No End In Sight As South Thai Rebellion Enters Fifth Year

[sriracha john]

Today's shooting in broad daylight....

Muslim man shot dead in Pattani

Pattani - A Muslim man was shot dead in this southern border province Tuesday, police said. Police said Roning Asae, 50, was shot and killed at his house in Moo 5 village in Tambon Lagna of Mayo district.

Police said the shooting took place at noon. He was shot by two men who arrived on a motorcycle who opened fire at Roning and fled the scene.

- The Nation / today

[sriracha john]

More mayhem today....

Two killed, 8 wounded in attacks in Thai south

YALA, Thailand - Militants shot dead two Muslim rubber tappers in Thailand's deep south on Tuesday, then detonated a bomb and wounded five policemen and three villagers who had rushed to the scene, police said.

The father and son were killed in a rubber plantation in Yala, one of four southernmost provinces where 3,100 people have died in a four-year-old separatist insurgency.

Police believed the victims, aged 47 and 28, were attacked because they worked as village defence volunteers.

"The insurgents hate any Muslim who works with the government," a police investigator told Reuters at the scene.

After killing the two men, the militants detonated a 20-kg roadside bomb as a police truck brought more officers and relatives to the plantation, police said.

Since the latest violence erupted in 2004, the rebels have never revealed themselves publicly or claimed responsibility for the near daily gun and bomb attacks in the rubber-producing region bordering Malaysia, annexed by Bangkok a century ago.

Reuters / 14 minutes ago

[Scott]

Two more sad and unnecessary deaths and a bunch of injuries.

[AlKing]

Are they still try to form a Republic of Pattani or what?

[sriracha john]

Policemen and soldiers stand at the scene of a shooting, which left two men dead, in south Thailand's Yala province on September 16, 2008. Militants shot dead two Muslim rubber tappers in Thailand's rebellious south on Tuesday, then detonated a bomb wounding five policemen and three villagers in a patrol security truck rushing to the scene, police said. Police say that they believe the victims, a father and son, were killed because they were working for the largely Buddhist government as village defense volunteers.

REUTERS

Policemen and soldiers inspect a security truck which was hit by a roadside bomb in southern Thailand's Yala province on September 16, 2008. Militants shot dead two Muslim rubber tappers in Thailand's rebellious south on Tuesday, then detonated a bomb wounding five policemen and three villagers in a patrol security truck rushing to the scene, police said.

REUTERS

[sriracha john]

More details on the above shootings and bombings, plus an additional new murder...

Militants Kill 2 Villagers and Detonate Bomb at Crime Scene

Intelligence agencies are warning that militants are preparing to stage more attacks during the Islamic Ramadan month. Today saw militants staged a deadly gunfire plot, killing two, before detonating a bomb and causing injuries.

A militant gang in Yala Province opened fire on local villagers, killing two on the Kuwasa-ae Road in tambon Huaykrating. The deceased are identified as Romlee and Ardeedee Wayei, who were father and son.

When authorities arrived at the scene, a blast went off causing 44-year-old Police Major Sorasak Boonrak of the police investigation team to suffer an injury. Six other locals were wounded in the blast. Three of them, identified as 40-year-old Jaeuma Hamidong, village chief of Bantamnop Village; 21-year-old Sakeeraw Yulae, and 14-year-old Haneesah Wayei were critically injured.

The investigation indicates that the militant gang opened fire on the two men as they rode a motorcycle to a rubber plantation. The militant gang planted a bomb near the bodies and detonated it when the authority team reached the scene.

National Police Chief Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan visited the injured at the provincial hospital after the attack and delivered financial aid to the victims.

Meanwhile, a militant gang staged another shooting attack on the Ruesoh-Narathiwat Road close to the Suan Pithan Bypass in Narathiwat. 48-year-old Mahamah Mayor was injured and rushed to the Narathiwat Hospital. He died shortly after.

The intelligence unit in the restive southern provinces warns that militants plan to stage more violent attacks during the Islamic Ramadan month until the end of the fasting ceremony at the Hari Raya pilgrimage Festival.

The state authorities are still the main target of the attacks.

