More Killings In Southern Thailand

[Jai Dee]

Thai foreign minister on official visit to Malaysia

Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram begins a two-day official visit to Malaysia Thursday with the southern violence likely to be a key issue in bilateral talks.

Tharit Charoongwat, Director-General of the Foreign Ministry's Information Department, said in his capacity as ministry spokesman that the foreign minister is making his visit March 22-23 at the

invitation of his Malaysian counterpart Syed Hamid Albar.

Mr. Nitya is scheduled to hold talks with the Malaysian foreign minister on Thursday in the administrative capital Putrajaya, and will meet with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi the following day.

His visit is aimed to further enhance the existing close bilateral relations, following up the recent meeting between both countries' prime ministers in the Thai resort city of Phuket, and the insurgency in Thailand's southern border provinces will be discussed.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar reportedly said Wednesday that Malaysia would not raise the matter of being the mediator in the southern Thailand crisis when he meets with his visiting Thai counterpart Thursday.

Although Malaysia is prepared to mediate, it would not offer itself for that role unless asked by the Thai government, the official Bernama news agency quoted Syed Hamid as saying.

"In bilateral relations, we cannot wilfully offer ourselves. Furthermore, the matter of playing mediator is not something new to us. We have done it many times. We have accepted the role in certain cases

and rejected it in others," the Malaysian foreign minister said.

Mr. Tharit said 24 Thais, who had fled into Malaysia and gave interviews to the Star newspaper in the country that they were intimidated by Thai troops, had already returned to Thailand.

The similar incident occurred in December last year, he said, adding that such an action was believed to be taken by the same group of people.

Asked whether the minister would ask his Malaysian counterpart to clarify reports that the insurgent attacks in the far South were funded by foreigners, Mr. Tharit said Malaysia had given full cooperation in

news and information exchange with Thailand.

Bilateral relations of both countries are very good. Malaysia had the intention to help Thailand solve the southern unrest to ensure mutual trust, he said.

As for 130 Thais, who had fled into Malaysia in 2005 and remained there now, the spokesman said whether or not they would continue to stay in the country or return to Thailand depended on their own decision.

Source: TNA - 22 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Defence Minister offers idea to use special weapons to resolve the South problems

Minister of Defense Boonrawd Somthas (บุญรอด สมทัศน์) has proposed to the Cabinet that special equipments be approved for use in reinforcing operations to solve the unrest in the south, and to allow the Internal Security Operations Command to directly propose requests to the government.

Maj. Gen. Phitsanu Pujchakarn (พิชษณุ ปุจฉาการ), spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, said that the Defense Minister has proposed that the Cabinet approve the use of special equipments such as mobile phone signal disablers, gears for destroying bombs, night vision equipment, hostage-rescue equipment and other necessary equipments. He said that if the needed items and not within the Internal Security Operations Command's annual work plan then it should be able to directly request the needed items from the government.

The spokesperson added that in the Ministry of Defense's meeting of agencies involved with solving the southern unrest, there has been proposal to increase the number of officials who regulate the use of explosives in the mining business, in order to allow for more stringent regulation which would prevent the smuggling of these explosives for use in insurgencies. The Minister of Defence proposes the government meeting to approve the usage of special weapons to support the operation in the deep South.

Spokesman for the Ministry of Defence Major General Pitch-sa-nu Puj- cha-karn (พิชษณุ ปุจฉาการ ) declared the results of the defence meeting that Gen. Boonrawd Somthas (บุญรอด สมทัศน์), the Minister of Defence, had proposed his idea to the cabinet to approve the the usage of special weapons to resolve the violence in the three southern border provinces. However, if the idea is not included in the annual plan of the Internal Security Operations Command, the department could ask the government to include the weapons-related operation in the plan.

Furthermore, the spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said the meeting of departments tasked with resolving the South's problems proposed the idea to increase the commission to control the bombs' usage in mine business in order to prevent the smuggling of bombs to create mishap in the deep South.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Quiet atmosphere in Betong

The atmosphere in Betong district of Yala province is quiet and dull following the dreadful insurgent attack on the passenger bus commuting between Betong and Hat Yai last week. In addition, rumours say the insurgents are plotting to stir up more violence in Betong, triggering fear among many Thai and Malaysian tourists in the area.

