No End In Sight As South Thai Rebellion Enters Fifth Year

[sriracha john]

Today's toll...

2 killed, another injured in Pattani drive-by shootings

Pattani - A woman and a man were killed and other woman injured in two separate drive-by shootings in this southern border province Sunday.

In the first shooting, Kamala Sepohma, 41, was killed and Naruemol Yimine, 33, was severely injured when the two were riding their motorcycle on the Pattani - Yala Road in Yarang district at 1:30 pm.

The second shooting occurred at 2 pm on a road in Panare district. Abdulloh Jewae, 35, was killed while riding his motorcycle with his trained monkey. The monkey, trained to collect coconuts, waited near by the body of its master after the shooting.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Thai police check a bullet-ridden vehicle of a Muslim village chief who was gunned down by suspected rebels in Thailand's restive southern Yala province. Suspected separatist militants shot dead five Muslims, including a 16-year-old boy, in separate attacks in Thailand's restive south.

AFP

[Jai Dee]

Army Chief visits deep South to monitor army’s operations

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, Gen.Anupong Paochinda (อนุพงษ์ เผ่าจินดา), visits the three Southern border provinces to monitor the army’s operations on the Southern insurgency.

The army chief says he will be informed by army officers stationed in the provinces of progress and problems concerning their operations to tackle violence by insurgents. He also affirms the army’s work in the unrest areas has forged unity.

Gen.Anupong is accompanied by high-ranking officers of the army including commanders of the three army area commands. He is scheduled to attend a meeting and deliver policy to battalion commanders.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

Policeman, Militant Killed In Clash In Thai South: Police

A police officer and a suspected Islamic separatist were killed in a pre-dawn clash Tuesday in Thailand's Muslim-majority south, police said.

About 100 security forces had surrounded a hut where militants were believed to be hiding in Yala, one of three provinces hit by four years of separatist unrest, police said.

Militants fired at the security forces, and a police sergeant and one insurgent were killed in the brief gun battle that followed, police said.

The insurgent was a 27-year-old Muslim wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant related to a raid on a police station two years ago, police said.

Other separatists apparently escaped the clash, police added.

More than 2,800 people have been killed since the unrest broke out in January 2004 in the south, which was an autonomous Malay Muslim sultanate until mainly Buddhist Thailand annexed it in 1902, provoking decades of tension.

Source: AFP - 29 January 2008

[apetley]

I do not dispute your views on the matter of the Caliphate or the fact that those that are fomenting death and destruction live and act according to a set of rules that are very different than ours and that we must act accordingly. However, modern history shows, and we do live in the modern era, that an overly violent response does not work. The M.O. of modern terrorists has always been to provoke a repressive violent response in hopes that the public would rise up against the authorities. This is what the Red Brigades of Italy and Germany in the early 70's sought to do. The Basque separtists problem in Spain is similar to what we see in Thailand, save that the Spanish authorities have a better grip on the issue and have been able to contain the violence. What brought down the red Brigades was skilled intelligence work and targeted killings. What stopped the IRA was patience and resolve. The British model for dealing with the IRA over the past decade should serve as a lesson for many governments. What the Israelis understand and what most regular folks in the west do not, is that some cultures are predicated on violence and that when one gives a bit, the other party will keep pushing for more and more. Unfortunately, the Israelis cannot do what really needs to be done because it would result in a lot of deaths and bring down the wrath of the world upon it. So instead they opt for 1/2 measures that create suffering and misery for all and only continue the problems. That's sort of the current strategy in Thailand. People in charge sometimes have no idea what to do because the actions of the insurgents are so very different than their own cultural and mores. (That's the plural of morals for non english speakers )

Despite all the stories we hear about psycho violent Thais here in TV, Thailand is not a society predicated on genocide or wholescale destruction.However, under the right conditions it can and it will rear it's ugly head. All it will take is a large act of violence in a northern city for there to be a reaction similar to what one sees in India where Hindus have gone on mob killings of muslims. Many people may not see it, but Thailand is on the edge of such a predicament. Only a similar strategy to what the British used in Eire will bring results. That strategy involved cutting off funding to the IRA( the USA did it's part) and bringing in a neutral party to facilitate negotiations (General Chastelain from Canada did that). Would Thailand accept a neutral intermediary? Will Malaysia help cut the insurgents funding? Until that happens, the problems can't be addressed.