- TOC / 2008-09-16

Edited September 17, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

PM urged to give South top priority

Spiritual leaders and business people yesterday called on PM Somchai Wongsawat to place the southern troubles and peace-building efforts high on his list of national priorities. Yala Chamber of Commerce Chairman Wirat Assavasuksan said the regional violence needed to be resolved urgently because there was still no light at the end of the tunnel after five years of violence. Former Deputy Chairman of the Yala Provincial Islamic Committee Nimu Makaje said a free and fair justice system ensured by the new PM would help improve the situation. The Federation of Teachers in Southern Border Provinces working in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla called for a hike in risk allowances and insurance money for teachers to boost their morale. Former Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh offered a glimmer of hope that the southern violence would come to a complete end on Dec 5 in time for the celebration of His Majesty the King's birthday. Gen Chavalit claimed that his efforts to hold private negotiations with insurgent groups which were active in the region through cooperation from Malaysia would bear fruit soon. "The ceasefire will begin after the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which is expected by Oct 13. However, everything will reach the end of the road on Dec 5 to mark His Majesty's birthday," he said. Although he was treading a similar path to that taken by Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party Leader Chettha Thanajaro, he had been cautious and was not another Chettha for sure, he added. Gen Chettha came under strong criticism after the ceasefire announcement aired on Channel 5 television on July 17 failed to achieve any

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/190908_News/19Sep2008_news06.php

[sriracha john]

The PM needs to address the situation urgently as the toll from bombings and shootings continues to rise....

2 Teachers, 1 Soldier Injured in Bomb Attack in Pattani

Two teachers have been injured in a bomb attack in Pattani.

A blast went off yesterday evening in Pattani's Saiburi District near Lahan Mitraparb School on the Pattani-Narathiwat Road in tambon Laharn.

Three injured were rushed to the district hospital, identified as 50-year-old Lamai Nuisri and 52-year-old Srisuman Kosutham. The two women are teachers at Lahan Mitraparb School. Both are in critical condition. Also injured was 22-year-old private Buraham Salae from Pattani's 26th military task force.

The investigation indicates that the militants detonated a bomb using a remote control device as a team of eight soldiers from the Marine force, providing guard for school teachers, rode motorcycles to inspect security along the road.

Shortly after, a militant on a motorcycle shot 18-year-old Yuhan Ma-ae on Bankuankuha Road in Nongjik District of the same province. The victim died after being rushed to the hospital.

TOC / 2008-09-18

[Scott]

More sad news from the Southern region.

Perhaps a little less attention paid to those temples on the Cambodian-Thai border and more attention to an urgent situation would be warranted!

[sriracha john]

Young students look at their school buildings which were burnt down by insurgents on Thursday night in Bannang Sata district, Yala.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

MP Wants Southern MP In Cabinet

BANGKOK, THAILAND: The new Thai Cabinet under Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is likely to end up without any representatives from the restive southern provinces like in the previous administration, a prominent law maker from Narathiwat said Friday.

Dr Wan Mahdee Wan Daud said that despite the ongoing intense lobbying among politicians and the six parties in the coalition government to secure posts in Somchai's Cabinet, the 12 members of Parliament (MP) from Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala were lacking the necessary clout to bargain.

"We have the talents and capability but our voices are not strong enough to bargain for seats. The lobbying is very strong among all the six parties, so only those with seniority and power have real chance to be considered," he said in an interview here.

Dr Wan Mahdee, a Puea Pandin Party MP from Narathiwat, said it would be a big loss for the southern people if they were again excluded from the highest decision-making body, citing the previous Cabinet under prime minister Samak Sundaravej which did not have a single representative from the region.

"We have voiced out our intention to have representatives from the south. But unless the old selection procedures are changed, we don't see any chance of seeing our MPs in the Cabinet," he added.

Somchai Wongsawat, who succeeded Samak after the latter was disqualified by the Constitution Court last week, said today that the Cabinet would be finalised within two or three days as all the six parties kept up their pressure and lobbying to secure posts.

Dr Wan Mahdee said that if representatives from the southern provinces were included in the Cabinet, it would help the dovernment in addressing the conflict and bring the administration closer to the Muslim-majority population.

Since armed militants attacked an army camp in Narathiwat in January, 2004, to resume their struggle for independence, more than 3,300 people have died in daily violence.

Dr Wan Mahdee said that although the Samak government allocated a big budget for the three restive provinces, it did not really benefit the people as a large sum went to the military for security aspects.

"The people want to see more funds for development. At least if there are Cabinet members from the affected areas, we can have better strategy and planning with local output," he said.