Businesses in Betong are not as lively as usual as residents and tourists are afraid to leave their residences and accommodations. Food vendors and public transport services are finding it difficult to carry on their businesses. About 40 food vendors in the Municipality of Betong have not welcomed customers for more than five days, and this ominous tendency is likely to continue for a time being.

Nevertheless, special army units have been deployed to Betong to optimize the security measures, especially along the border areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Malaysian Army Chief confident in Thailand’s strategies to combat terrorism

Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces expresses confidence that the Thai government can resolve the Southern unrest, adding that its strategies to deal with the matter are on the right track.

Deputy Army’s Spokeswoman, Col.Sirichan Ngathong (ศิริจันทร์ งาทอง) reveals that Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces, Gen.Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Aziz bin Hj Zainal, has paid an official visit to Thailand as guest of the Supreme Command Headquarters. During his trip, Gen.Zainal has met Thai Army Commander-in-chief Gen.Sonthi Boonyaratglin to discuss the situation in the three Southern border provinces of Thailand.

The Deputy Army Spokeswoman says the visit of the Malaysian military chief is a good opportunity for Thailand to tighten military relations with the Malaysian Armed Forces. Thailand expects that the visit will also benefit the two countries’ military cooperation in the future.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

SBPAC forms Advisory Council for Peace Building

The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center, or SBPAC, has formed the Advisory Council for Peace Building to solve the ongoing violence in the deep South.

SBPAC Director Pranai Suwannarat says the government has a policy to incorporate all sides to solve the southern unrest and develop the region. He says the Advisory Council for Peace Building has 35 qualified members from the southern provinces, and they are responsible for proposing the solutions to the issues in the South such as education, social, economy, and the use of natural resources in accordance with the local way of life. The council will analyze the problems relating to religion, culture, and equality of people, and the members will listen to public ideas, exchange knowledge, and promote equality and human rights.

Mr. Pranai says the Advisory Council for Peace Building will have its first meeting on March 27th at 9 AM at the SBPAC office. They will select the chairperson and the vice chairperson as well as determine its framework. The council will discuss the apprehensive relations between state officials and public members from different cultures.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 March 2007

[Mid]

Insurgents kill 2 soldiers in South

(BangkokPost.com) - Insurgents opened fire at two soldiers guarding a market in Bacho district of Narathiwat on Saturday.

Both the troops were declared dead from wounds soon after arriving at Bacho hospital.

Police said two extremists who walked among the market crowd suddenly took out firearms and started firing at the two soldiers, hitting each with about two to three shots. Then they took the soldiers' guns before fleeing the scene.

The shooting took place when more than 100 villagers were shopping at the market.

Daily ...........

[Mid]

Two shot dead in Thailand's Muslim south

March 25, 2007 : Last updated 12:46 pm (Thai local time)

PATTANI - Two men have been killed in shooting attacks in Thailand's Muslim-majority south, where a separatist insurgency has raged for three years, police said Sunday.

A 44-year-old man who was an aide to a local Islamic religious leader was shot dead late Saturday in Pattani, one of three provinces along the Malaysian border hit by the unrest, police said.

Another Muslim man was killed in a separate shooting late Saturday in Pattani, police added.

NOT the same poor souls as the post above ...........................

[Mai Krap]

Things aren't always as black and white as some would have you to believe.

Link to article in the Nation

SCHOOL ATTACK

NLA panel to probe shooting

Investigators to look into claims rangers attacked Islamic school

The military will allow an independent body to investigate an allegation by residents that rangers attacked an Islamic boarding school in Yala early this month, the Army said yesterday.

"A panel from the National Legislative Assembly led by General Panthep Phuwanart-nurak will visit the deep South today to begin an investigation," Army spokesman Akra Thiproj said. "We want to clear all doubts."

He said the military had realised local concerns over the attack and therefore agreed to allow an independent panel to investigate the case.

A group of gunmen fired rifles into the school in Ban Taseh on March 9, killing one student and injuring another.

The school is famous among the religious schools, known locally as pondoks, in the predominantly Muslim region, but security officials regard it as a breeding ground for militants.

A school executive who declined to be named said students saw the attackers and knew they were rangers.