Very well put and I agree entirely.

One potential problem is the possibility that Thai politicians will see it as 'loss of face' if a foreign intermediary does some negotiating for them. Can they accept a foreigner negotiating over Thai sovereign soil?

One day I see it as inevitable that some 3rd party will have to come in and talk to the two sides, the sooner the better in my view and a new Government has the perfect opportunity for the 'new broom' approach. However the links to the old regime and it's iron fist solution to domestic problems bode poorly for that diplomatic solution.

Dialogue is the way forward however unpalatable that is in the short term.

[Jai Dee]

Democrats push for a key bill to quell southern violence

The opposition will sponsor a legislation designed to solve the southern insurgency, Democrat MP Niphon Boonyamanee said on Wednesday.

The draft bill will aim at upgrading the status of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre in coordinating military and civilian operations, ensuring the dispensing of justice and rights protection, and implementing policies for the Deep South as the special development region.

The revamped centre would be headed by a C-11 official working under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Office and reporting work progress to the Cabinet every three month.

Source: The Nation - 30 January 2008

[sriracha john]

Ranger gunman hacked to death

A volunteer ranger was hacked to death when his gun jammed after he opened fire on local villagers in Yala's Bannang Sata district on Wednesday in what the chief of the ranger force said was a personal conflict. However, local villagers dispute the claim that personal conflicts were behind the shooting. Col Tim Ruento, chief of the 41st unit of the ranger force, said yesterday that Maroning Alimama, a villager in Baan Tanyong in Bannang Sata, was shot and seriously wounded by volunteer ranger Maroseh Tayeh and his friend. However, the ranger's rifle jammed after he fired the first volley of shots, and was hacked to death by Maroning and other villagers. Maroning was taken for treatment at Yala hospital. The volunteer ranger's friend fled the scene. The issue has became a hot topic of conversation among local villagers with some claiming that several attacks in the area may have been carried out by state authorities, and some suspected insurgents had died while being detained by rangers.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Feb2008_news09.php

[Jai Dee]

Southern police find 95 sticks of dynamite ready for use from insurgents

Deputy Commander of the National Police, Police General Adul Saengsingkaew (อดุลย์ แสงสิงแก้ว) ordered over 300 officers to search a residence in Ayyer Queen (อัยเยอร์ควีน) village of Betong district of Yala province after receiving information from sources that insurgents had deposited suspicious materials there.

Officers found 92 sticks of dynamite along with 62 rolls of blast agent and 85 meters of electrical wiring at the residence. All the materials were in a ready to use state bringing police to believe that the insurgent group was preparing to commit multiple acts throughout the three southern border provinces.

Police have beefed up security in the three provinces including Pattani and Narathiwat on speculation that insurgents will stage multiple attacks on officers between the 5th and 10th of this month.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 February 2008

[Jai Dee]

Tight security in deep South as Chinese New Year Festival approaching

Police forces in the southern border province of Pattani are intensifying their security measures after explosives have been found in the neighboring provinces of Yala and Narathiwat.

Security forces in Yala and Narathiwat have discovered more than 10 explosive items, including dynamites, in the local mosques. Following the discovery, officials in Pattani have beefed up their security efforts, and more officials have been deployed to different areas of the province, including residential and border areas as well as public places.

Officials believe that the southern insurgents could be plotting to create violence during the upcoming Chinese New Year Festival.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 February 2008

[Jai Dee]

8 suspected insurgents arrested in Narathiwat

Narathiwat - About 150 police, soldiers and Justice Ministry officials rounded up eight suspected terrorists from a village in this southern border province Friday morning.