- Bernama / 2008-09-19

[sriracha john]

one of four southernmost provinces where 3,100 people have died

more than 3,300 people have died in daily violence.

an even higher total tally being reported now...

and news of an additional firefight results in more deaths...

Three Killed, School Burned Down In Thailand's Muslim South

YALA, Thailand (AFP / 2008.09.19)-- Three people have been killed in the latest separatist violence in Thailand's Muslim-majority south, while an elementary school was burned to the ground, police said Friday.

Two Muslim militants were killed and a policeman injured Thursday evening during a 10-minute gunfight with security forces, police said.

The clash broke out as soldiers and police sealed off a village to search for suspected militants. Both the dead were wanted on suspicion of planting bombs in the region along the southern border with Malaysia, police added.

In nearby Narathiwat province, a Muslim teenager was killed in a drive-by shooting, while a primary school in Yala was torched in an arson attack.

Since separatist unrest broke out in January 2004, at least 294 schools have been hit by arson attacks and more than 3,400 people have died in the violence, which often targets civilians.

[sriracha john]

Another school in Yala damaged in arson attack

YALA: A local school was torched in Bannang Sata district on Thursday night in an arson attack that left one building heavily damaged, police said yesterday. No casualties were reported. The fire broke out at one of the buildings at the Nikom Pattana Tua Eng Paktai 13 school shortly before 8pm on Thursday. Three classrooms, a teacher's room, and a computer room were destroyed in the flames. Copies of official documents were also reduced to ashes. A preliminary investigation showed that at least three people broke into one of the classrooms, splashed petrol on the floor and set the room ablaze. School director Nattapat Choncharoen said the arsonists struck while security guards at the school were attending an evening prayer. Elsewhere in Yala, two core leaders of a local militant group were killed in a gunfight with security troops in Muang district on Thursday evening. The clash also left one policeman wounded. The dead were identified as Ismael Paju and Mazo Kaji, core leaders of an insurgent group active in Yala. The clash followed a raid on a suspected rebel hideout by security troops following a tip-off that the two insurgents were hiding in the area. Police said Ismael was behind several

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/200908_News/20Sep2008_news12.php

[Scott]

More sad news from the South. I hope the situation gets the attention it needs in the near future.

[sriracha john]

Indonesia hosting talks on the South

Indonesia is hosting talks between the Thai government and community representatives from the troubled South, state media reported yesterday. The closed conference at Bogor Palace outside Jakarta is being mediated by Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla and will continue until today. Tensions have simmered in the Muslim South since the kingdom annexed the mainly ethnic Malay sultanate in 1902.

In Thailand, three vehicles owned by a police officer were set ablaze in Khuan Don district in Satun on Friday, local police said. The damaged vehicles, two pickup trucks and a sedan, belonged to Pol Sen Sgt-Maj Jetsada Saleemeen, 43, of Khuan Don district police station. They were parked in his house compound. Police are

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/210908_News/21Sep2008_news06.php

[sriracha john]

Muslim man killed in drive-by shooting in Yala

Yala - A 60-year-old Muslim man was killed in a drive-by shooting in this southern border province Sunday morning.

Police said Waeda-oh Soh was shot two times by a pillion rider while riding his motorcycle back home in Bake village in Tambon Pithen of Pattani's Thung Yang Daeng district at 7 am.

Police said the man was returning home from his rubber plantation.

- The Nation / 2008-09-21

[AlKing]

The south will never be satisfied until they got they Patani Kingdom back (so annex to Malaysia). Look what happen to Pakistan on Saturday. Poor Marriott got hit again. Wasn't it Marriott that got bomb in Indonesia a few years back?

[Scott]

I read in the paper that they are having talks in Indonesia, but the Thai gov't says they aren't participating, but the Thai Ambassador to Indonesia is there! It might be good if there was a little more unity on the part of the gov't as to just who is in charge of the Southern situation.

[sriracha john]

Buddhist father, son killed in Narathiwat; one beheaded

Narathiwat - A Buddhist man and his 17-year-old son were shot dead by insurgents while riding their motorcycles on a rural road here. The insurgents also beheaded the father, police said.

Police said Prateep Sombat, 38 and his son, Siripong Sombat who was a Grade 9 student, were riding two motorcycles to a nearby village when they were shot at by insurgents at about 10:30 am in the Juakor village in Tambon Sribanphot of Si Sakhon district.