"To my disappointment, some of the rangers were Muslim fellows," he said.

Chamroon Den-udom, president of the Islamic Culture Foundation, said the authorities should realise that residents distrusted the rangers and such an attitude was growing.

Residents also suspect rangers attacked another religious school in Songkhla's Saba Yoi district on March 17, when three students were killed and seven others injured.

Saba Yoi residents staged a series of protests last week demanding the authorities clear up the case.

Muslims were angered when officials told the media that the school was not attacked but a bomb accidentally went off while students were practising making explosives.

Chamroom, also a former deputy commander of the Fourth Border Patrol Police Region, urged the government to delay dispatching some 20 companies of rangers to the South next month as local people felt uncomfortable with them.

"The government should spend more time to train the rangers to be well disciplined, rather than heavily equipped, before deployment," he said.

[Mid]

Southerners like curfews, want more

(TNA) - Many local residents in Thailand's restive deep South want a curfew to be imposed in wider areas of the region, Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya said on Monday.

doesn't strike me as a positive ....................................

[Mid]

Muslim leaders urged to speak out against the ongoing violence in deep South

March 26, 2007 : Last updated 05:12 pm (Thai local time)

Islamic leaders throughout the country gathered in Songkhla Monday to call on Muslim teachers and clerics to be more assertive in speaking out against the ongoing violence in the deep south.

this is a positive .........

[Jai Dee]

Betong police revising strategies to curb southern insurgency

Betong district police are revising the offensive strategies of the special operations forces, to ensure that they can provide maximum safety to public members while being responsive to the insurgent attacks.

Today, police officers in Betong district of Yala led by their superintendent, Pol. Col. Songkiet Watakul, are going through the offensive strategies and fine-tuning the training courses. The target is to improve the special operations forces’ performance so they can effectively protect the general public and the state officials while being prepared for possible unrest situations.

The training courses include the ways to deal with the attacks by gunmen on motorcycles, the methods to handle unforeseen attacks, and the tactics to inspect besieged locations. The officers also work on the ways to track down the insurgents.

Pol. Col. Songkiet says the revision will help improve the special operations forces’ performance following their training. He says the southern unrest has taken away many officials’ lives and police must not underestimate the insurgents since the RKK units are living in many communities. Therefore, police have to be alert at all times because every lost of life affects the authority of the state.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Prakit says 4th Army Area Commander to decide on expanding curfew

Secretary General of the Office of the National Security Council Prakit Prachonpachanguig (ประกิจ ประจนปัจจนึก) says the 4th Army Area Commander will take responsibility for deciding on whether a curfew should be announced in other areas of the southern border provinces.

Mr. Prakit says Tharnto (ธารโต) Distict, Yala (ยะลา) Province is not under the curfew. As for the announcement of curfew in Banangsata (บันนังสตา) and Yaha (ยะหา), he says the enforcement of curfew is just temporary, and he says local residents have given good cooperation to authorities.

In regard to a demonstration by anti-coup figures, Mr. Prakit says he is not worried about the interference of the third party as he is confident the authorities are ready to handle the situation. At the same time, he says the government should negotiate with the demonstrators rather than take serious action against them.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 March 2007

[ourmanflint]

Things aren't always as black and white as some would have you to believe.

Link to article in the Nation

Mai Krap

I find it hard to tell wether you are genuinely concerned about the the spin being put on the problems in the south by the likes of analyst Dr. Abuza and others, or are you just another yellow belly apologist for the Islamists in Pattani!

You offer much to debate, but really all you end up doing is confusing the issue by clouding disparate problems, and like the islamists you try to make one problem seem to be something else. Your anti-spin of the situation in Pattani seems to come from some innate sense that only you are right and no one outside of the area could possibly see things more clearly and objectively than you yourself. I can't say this is a very wise stand to take, as it often is the case that an objective view is needed more than a "gut" view from those such as yourself. It is all too easy to become entrenched in local everday life to see above the troubles and the effect they have.

I can see from way over here in the UK, that the troubles in Pattani are not getting any better, but they most definitely are polarising, and thay are doing so across religious divides. This is about Islamism. Nothing else...