The officials raided Buaraeng village in Tambon Laloh of Ruesoh district at 6:30 am to hunt for Sakariya Jaetaek, 18, whose identification card was earlier found at Nuradin mosque which insurgents launched an bomb attack against.

The authorities did not find Sakariya but found the eight suspects.

Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, acting director of the Justice Ministry' Forensic Science Institute, who accompanied the raid, performed preliminary tests on the suspects and found traces of explosives.

They were taken to the Narathiwat Taskforce 39 for questioning.

Source: The Nation - 01 February 2008

[sriracha john]

The killing continues unabated...

2 Muslims shot dead in Thai restive south

NARATHIWAT (Thailand) - Two elderly Muslims were shot dead by suspected rebels in separate attacks in Thailand's violence-torn south on Friday, police said.

A 56-year-old man was gunned down while driving a motorcycle in Narathiwat, one of three restive provinces bordering Malaysia, police said, adding that another 60-year-old man was killed in a drive-by shooting in the province.

More than 2,800 people have been killed since unrest broke out in January 2004 in the south, which was an autonomous Malay Muslim sultanate until mainly Buddhist Thailand annexed it in 1902.

- AFP

[sriracha john]

Yesterday's victim...

School Deputy Director killed by insurgents in Pattani

Two unidentified perpetrators shot dead Mr. Wichit Sakhonthawut, the Deputy Director of Pratu Pho Wittaya School in Yarang district of Pattani province yesterday.

According to the police, Mr. Wichit was driving home from school when he was attacked by two gunmen. During the ambush, the victim's body and right arm was shot. After the police arrived at the crime scene, Mr. Wichit was urgently delivered to Pattani Hospital, but it was too late for the medics to save him.

Following the shooting, the culprits were able to escape unnoticed. The police assumed that they were attempting to create turbulence in the ongoing restive South.

- ThaiNews

[sriracha john]

Fears PPP ministers could agitate South

Chalerm and Samak tipped for key posts

The expected appointments of PM Samak Sundaravej as Defence Minister and Chalerm Yubamrung as Interior Minister could upset efforts to bring peace to the southern border provinces, the chairman of a local Islamic committee in Ayutthaya said yesterday. Pradit Rattanakomol said he was concerned that the abrasive characters of both Samak and Chalerm, as well as their reputations for being uncompromising, could be a setback for hopes of resolving the conflict in the deep South. The Defence and Interior ministries deal directly with matters of top national security including the southern insurgency. Mr Pradit said the rough reputations of the two veteran politicians may not bode well with efforts to bring an end to the daily violence in southern border provinces.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/02Feb2008_news04.php

[sriracha john]

and then this morning...

Rubber tapper gunned down in Yala province

A rubber tapper in Raman district in Yala province was shot and killed by suspected militants this morning. The victim, identified as 42-year-old Abdul Rosi, was killed while on his motorcycle heading for his rubber plantation. He suffered 4 bullet wounds and died at the scene. Elsewhere in the restive southern province, an abandoned bag was left outside a local home causing panic amongst nearby residents.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=125652

[Jai Dee]

Army Area 4 Commander orders tighter measures for Chinese New Year in South

Chief of Army Area 4 Public Relations Center General Akara Thiparote (อัคร ทิพโรจน์) revealed measures to be implemented in the Southern region during the Chinese New Year celebration to insure the safety of both Buddhist Thai and Islamic Thai locals of the area. The measures were ordered by the Army Area 4 Commander after information was uncovered that insurgent elements of the border territory are preparing to create unrest during the festivities.

The Army has initiated cooperation with Police and Volunteers to improve security but has also set out a policy of intimate relations with citizens to gain trust and also to give citizens the confidence to contact authorities on any suspicious activity.

The information hinting at a potential disruption during Chinese New Year was found by interrogating a suspected insurgent under the guise of a university student in Yala province.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 February 2008

[sriracha john]

and this is possibly when attention will be drawn to the problem...