Police said about 4 insurgents, who were hiding in a roadside bush, fired assault rifles against the two and then came out to fire at them at point blank.

The insurgents also took two pistols from the two and fled the scene.

- The Nation / 2008-09-22

[AlKing]

Buddhist father, son killed in Narathiwat; one beheaded

Narathiwat - A Buddhist man and his 17-year-old son were shot dead by insurgents while riding their motorcycles on a rural road here. The insurgents also beheaded the father, police said.

Police said Prateep Sombat, 38 and his son, Siripong Sombat who was a Grade 9 student, were riding two motorcycles to a nearby village when they were shot at by insurgents at about 10:30 am in the Juakor village in Tambon Sribanphot of Si Sakhon district.

Police said about 4 insurgents, who were hiding in a roadside bush, fired assault rifles against the two and then came out to fire at them at point blank.

The insurgents also took two pistols from the two and fled the scene.

- The Nation / 2008-09-22

Have the Nation forgot to mention how many Muslim got killed in the South? Want me to remind them.

Buddhist got killed is something. Muslim got killed in nothing.

[TAWP]

How about you scroll up 5 posts and then eat your foot?

[sabaijai]

Thai govt, Malay Muslims committed to end conflicts

Abdul Khalik

The Jakarta Post

Publication Date: 22-09-2008

Representatives of the Thai government and Muslim communities in the south of Thailand concluded Sunday (Sept 21) a historic two-day talks hosted by the Indonesian government in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia with a commitment to end the bloody conflicts in the area.

The two sides pledged to continue the talks at the same place in November to try to find ways to meet the Thai Muslims' demands for justice, economic development and the right to use the Malay language in their areas.

The Thai government sent to Indonesia a group of five negotiators headed by general Khwanchart Klahan, supreme commander of the Southern Border Provinces Peace Building Command--an official body overseeing Thailand's south.

The Thai Muslims were represented by leaders of the Pattani Malay Consultative Congress, an umbrella organisation of southern Thailand's insurgent groups.

Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla acted as the mediator in the closed meeting with political experts Fachry Ali of the University of Indonesia and Anies Baswedan of the Paramadina University accompanying him during the negotiation.

Also attending the negotiation were the Vice-President's political advisors Johermansyah Johan and Farid Hussein and Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand M Hatta.

"We have made substantial progress during the negotiation, with both sides expressing commitment to end the conflicts," Fachry told The Jakarta Post after the talks, held at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, around 60km south of Jakarta.

Anies described the two-day talks as a solid basis for the next round of negotiation, with representatives from both sides willing to listen.

"This is the first encounter so they have to adjust, and become comfortable. Many of the lingering issues have been tabled," he said.

Data compiled by Prince of Songkhla University shows that from January 2004 to June 21, 2007, at least 2,303 people were killed and more than 6,000 injured in outbreaks of violence related to the insurgency in Thailand's southern regions.

The most affected areas are three Muslim-dominated Southern provinces -- Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala.

[sriracha john]

Thai govt, Malay Muslims committed to end conflicts

Representatives of the Thai government and Muslim communities in the south of Thailand concluded Sunday (Sept 21) a historic two-day talks hosted by the Indonesian government in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia with a commitment to end the bloody conflicts in the area.

The two sides pledged to continue the talks at the same place in November to try to find ways to meet the Thai Muslims' demands for justice, economic development and the right to use the Malay language in their areas.

The Thai government sent to Indonesia a group of five negotiators headed by general Khwanchart Klahan, supreme commander of the Southern Border Provinces Peace Building Command--an official body overseeing Thailand's south.

strange times we live in...

THAI FOREIGN MINISTRY NOT AWARE OF TALKS IN JAKARTA

BANGKOK, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The Thai Foreign Ministry today said it was not aware of any talks with southern separatist groups held over the weekend in Jakarta.

Its spokesman Tharit Jarungwat said they only came to know about the reported talks through media, adding that no government officials were involved in the meeting that took place at the presidential palace in Bogor, about 60 kilometres south of Jakarta and was mediated by Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

"I don't have that information and I didn't get any report about that," Tharit told reporters when asked to comment on the talks between separatist groups and the Thai representatives led by former Fourth Army Region Commander General Kwanchart, who was a military advisor to previous prime minister Samak Sundaravej.