Islamic factions have had very great success in getting what they want through violence over the past 60 years, and they have learned to be vigilant and never ceasing in moving towards what it is they want, a total Islamic state. Violence in Islam has become an acceptable tool, it has become accepted as the will of god, why else would these Islamists be on such a ludicrous quest.?

If you cannot accept that this violence has it's root in Islam and that a peaceful outcome to this without massive counter violence on the part of the Thai government is possible, then you severely misunderstand the iron will of these Islamists in their determination to bring about the changes they want to impose on all those in the area.

[Mid]

4 killed in Thailand's Muslim south

March 27, 2007 : Last updated 06:33 pm (Thai local time)

Yala - Four people were shot dead Tuesday in attacks by suspected Islamic separatists in Thailand's Muslim-majority south, police said.

Agence France-Presse

forgot the link .....

Edited March 27, 2007 by Mid

[Plus]

This is about Islamism. Nothing else...

This isn't very objective either.

[ourmanflint]

This is about Islamism. Nothing else...

This isn't very objective either.

Would you care to elaborate?? Just what is this about then??

[Mid]

(BangkokPost.com) -

Soldiers and police raided a village in Rangae district of Narathiwat early Wednesday and detained 13 Muslims for questioning.

[Mid]

1,700 new rangers sent in to battle insurgency

By Post Reporters and AFP

Yala

The new troops will get extra combat pay, and bring the strength of paramilitary forces in the deep South to around 10,000. Terrorist experts say Jemaah Islamiyah is trying to horn in.

About 1,700 freshly-trained rangers have been deployed in the three southernmost provinces.

The beefing up of the paramilitary force, in addition to some 30,000 regular troops already deployed, has led to insurgents claiming on their illegal websites that the rangers are out to kill Muslims in the three provinces.

[cclub75]

1,700 new rangers sent in to battle insurgency

Do we really need this "surge" ?

Because, Sonthi says that 99 % of the south population supports the gvt...

Sonthi: Insurgency intensified after coup

(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said Wednesday insurgency in the deep South has intensified after the Sept 19 coup.

The degree of intensity has increased although the number of attacks has gone down, Gen Sonthi told reporters at a news briefing in Hat Yai district of Songkhla province.

"Insurgent groups have turned their focus to killing randomly, ending lives of innocent people," he added.

Of course, beheading thai monks, killing thai teachers like it happened in 2004 was totally different than what is happening now.

Gen Sonthi traveled to the South today to meet with officials and brief international media on the southern unrest. He answered questions from reporters during a briefing that lasted almost an hour.

Gen Sonthi claimed the army has been successful in getting "99 per cent" of local population on the government side. However, he admitted that this was not an easy task as insurgents try to "brainwash" local people.

Pose of a politician ? Or does Sonthi really believe what he says ?

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=117725

[Mid]

military men don't make politicians any more than businessmen do ,

that much is clear .......................

[Mai Krap]

Things aren't always as black and white as some would have you to believe.

Link to article in the Nation

Mai Krap

I find it hard to tell wether you are genuinely concerned about the the spin being put on the problems in the south by the likes of analyst Dr. Abuza and others, or are you just another yellow belly apologist for the Islamists in Pattani!

You offer much to debate, but really all you end up doing is confusing the issue by clouding disparate problems, and like the islamists you try to make one problem seem to be something else. Your anti-spin of the situation in Pattani seems to come from some innate sense that only you are right and no one outside of the area could possibly see things more clearly and objectively than you yourself. I can't say this is a very wise stand to take, as it often is the case that an objective view is needed more than a "gut" view from those such as yourself. It is all too easy to become entrenched in local everday life to see above the troubles and the effect they have.

I can see from way over here in the UK, that the troubles in Pattani are not getting any better, but they most definitely are polarising, and thay are doing so across religious divides. This is about Islamism. Nothing else...

Islamic factions have had very great success in getting what they want through violence over the past 60 years, and they have learned to be vigilant and never ceasing in moving towards what it is they want, a total Islamic state. Violence in Islam has become an acceptable tool, it has become accepted as the will of god, why else would these Islamists be on such a ludicrous quest.?

If you cannot accept that this violence has it's root in Islam and that a peaceful outcome to this without massive counter violence on the part of the Thai government is possible, then you severely misunderstand the iron will of these Islamists in their determination to bring about the changes they want to impose on all those in the area.

