises for its more conciliatory approach than that of Thaksin's government, including acknowledging extra-judicial killings, scrapping of the blacklist and apology over the gross violations of human rights at Tak Bai and Kru Se.

But still violence continued unabated, with more civilians on the casualty lists, including teachers whose numbers rose to more than 60 in the last three years.

Source: Bernama - 10 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

Thai and Malaysian Prime Ministers meet in Phuket before official talks in Bangkok today

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is now on an official visit to Thailand, and met with Thai Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont in Phuket yesterday, before flying to Bangkok for official talks today.

The Malaysian Prime Minister arrived at Phuket International Airport at 11.30am yesterday, where he was welcomed by Thai Foreign Minister Nit Piboonsongkram and Phuket Governor Nirand Galayanamit. He then checked in at JW Marriot Phuket Resort & Spa.

At 1.30pm the Malaysian PM went to Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa where he was warmly welcomed by Premier General Surayud before teeing off at the 18 hole golf course, amidst beautiful scenery. General Surand also stayed overnight at Mission Hills.

Yesterday evening the Thai PM hosted a dinner reception in honour of the Malaysian PM, at Ginja Taste Restaurant at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa.

The Malaysian PM’s visit to Thailand followed the Thai PM’s visit to Malaysia in October last year.

It is expected to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries. Bilateral discussions are expected to cover operations on security, southern border issues, cooperation on economy, society and culture, under the joint development strategy, and in the Indonesia Malaysia Thailand growth triangle, dual nationality as well as exchange knowledge and experiences on human development in the southern border region.

Source: Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City - 12 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

Malaysian PM arrives in Thailand for talks on violence in Thai south

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrived in Thailand's southern Phuket province Sunday for a three-day official visit, during which he will hold talks with his Thai counterpart Surayud Chulanont on ways to end unabated militant violence in the region.

According to Thai News Agency (TNA), some major issues to be discussed by the two leaders include Malaysia's help in restoring peace in Thailand's three southernmost Muslim-dominant provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, where nearly 2,000 people have died in the unrest since it re-erupted in January 2004.

The Thai government has dispatched more than 20,000 troops to the troubled region but is facing difficulties to trace the militants who launch guerrilla-style attacks.

Other issues to be raised are stepping up efforts to sort out the problem of dual citizenship to enable authorities monitor movements of criminals crisscrossing the common border, strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, social and culture, and exchanging knowledge on developing human resources in these Thailand's southernmost provinces.

Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had periodically accused Malaysia of harboring insurgents and failing to cooperate in the battle against the militants, but relations seem to improve as the Thai government has adopted a more conciliatory approach towards the southern violence and seeks help from Malaysia to address the trouble, the TNA said.

Source: Xinhua - 12 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

M'sian, Thai PMs discuss southern insurgency

Bangkok to seek KL assistance in bid to contain the violence

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi teed off his visit to Thailand with 18 holes of golf on Phuket with counterpart Surayud Chulanont yesterday.

The two held informal discussions during the round ahead of official bilateral talks in Bangkok today. They later dined together.

Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram and counterpart Syed Hamid Albar made up the foursome.

The southern insurgency topped the agenda.

The leaders discussed a possible return of 130 Narathiwat Muslims who sought refuge in Malaysia in 2005 claiming persecution by the military. Thailand has previously tried unsuccessfully to secure their repatriation.

Bangkok will seek cooperation from Kuala Lumpur in a bid to contain violence in the deep South that has killed some 2,000 people in three years.

Kuala Lumpur considers the insurgency a domestic issue for Thailand but is worried it could spill across the border.

Syed warned earlier of the danger that international terrorists might use the unrest to orchestrate violence. Bangkok rejected the concerns.

The two leaders will resume talks in a formal setting in Bangkok today.

The agenda includes bilateral development and the Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Growth Triangle project, according to a Foreign Ministry source.

Abdullah departs tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in the South yesterday, three people were killed in a Yala shooting and another injured in an attack on a train in Narathiwat.

Three Muslims in Yala's Than To district were shot dead about 7.30am while riding to work at a rubber plantation. Duramae Samae, his wife Sitisohroh Nimu and mother-in-law Koriya Baha were found dead on a back road.

Police believe insurgents seeking to keep tensions high were responsible.

A State Railway of Thailand official was injured when suspected militants sprayed automatic rifle fire at a train travelling through Narathiwat's Rangae district.

Police said insurgents ambushed the train as it left Ban Salotadae station. It was travelling from Yala to Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat.

Source: The Nation - 12 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

Thailand and Malaysia are ready to cooperate to solve southern unrest

Interior Minister Aree Wongaraya pointed out that the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Thailand shows that the bilateral relationship between both countries is still strong and stable. He said both countries are ready to work together to solve the ongoing southern unrest.

Mr. Aree delivered a welcoming speech to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Royal Thai Air Force Airport today (Feb 12), saying his official visit has proven that both nations continue to have good relations and the Thai and Malaysian governments do not have problems with each other. Mr. Aree further stated that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi are also close friends and they directly call up each other to discuss various issues. Mr. Aree said he is responsible for administering the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Organization (SBPAC). The SBPAC is coordinating with the Malaysian authority in tackling the southern unrest.