REBELS MAY TEST NEW GOVERNMENT

Militants 'planning attacks in Bangkok'

Police and soldiers are hunting for four southerners, including a man wanted for a bomb attack on Hat Yai airport, after being alerted by intelligence reports that they were planning to stage bomb attacks in Bangkok and Yala. It is possible that Faisal Hayeesama-ae, 25, one of those being sought, may plant bombs in Bangkok this month, said a police source at the police operations command in Yala, citing an intelligence report from the army. Faisal is a Yala native and is said to be an expert in making and planting bombs. He is wanted for the bombings at Hat Yai airport on April 3, 2005 and at the Hat Yai railway station in 2004, and is carrying a three-million-baht bounty on his head. The source said the man has already left Yala and could be hiding in the Ramkhamhaeng area as he was a former student of Ramkhamhaeng University and has a lot of Muslim friends there. "The military intelligence did not go into detail as to why it believed Faisal would carry out the attacks at this time. It's possible that the change in the country's political landscape and the government was tempting the rebels into staging attacks to test what stuff the new government was made of," said the source.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Feb2008_news10.php

[Jai Dee]

Security officers raid Betong district to prevent violence during Chinese New Year

About 100 security officers raid the district of Betong in Yala province in an attempt to prevent violence during the coming Chinese New Year due to leads on insurgents’ movements.

The officers earlier raided Tambon Ayerweng (อัยเยอร์เวง) in the district on February 1st, explosive objects and other items for an attack were confiscated.

According to the officers, the raids have been conducted as local people have provided information concerning insurgents’ movements and weapons hidden in the district.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 February 2008

[Jai Dee]

3 policemen, 3 civilians injured in Yala bomb attack

Yala - Three policemen and three women were injured when insurgents detonated a bomb to attack the police officers Monday.

The explosion occurred in front of a shop in Tambon Lammai Municipality in Muang district at noon.

Police said the three policemen were setting up the a road checkpoint in front of the shop when the explosion occurred. Police believed the insurgents detonated the bomb with a mobile phone.

The injured police officers were identified as Pol Cpl Sirichai Suksri, 23, Pol Sgt Maj Sophon Sajjaphol, 38 and Pol Lance Cpl Ekkachai Aranyawet, 23.

The three injured women are Kwannang Chuphet, 31, Maliwan Ronphusit and Amida Harong, 19.

Source: The Nation - 04 February 2008

[sriracha john]

Another day, another round of bombings, another death...

One killed, 16 injured in restive south bombings

PATTANI - A remoted-controlled bomb exploded Monday at a ceremony in this southern province of Pattani, killing one person and wounding 10 other, including local government officials, according to police.

A second separate bombing wounded at least six people in the neighbouring province of Yala.

The first incident took place in Pattani's Mayor district, where insurgents detonated a 5-kilogramme explosive charge at a pier where local government officials were joining a merit-making ceremony to release fish into the river.

The victims included senior agricultural official Usman Hajidoloh who was pronounced dead at hospital. Among the ten injured was Mayor district chief Virat Prasetto, who is receiving medical treatment.

In another surge of violence, a bomb exploded outside a stationery and office supply store in Yala's provincial seat, injuring six persons, including two soldiers on patrol. The other injured were three villagers and a female student from a pondok or Islamic boarding school.

- MCOT

[Jai Dee]

Two killed, nine wounded in attacks across Thai south

Thai policemen check the site of an explosion set by Muslim militants

YALA, Thailand: Two people were killed and nine wounded Monday in a string of bombing and shooting attacks in Thailand's Muslim-majority south, where a separatist insurgency is raging, police said.

Six people, including three police officers, were wounded when a bomb exploded around midday outside a shop in Yala town, one of the region's main cities, police said.

The five-kilogram (11-pound) bomb had been planted near a motorcycle parked outside the shop, police said.

An hour later, a second bomb exploded outside an Islamic religious school in nearby Pattani province, killing one government official and wounding two others and a policeman, they said.