You said it all when you said you were in the UK. I am in all likelihood the leading American expert on Islam in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. I have spent more time with these people than any other westerner including a 2 year investigation into the so called Cambodian/Thailand Terrorist Connection which I concluded was total bull Shitt. For most who remember, shortly after Hambali was arrested in Ayutthaya there was a crackdown on Muslims in Cambodia sponsored and financed by the good people who brought us the Vietnam War. Many Muslim teachers were rounded up and deported and the shells of what were once schools are now just another desperate promise shattered by office workers who in far away climate controlled environments have tried and convicted men they have never met and did what Ronald Reagen would have never done. That is supply the Hun Sen government with millions of dollars to victimize the Chams who survived both Henry Kissinger's illegal carpet bombing and the genocidal maniac Brother Number One.

Ronald Reagen did spend untold millions keeping the Khmer Rouge in power though for one reason, his belief that the enemy of my enemy is my friend which is far from taking the moral high ground, the direction I try to stay in within these musings. The Muslims of Central Thailand only want peace in the South and a little sense of justice concerning disappeared Muslims like Somchai who is the most well known case. However the Southern Muslims have been pushed over the line and no longer support the government as it exists there now. While there is much sympathy throughout the Muslims communities I can assure you the Muslims I know are busy working 16 or more hours a day to put food into the mouths of their children when they are not praying and have no time for such luxury as war which is reserved for politicians, their bean counters, and pawns until they manipulate the situation to the point that food is disrupted. Thats when things get interesting or like we say back home, "Get to the nut cutting", Have a nice day.

[Plus]

This is about Islamism. Nothing else...

Separatism. For ages they've been fighting for the Kingdom of Pattani.

When you say "nothing else" you deny their nationalism. Islam is a big part of it, of course, but there's also a claim to the land, they also have their separate language and their own traditions, and their own version of history.

They don't want to be Malaysians, btw.

[John K]

I think this may lend some light to your question. I remember seeing a story in the new about a week ago, however I did not read it. The title was along the lines of Malaysia says this is not a religious based conflict. I would tent to agree with it if it is looked at in the light of 'the extreme views of the terrorists (anywhere) are too far of the intent of the Quran therefore it is not religious.'

[Jai Dee]

Massive amount of weapons and explosives belonging to RKK found in Narathiwat

Security officials are using proactive measures to suppress violence in the three southern border provinces of Thailand. Yesterday (Mar 28), a team of 150 officials all together inspected ten residences in tambon Tanyong Li Mo in Ra Ngae district of Narathiwat province. The officials previously received reports from villagers that the Runda Kumpulan Kecil, or RKK group, hid artilleries and explosive materials at the residences.

The officials arrested 11 insurgents who had committed crimes in the deep South in the past. The officials also discovered two other suspects were throwing nails on the street. They were arrested for further interrogation.

During the inspection, two M-16 rifles and one 0.38 pistol were found, together with hundreds of shells. Explosive materials such as 10 packs of urea, remote controls for bombs, and wires were also discovered. Officials also came across the RKK uniforms and many documents, both in Thai and Yawi.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

36 insurgent front members surrender to authorities in Yala

36 members forced into joining insurgent groups have surrendered themselves to authorities in Yala province today (March 29).

Local Yala residents allegedly forced into joining insurgency groups have surrendered themselves to authorities at the 11th Special Task Force Command of the 201st Army Development Division in Raman (รามัน) district of Yala province today (March 29). 36 members of the insurgency pledged to officials that they would support peace and an end to the southern unrest.

The Commander of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces, Maj Gen Samret Sri-Rhai (สำเร็จ ศรีหร่าย ), and the Governor of Yala province, Mr. Krisda Boonraj (กฤษฎา บุญราช ) was on hand to accept the insurgent's surrender.

Maj Gen Samret remarked that the surrender was sparked by dissatisfaction by local residents in the violent and coercive behavior of insurgents. Local district residents reported that insurgent often extorted money from them, in addition to conducting propaganda campaigns to incite rebellion against state authorities.

The Commander of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces said that the reasonable and peaceful approach of officials in treating southern residents contributed to the cooperation of local residents and the surrender of insurgent fronts. Maj Gen Samret said that other villages are also openly cooperating with authorities in supporting peace in the southern region.