Mr. Aree also commented on Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s suggestion that the Thai government should negotiate with the ringleaders and insurgents in the deep South and the Thai military should be withdrawn from the region. Mr. Aree said this is an issue for high-ranking officials to discuss, and the Thai government should listen to the suggestions and comments on the southern unrest from the government of Malaysia directly.

The Interior Minister also affirmed that the Thai government is ready to welcome the 130 Thai immigrants in Malaysia. However, it would depend on their decisions to return to their homeland, and their decisions will not affect the bilateral relations of both countries. He said the Thai government is well aware that the Malaysian government is prepared to send the immigrants back to Thailand, and the Thai government is willing to welcome them.

In addition, Mr. Aree said the SBPAC has not received any report that a group of Thai-Muslims submitted a document to an international human rights organization, claiming that a group of Thai army officers beaten the Thai-Muslims in the three southern border provinces. However, Mr. Aree indicated that as far as he knows, it is only an accusation and they have the right to complain. The government is currently looking into the complaint and considers whether it will give explanation to the organization, to prevent the national image from being tainted.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

Malaysia And Thailand To Accelerate Development In Border Areas

BANGKOK, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Malaysia is willing to work closely with Thailand to bring stability to the restive southern Thai provinces through acceleration of economic and social development as well as training of youths and religious teachers.

The Malaysian Prime Minister said as an immediate neighbour, Malaysia was very concerned with what was happening in the southern provinces, adding that the conflict was a delicate and complex issue that would take time to resolve.

"It would take time to win the hearts and minds of the people. We believe that when there is stability, there will be greater economic activity leading to greater prosperity. Once there is stability and prosperity, the task of securing an enduring peace in the area will become more feasible," he said in his written answer to questions posed by Bangkok Post in conjunction with his ongoing visit to the Kingdom.

But he stressed that since the area of conflict was within the sovereign territory of Thailand, Malaysia would only be able to participate in ways that the Thai Government considered appropriate or suitable.

Abdullah, who met his Thai counterpart Surayud Chulanont for an informal meeting in Phuket yesterday ahead of bilateral talks here today, said both countries agreed that poverty and meagre economic development in the border areas were among the contributing factors.

Surayud, who assumed the premiership in October following the Sept 19 coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has sought Abdullah's help to restore peace in the Muslim-majority southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat where close to 2,000 people have died in the unrest.

Abdullah said the Joint Development Strategy (JDS) for Border Areas was established precisely to develop the economy and improve the living standards and social conditions of the people living in the common border areas but admitted that it had not been progressing as fast as it was expected.

"I believe one of the remedial steps to be taken is to concentrate on projects which are clearly doable, cost-effective and viable," he said.

Abdullah said many programmes and projects had been identified under the JDS Action Plan, covering the development of infrastructure and transportation, agriculture, trade and investment, human resource, tourism and people-to-people relations.

The premier said he was happy that the process to build the long-awaited bridge in Bukit Bunga in Jeli, Kelantan and in Ban Buketa in the Waeng district in Narathiwat had begun, adding that construction on the Malaysian side had started.

"The bridge, which is scheduled to be completed in September 2007, is indeed a symbolic and concrete step towards linking the two peoples and promoting free flow of business on both sides," he said.

Furthermore, he said Malaysia was training 34 participants from the southern provinces under the GIATMARA entrepreneur development programme.

But Abdullah cautioned that the success of the JDS was dependent not only upon the continuous support and commitment of both governments but more importantly by the people on the ground who must have confidence in the sincerity and commitment of their respective governments in bringing development to them.

On the offer to train religious teachers in the south, Abdullah said the Malay people in Malaysia and in Southern Thailand shared the same religion, they practised common customs and had legitimate family ties.

He said it could be done through a government-to-government basis as well as on a people-to-people basis, adding that Malaysia was also willing to send qualified spiritual leaders to educate the people there on Islam Hadhari.

Malaysia's other assistance would be on human resource development in the pondok schools, especially in the areas of occupational training, including information technology as this would help raise the level of teaching and increase the competitiveness of the pondok schools there.

Asked if resolving the dual-citizenship issue would help relieve the security problems in the south, Abdullah said it was an on-going process that needed attention on both sides, adding that both countries did not recognise such a privilege.

On Surayud's plan to extend the security wall along the two countries' border to curb the problem of Thai insurgents using Malaysia as a safe haven, Abdullah said Malaysia was ready to listen to the proposal.

To a question on what he hoped to achieve from the three-day visit, Abdullah said he was looking forward towards achieving an agreement to intensify cooperative endeavours which were already ongoing, in the political and security fields as well as other areas especially the economic sectors.

Abdullah, stressing that Malaysia had always attached great importance to its relations with Thailand, said both countries must work more closely to strengthen their collaboration under the JDS and move ahead to expand activities in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT).

On former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad's role in brokering talks between Thailand and the southern insurgents that appears to have come to a halt, Abdullah said the Malaysian Government had no problem with any efforts to broker talks between Thailand and the insurgents so long as the Thai Government agreed to them.

Source: Bernama - 12 February 2007