Later in the day, a 30-year-old Muslim man was shot dead in a drive-by attack in Yala province, they added.

More than 2,800 people have been killed since the unrest broke out in January 2004 in the south, which was an autonomous Malay Muslim sultanate until mainly Buddhist Thailand annexed it in 1902, provoking decades of tension.

Source: Channel News Asia- 05 February 2008

[sriracha john]

The ever-popular motorcycle bomb...

Yala motorcycle blast site

Bombing in Yala and Pattani

A blast went off in Pattani during an official state ceremony, injuring nine including the Mayor district chief. Meanwhile, militants detonated a bomb hidden in a motorcycle, injuring six in Yala Province.

The police team from Yala's Lammai police station inspected the scene in front of a local shop called "Khwan Muang", located in the municipality of Muang District. The initial investigation indicates that the militants detonated a bomb that was hidden in a motorcycle, using a remote control. The explosion injured three police officers who were inspecting a checkpoint in the area and three locals. All the injured were rushed to hospital

Meanwhile, a blast went off in Pattani Province during a ceremony to release fish near the irrigation office canal at the Tadeeka School in Bankasoh Village of Mayor District.

Nine local officials participating the ceremony, including Mayor district chief Wirat Prasettho suffered injuries. They were sent to Pattani Hospital and the Prince of Songkla Hospital in Songkhla province.

The authorities later revealed that the Mayor district chief and the Pattani assistant officer, Pramuk Lamun and their teams joined the ceremony as part of an activity for the prestigious awards granted to Tambon and village chiefs.

However, the Pattani assistant official and his team left the event before the blast took place. The Mayor district chief then presided over the fish-releasing ceremony and was injured as militants triggered a bomb that was hidden close to the harbor.

The authorities say the militant gang had planned the violent attack, targeting the local officials. The latest report reveals that a district official, Usman Hayeedolor, who suffered an injury from the blast, has succumbed to his injuries.

- Thailand Outlook

[Jai Dee]

Blasts kill official, leave 17 injured

Bombs target religious school in Pattani and Yala restaurant

One person was killed and nearly 20 injured, including the district chief of Pattani's Ma-Yor district, in two separate explosions in the deep South yesterday.

A bomb went off in Ma-Yor at about 1.30pm as district chief Wirat Praserttho and officials presided over a ceremony to open a religious school. The event was being attended by religious and community leaders as well as local residents.

The 5-kilogram bomb was set off by remote control as officials were about to release fish into an irrigation canal.

Usman Hajidoloh, an agricultural official, died shortly after being admitted to Pattani Hospital.

District clerks Wirat and Rohop Musengdoloh were in a serious condition while nine other people suffered minor injuries.

Authorities cordoned off the area shortly after the explosion in an effort to trap the bombers, but were not able to make any arrests.

Earlier in neighbouring Yala province, a lunchtime explosion in front of a restaurant in Lam Mai subdistrict injured six people, including three police officers who were in the area to set up a checkpoint.

Police said the bomb, triggered by mobile phone, was hidden in a motorbike parked in front of the restaurant.

The violence in the predominantly Muslim region, which erupted at the beginning of 2004, has killed more than 2,800 people so far.

Authorities have tightened security in the region after intelligence information suggested that Malay separatist insurgents might increase their violence during Chinese New Year.

In another incident yesterday afternoon, a religious teacher was shot dead in Yala's Raman district. Dorohmeng Bahawa was attacked while riding a motorbike home from a mosque where he teaches.

Source: The Nation - 05 February 2008

[sriracha john]

Thai police officers inspect a burnt pick-up truck used by Muslim militants in Yala province on February 5, 2008. Two men have been shot dead, police said.

REUTERS

[Jai Dee]

Islamic Committee of Thailand suggests PM use righteousness to end Southern unrest

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej allowed members of the Thai Central Committee of Islam to meet with him and congratulate him on his appointment as premier. Mr. Samak spoke with the committee and discussed the ongoing issue of Southern unrest in the three border provinces of the nation.

