Army warns Buddhists in deep South to be extra-vigilant following recent killings of suspected insurgents

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

Fourth Army Area Commander Lt-General Pornsak Poolsawat on Tuesday met representatives of Thai Buddhists in the southern border provinces to brief them on security measures and warn them to be more vigilant following the recent killings of suspected insurgents.

 

The briefing took place in the meeting hall of the Forward Command of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Area 4.

 

In attendance were representatives of Buddhist monks, lay Buddhists and village defence volunteers from Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces and four districts of Songkhla.

 

Pornsak told the representatives that the southern Army and southern ISOC would do their utmost to ensure security for some 2 million Buddhists in the deep South.

 

He said he had instructed Army agencies under his command to secure areas in the region so that people could live normal lives.

 

The Army will also step up crackdowns on drug-trafficking due to the harmful effects of narcotics, especially on youths and children, the commander added.

 

Moreover, the southern Army will also focus on promoting secular society in the deep South, so that people with different faiths could live in harmony in the region, he told the Buddhists.

 

“I’ve instructed Army personnel to step up security measures because we have recently enforced the law against insurgents, resulting in deaths,” Pornsak said. “So, I have concerns that Thai Buddhists will become symbolic targets of the insurgents.”

 

The southern Army chief said the stepped-up measures would focus on participation by local security forces and villagers, and that the Army would increase efficiency at military-police-civilian checkpoints in 1,970 villages.

 

The Army will also provide patrol units for roads where insurgents may launch attacks, and patrolling will be carried out day and night, he added.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30365226

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-05

Talk to more insurgent groups, Buddhists urge govt

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

BUDDHISTS in the deep South yesterday urged the government to start peace talks with various insurgent groups. 

 

At present, the government has only managed to make contact with the Mara Patani, a separatist umbrella group of questionable influence in the region.

 

“Of course, the government should continue its peace dialogue with Mara Patani but given that the group may not cover all active insurgents, the government should talk to other groups too,” said Rakchart Suwan, chairman of the Buddhist Network for Peace. 

 

He was speaking ahead of attending a meeting with the Fourth Army Region’s chief, Lt-General Pornsak Poonsawat. 

 

Pornsak, whose jurisdiction covers the deep South, invited representatives of Buddhists and monks to the meeting to exchange views, as the Army explored ways to end the violence, which has claimed thousands of lives, including monks.

 

The four southern border provinces of Thailand – Yala, Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat – are home to more than two million people. Most are Muslims, while in the rest of the country, most Thais are Buddhists. “I am in pain every time something bad happens to Buddhists,” Pornsak said. Earlier this year, insurgents killed several monks at a temple in Narathiwat province. 

 

Pornsak said his unit would focus on providing public safety, solving drug problems and promoting a multicultural society in the region. 

 

“We hope people, of all races and religions, can live together peacefully,” he said. 

 

Pornsak admitted that he had become worried about Buddhists being singled out as symbolic targets. 

 

He vowed to boost the efficiency of checkpoints, which are staffed by security officials and volunteers. 

 

For his part, Rakchart said false rumours were now spreading on social media, causing confusion and conflict. 

 

“So, we believe efforts must be made to clear up misunderstandings,” he said.

 

He added that unmanned security booths should be removed so as to bolster a climate of peace. 

 

“As well, we believe development efforts should become more comprehensive,” he noted.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30365226

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-06

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

some 2 million Buddhists in the deep South.

Ever wonder why there are so many Buddhists in the "deep South" in the first place when it was originally 100% Muslim?

8 hours ago, webfact said:

the government has only managed to make contact with the Mara Patani, a separatist umbrella group of questionable influence in the region.

This is what the Prayut government has accomplished after being in power for 5 years.

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Ever wonder why there are so many Buddhists in the "deep South" in the first place when it was originally 100% Muslim?

Deliberate settlement by the government.

14 hours ago, webfact said:

“We hope people, of all races and religions, can live together peacefully,” he said. 

That's a forlorn hope. There's one religion popular in the region whose adherents have been unable to live peacefully with people from any other religion wherever they go in the world. 

Some troll posts and the replies have been removed.