Indonesia's Antara News Agency quoted presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal as saying that the Indonesian Government would keep promoting peace in southern Thailand through its position as a facilitator for talks between the government and the separatist groups in the region.

"The first meeting between the two sides had concluded and produced some progress. They agreed to exercise restraint to avoid any incidences that would undermine this peace process. They agreed not to commit any violence," Dino said.

======================================================================

Government 'not involved' in Indonesia talks

A fresh dialogue called in a bid to end the southern unrest was held in Indonesia over the weekend but the Thai government says it is not involved. The talks were mediated by Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said. He said five representatives from the deep South and negotiators from Bangkok attended the two-day meeting, which ended yesterday. He did not identify the southerners, but said the Bangkok delegation included Kwanchart Klaharn, a former Fourth Army commander. In February, Gen Kwanchart was appointed by cabinet as an adviser to then-Defence Mminister Samak Sundaravej. Gen Kwanchart is thought to be among the names put forward for the defence portfolio in PM Somchai's new Ccabinet lineup, if Somchai decides not to concurrently take the post. However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the government was not involved in any talks in Indonesia and it had not asked Jakarta to act as a mediator. "We did not send any representatives to Indonesia," Mr Tharit said. "Our position is that the situation in the South is an internal conflict and we will not set up any talks with the militants."

Bangkok Post article continued here:

http://www.norsorpor.com/%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%8...donesia%20talks

============================================================

This is all reminiscent of that horrendous scam done earlier this year....

Earlier this year, former Army Chief and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party Leader General Chettha Thanajaro, a former Defence Minister, was criticised after he announced a joint ceasefire with a group called Thailand United Southern Underground, claiming to represent 11 separatist groups in the region. Army officials and security experts dismissed the ceasefire as a publicity stunt, and the violence did not stop.

(from the same article)

Edited September 22, 2008 by sriracha john

[NanaFoods]

This is all reminiscent of that horrendous scam done earlier this year....

Earlier this year, former Army Chief and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party Leader General Chettha Thanajaro, a former Defence Minister, was criticised after he announced a joint ceasefire with a group called Thailand United Southern Underground, claiming to represent 11 separatist groups in the region. Army officials and security experts dismissed the ceasefire as a publicity stunt, and the violence did not stop.

I give this less than a week until...

1. it is meted out as a scam

or

2. violence simply breaks out again.

This story is also covered with skepticism at JihadWatch

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022793.php

Edited September 22, 2008 by ChefHeat

[AlKing]

Thailand does not give in to a temple, even though they have lose in the ICJ. You you seriously think that this kingdom will give in to 3 southern provinces (which could spread to all provinces south of Prachup).

FYI Most of the kingdom hydrocarbon is extracted from the sea off the southern provinces (Chumpon, Surat, Nakorn, Songkhla, Patani & Narathiwas).

[sriracha john]

Police arrest suspects in Yala bank bombing

A village leader was shot to death as officials closed off tambon Aiyerweng in Betong, Yala to catch a group of armed bank bombers.

Lieutenant Colonel Tongchai Mee-anan and Colonel Komkrit Rattanachaya, led 96 soldiers and scouts to surround the area at tambon Aiyerweng in Betong, Yala and arrested 25-year-old Mukda Maha, 24-year-old Tawansak Paenae, 25-year-old Asan Hama and 25-year-old Korkaya Latae, armed with weapons and materials for explosives. Three of the suspects had been charged with bombing charges in Betong in 2006.

Lieutenant Colonel Tongchai said that the task force officials have been using the method of closing areas, searching, and arresting suspects in places where there are movements, which is significantly lessening violence in those areas. At the same time officials give importance to religious leaders and community leaders as they have to create an understanding about arrests with locals in each area to help lessen the misunderstanding and fear that might occur.

At the same time at tambon Sa-e, village leader, 50-year-old Kareeya Muleng was shot to death. Investigations revealed that the deceased was riding a motorcycle when two men followed on another motorcycle and shot the village leader. Initially, officials suspect that the murder was intended to stir up the situation in the south.

- TOC / 2008-09-22

[NanaFoods]

Thailand does not give in to a temple, even though they have lose in the ICJ. You you seriously think that this kingdom will give in to 3 southern provinces (which could spread to all provinces south of Prachup).