The committee recommended the Prime Minister use a stance of righteousness to tackle the problem. They asked that Mr. Samak declare the provinces to be clear of weapons and vices as well as employ the philosophy of sufficiency economy of His Majesty the King to entice peace in the region.

Mr. Samak assured that he would take on the suggestions of the committee and relay them to appropriate government agencies. He also said that there may be a Cabinet meeting this Friday (February 8).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 February 2008

[Jai Dee]

Bomb blast in Pattani during Chinese New Year

A bomb went off in front of a holy shrine in Sai Buri district of Pattani province this morning (February 6th), resulting in one injured army officer.

According to the police, the bomb was triggered when the security forces were safeguarding the Thai-Chinese descendants who were paying respect to the local shrine in Sai Buri district. The police believed the southern insurgents were behind the blast. However, the police could not identify the detonators.

One army officer was wounded from the explosion, and he is now being treated at local hospital in Sai Buri district.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 February 2008

[sriracha john]

Blast Went Off at Chinese Shrine in Pattani

Militants have detonated a bomb at a Chinese shrine in Pattani province, injuring seven during the Chinese New Year celebration. A blast has ripped through local shop close to a Chinese Shrine in Tambon Talupan in Pattani's Saiburi District.

Two soldiers, identified as Warrant Officer First Class Pongsak Nantapong and Warrant Officer Second Class Wiroj Shinsuwan, were critically injured.

Another three soldiers, First Class Warrant Officers Nantawat Kruawan, Soros Ritkamlang, and Chaiyong Topansa suffered injuries, and two locals, Korseng Chukhama and Tuanya Kareeya were critically injured as well.

The initial investigation indicates that militants detonated a bomb when a marine force team of the Pattani 23rd military task force, comprised of 12 soldiers, parked their pick-up truck five meters from a motorcycle with a five-kilogram bomb hidden inside.

Five of the soldiers were headed to the Chinese Shrine to contact authorities when the militant gang triggered the bomb. Police believe the militants aimed to cause chaos on the Chinese New Year.

Meanwhile, 200 police, soldiers, officials, and volunteers lined up in front of a fresh market in Betong Municipality to join a ceremony hosted before the guard operation began, to confirm the security of locals during the Chinese New Year celebration.

- Thailand Outlook

[Gravelrash]

I do not dispute your views on the matter of the Caliphate or the fact that those that are fomenting death and destruction live and act according to a set of rules that are very different than ours and that we must act accordingly. However, modern history shows, and we do live in the modern era, that an overly violent response does not work. The M.O. of modern terrorists has always been to provoke a repressive violent response in hopes that the public would rise up against the authorities. This is what the Red Brigades of Italy and Germany in the early 70's sought to do. The Basque separtists problem in Spain is similar to what we see in Thailand, save that the Spanish authorities have a better grip on the issue and have been able to contain the violence. What brought down the red Brigades was skilled intelligence work and targeted killings. What stopped the IRA was patience and resolve. The British model for dealing with the IRA over the past decade should serve as a lesson for many governments. What the Israelis understand and what most regular folks in the west do not, is that some cultures are predicated on violence and that when one gives a bit, the other party will keep pushing for more and more. Unfortunately, the Israelis cannot do what really needs to be done because it would result in a lot of deaths and bring down the wrath of the world upon it. So instead they opt for 1/2 measures that create suffering and misery for all and only continue the problems. That's sort of the current strategy in Thailand. People in charge sometimes have no idea what to do because the actions of the insurgents are so very different than their own cultural and mores. (That's the plural of morals for non english speakers )

Despite all the stories we hear about psycho violent Thais here in TV, Thailand is not a society predicated on genocide or wholescale destruction.However, under the right conditions it can and it will rear it's ugly head. All it will take is a large act of violence in a northern city for there to be a reaction similar to what one sees in India where Hindus have gone on mob killings of muslims. Many people may not see it, but Thailand is on the edge of such a predicament. Only a similar strategy to what the British used in Eire will bring results. That strategy involved cutting off funding to the IRA( the USA did it's part) and bringing in a neutral party to facilitate negotiations (General Chastelain from Canada did that). Would Thailand accept a neutral intermediary? Will Malaysia help cut the insurgents funding? Until that happens, the problems can't be addressed.