The commander added that officials are implementing political directives for military forces to encourage public understanding and cooperation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 March 2007

[Mid]

Three Buddhists shot dead in deep South

NARATHIWAT - Three Buddhists were shot dead Thursday by suspected Islamic rebels, police said.

Agence France-Presse

[Naam]

I can see from way over here in the UK, that the troubles in Pattani are not getting any better, but they most definitely are polarising, and thay are doing so across religious divides. This is about Islamism. Nothing else...

it is a well known fact that distance, an armchair to read a newspaper and watch television (or walk a few paces to use the internet) is the basis to render a reliable expertise on various problems existing on this planet.

take me for example. i am a german, living in Thailand but i am extremely qualified to lecture about the influence the Vatican and catholicism had and still has on the century old tribal problems between Tivs and Idomas in Benue State, Nigeria. i am also an expert how islamism affects the animal husbandry in the southern part on Mongolia. if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

ego te absolvo "ourmanflint"!

[ourmanflint]

This is about Islamism. Nothing else...

Separatism. For ages they've been fighting for the Kingdom of Pattani.

When you say "nothing else" you deny their nationalism. Islam is a big part of it, of course, but there's also a claim to the land, they also have their separate language and their own traditions, and their own version of history.

They don't want to be Malaysians, btw.

I'm sorry but I think you are wrong!!

Why did the insurgents kick off after almost 200 years of relative peace and stability??Why.. because of the likes of Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah.

The excuse is the separatism, the reality is Islamism.

Don't be fooled by any other rhetoric.

[ourmanflint]

You said it all when you said you were in the UK. I am in all likelihood the leading American expert on Islam in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. I have spent more time with these people than any other westerner including a 2 year investigation into the so called Cambodian/Thailand Terrorist Connection which I concluded was total bull Shitt. For most who remember, shortly after Hambali was arrested in Ayutthaya there was a crackdown on Muslims in Cambodia sponsored and financed by the good people who brought us the Vietnam War. Many Muslim teachers were rounded up and deported and the shells of what were once schools are now just another desperate promise shattered by office workers who in far away climate controlled environments have tried and convicted men they have never met and did what Ronald Reagen would have never done. That is supply the Hun Sen government with millions of dollars to victimize the Chams who survived both Henry Kissinger's illegal carpet bombing and the genocidal maniac Brother Number One.

Ronald Reagen did spend untold millions keeping the Khmer Rouge in power though for one reason, his belief that the enemy of my enemy is my friend which is far from taking the moral high ground, the direction I try to stay in within these musings. The Muslims of Central Thailand only want peace in the South and a little sense of justice concerning disappeared Muslims like Somchai who is the most well known case. However the Southern Muslims have been pushed over the line and no longer support the government as it exists there now. While there is much sympathy throughout the Muslims communities I can assure you the Muslims I know are busy working 16 or more hours a day to put food into the mouths of their children when they are not praying and have no time for such luxury as war which is reserved for politicians, their bean counters, and pawns until they manipulate the situation to the point that food is disrupted. Thats when things get interesting or like we say back home, "Get to the nut cutting", Have a nice day.

I never claimed to have more OTG experience, I was trying to say that sometimes distance provides objectivity. If you could keep your expertise to the matter at hand instead of meandering across the world, I would be happy for you try and explain why what is happening without recourse to sentiment.

[ourmanflint]

I can see from way over here in the UK, that the troubles in Pattani are not getting any better, but they most definitely are polarising, and thay are doing so across religious divides. This is about Islamism. Nothing else...

it is a well known fact that distance, an armchair to read a newspaper and watch television (or walk a few paces to use the internet) is the basis to render a reliable expertise on various problems existing on this planet.

take me for example. i am a german, living in Thailand but i am extremely qualified to lecture about the influence the Vatican and catholicism had and still has on the century old tribal problems between Tivs and Idomas in Benue State, Nigeria. i am also an expert how islamism affects the animal husbandry in the southern part on Mongolia. if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

ego te absolvo "ourmanflint"!

I'm sure at some point during the day you think your logic is flawless and that your wit only adds to the obvious high regard in which you hold your thoughts.

Unfortunately I see neither, maybe me being all the way here must account for that too!!