FYI Most of the kingdom hydrocarbon is extracted from the sea off the southern provinces (Chumpon, Surat, Nakorn, Songkhla, Patani & Narathiwas).

An interesting parallel - China's Uyghur separatist Muslims also reside in an oil rich area of Xinjiang.

"The oil and petrochemical sector account for 60% of Xinjiang's local economy"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xinjiang

Coincidence or trend?

A few years ago, I read a letter to the editor in The Nation from a Muslim submitter, who declared that "Thailand's oil belongs to Muslims."

Edited September 23, 2008 by ChefHeat

[sriracha john]

Today's bombing...

Bomb Explodes in Pattani Killing Military Volunteer

A bomb exploded in Pattani Province, killing a volunteer ranger and severely injuring another.

The bomb attack took place at the Santikaram Temple in Muang District of Pattani, causing the death of volunteer ranger Suthep Tamwan and injuring volunteer ranger Suthep Kuhamuk.

Witnesses say the bomb was hidden and then set off by remote control as the two officers patrolled the area.

Police found a 30-centimeter-wide hole in the ground and said a five-kilogram bomb was the cause.

After the incident, police cordoned the area within a one-kilometer radius of the scene to search for the perpetrators. They say the attack was aimed to kill military officials to cause chaos.

- TOC / 2008-09-23

[sriracha john]

This is all reminiscent of that horrendous scam done earlier this year....

Earlier this year, former Army Chief and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party Leader General Chettha Thanajaro, a former Defence Minister, was criticised after he announced a joint ceasefire with a group called Thailand United Southern Underground, claiming to represent 11 separatist groups in the region. Army officials and security experts dismissed the ceasefire as a publicity stunt, and the violence did not stop.

I give this less than a week until...

1. it is meted out as a scam

or

2. violence simply breaks out again.

This story is also covered with skepticism at JihadWatch

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022793.php

How about 2 days for both 1. and 2. ??? This is "a Chettha" all over again...

Anupong: Talks weren't official

The Thai team who took part in talks with insurgents' representatives in Indonesia acted in a private capacity without official support from the army or the government, army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda said yesterday. The Thai negotiators at the two-day meeting were led by former Fourth Army commander Kwanchart Klaharn. They met five representatives from the Pattani Malay Consultative Congress at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, near Jakarta, according to the Indonesian government. "He [General Kwanchart] probably went there personally as a scholar. He is not a representative of the government," said General Anupong, who is scheduled to visit the far South today. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has also insisted the government was not a party to the talks, which were mediated by Indonesia's Vice President Jusuf Kalla. People in the far South are not at all hopeful of the outcome, according to Nimu Makaje, former Chairman of the Yala Provincial Islamic Committee. Nimu said it was not clear whether the rebel sympathisers' group had any real power to deliver changes. He said people were disappointed earlier this year when former Army Chief and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party Leader Chetta Thanajaro claimed a ceasefire was being reached with the so-called Thailand United Southern Underground, which went on national television to make the announcement in July. There has been no ceasefire. Nimu called on the government to divulge details of the talks in Indonesia. "The officials in charge of the issue work out of tune and even compete with one another," Nimu said. Yesterday, one army ranger was killed and another wounded by a bomb blast while patrolling a road in tambon Rusamilae in Muang district of Pattani, police said. They were resting under a tree when the explosion occurred. In Yala's Raman district, hospital gardener Abduloh Waba, 30, was shot dead by a gunman on motorcycle as he was leaving the grounds on his

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/240908_News/24Sep2008_news04.php

Edited September 24, 2008 by sriracha john

[Scott]

Perhaps there are just too many generals with too little to do in Thailand (both former and current). The talks in Indonesia reflect the mismanagement of this situation. You have military personnel, and according to some reports, the ambassador at the talks, which gov't says aren't official. So basically, the Thai gov't doesn't speak with one voice.

Basically, these former and current gov't officials who engage in this type of dialogue outside officially sanctioned talks, whether formal or informal, should be charged with either treason or aiding and abetting terrorism. There dialogue does nothing but spread confusion, and apparently doesn't work very well, considering the recent events.

Of course, I don't discount the possibility that the gov't does sanction the talks, but doesn't want to lose face. Either way, without a clear policy on the South, it's hard to know who is doing what to make any kind of a measurable impact on the situation.