Very well put and I agree entirely.

One potential problem is the possibility that Thai politicians will see it as 'loss of face' if a foreign intermediary does some negotiating for them. Can they accept a foreigner negotiating over Thai sovereign soil?

One day I see it as inevitable that some 3rd party will have to come in and talk to the two sides, the sooner the better in my view and a new Government has the perfect opportunity for the 'new broom' approach. However the links to the old regime and it's iron fist solution to domestic problems bode poorly for that diplomatic solution.

Dialogue is the way forward however unpalatable that is in the short term.

I note more atrocities since I last looked here.

I agree with both of you, long running problems are extremely difficult to resolve, and those cited approaches work, for the usual insurgency. This whole Islamic thing hasn't played anywhere near out yet. In what other places have long term peaces been achieved with Islamic insurgencies?

You are assuming they can be placated and I hope you are correct. However I don't recall Ireland having suicide bombers, can you appreciate the mindless fanaticism required for that or those that gleefully send them off to do it? I fear that time will show that there is no compromise, this is a war to the end, time is not an issue, only the objectives.

If correct then the response will eventually be a matching utter brutality. We will in essense join then in the medieval age and that is what is frightening. I agree the Thais are up to it if provoked enough.

[sriracha john]

Yala's Local Volunteer Guard Gunned down by Insurgents

Militants gunned down a local volunteer guard at a district office in Yala Province. Police say the shooting aimed to scare locals who support the authorities.

Authorities inspected the scene where 21-year-old Muhammad Arbudee, a local volunteer guard from Betong District Office in Yala Province, was killed.

The deceased was reportedly gunned down at a local ice plant in Tambon Aiyerweng. The initial investigation indicates that at least two militants staged the shooting while the victim was inside. The militants parked their motorcycle in front of the place and opened fire using a shot gun.

Police say the shooting aimed to generate fear among locals after local spies recently gave information that led to the seizure of many explosive objects in the area on February 1st.

- Thailand Outlook

[submaniac]

My family is from Pattani, and right now my grandmother's house is sitting abandoned from all of the chaos. It just isn't safe, and my mother nor I have visited there in many years. I would have to disagree that the Muslim uprising is due to longstanding 'oppression' of the Muslim population, as some have claimed. About 20 some years ago, I would regularly visit Pattani. It seemed that the Muslims and the Buddhist's got along. And when I say that, I mean I had never heard of any violence between the two groups, or any tensions either. I even remember going around and marvelling at the Mosques there and wandering around on the outside (unless you were Muslim, you could not enter). There was never any problem. The Muslims had the same rights as the Buddhist Thais. That is why there are numerous Muslims on the police force, and holding high positions in the region.

The violence that is being perpetrated is either from the young punks who are on drugs or is being imported from Malaysia, sort of like the Muslims who all went to Afghanistan during the soviet era to fight the "Jihad". I find it very hard to believe the native Muslim population in the South is behind this or supports this.

I do not see how this will end peacefully soon. The insurgents are not fighting for equal rights. The Muslims already have this. They are not fighting for more concessions from the Central Thai government. What they want is complete succession from the Thai government and an independent state. This will never happen. 1) The South has one of the largest reserves of natural gas in the world and it is too big of a cash cow for the Thai government to cut loose 2) there are still alot of Buddhist, ethnic Thais there who WILL BE OPPRESSED should the insurgents gain autonomy.

I think Thaksin would have handled it the correct way had he not been kicked out by the coup. The only way to deal with this level of mindless violence is with a heavy hand.

[Scott]

I think you have to be careful about saying the Muslims aren't oppressed. Oppression can be something that is subjective as well as objective.