No End In Sight As South Thai Rebellion Enters Fifth Year

[TAWP]

And I'll think you'll find that most oppressive regimes against people of the 'wrong' faith are those govern under the rule of Islam.

Just take a look around...

[sriracha john]

Meanwhile, the bombings continue today...

2 soldiers injured in Yala bomb attack

Yala - Two soldiers were injured when insurgents detonated a bomb to ambush them Saturday morning. The attack occurred at 9:40 am on the Yala - Krong Penang Road in Moo 7 village of Tambon Krong Penang in Krong Penang district.

Police said the two soldiers and four others were patrolling the road on motorcycles when the insurgents detonated the bomb to ambush them.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

and of course, the shootings as well...

Three killed drive-by shootings in Yala

Yala - A Muslim woman and two Muslim men were killed in two separate drive-by shootings here Saturday morning. In the first incident, Pahiya Waesue, was fatally shot by a pillion rider when she was riding her motorcycle on a village road in Raman district at 9:50 am. She died at the Kapho Hospital.

The second incident happened t 10 am in Bannang Sata district. The two slain victims were identified as Muso Laoya, 48, a janitor of Ban Sakhu School in Bannang Sata and Waesamaha Kajalaki, 57, an assistant village head of Moo 2 village in Tambon Bacho of Bannang Satang.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Four policemen shot injured in Southern Thailand

BANGKOK -- Police stationed at a local school were under gun attack by an unknown number of insurgents on Monday afternoon in Thailand's southernmost province of Yala, leaving four policemen injured.

According to the FM100 Traffic Radio of Thailand, unknown number of insurgents shot at the policemen before the school in Than To district at about 3:15 p.m. local time (0815 GMT). Four policemen were injured and three of them were in critical condition.

All the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital after the insurgents escaped the scene.

The police team's daily duty is providing protection to the teachers of the school because teachers in Thai South were often attacked by insurgents since the insurgency resumed in 2004.

Thailand's three southernmost provinces -- Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani have been troubled with insurgency-related violence. During the past three years, more than 2,800 have been killed and over 10,000 injured.

- Xinhua

[Scott]

Does the gov't publish or show the trends in violence, location, seriousness etc., or is this all kept under raps. It seems like there is a lot of information that should be out there, but isn't.

[triffid]

If country X wishes to keep territory populated by people of a different ethnicity, religion, culture and language - and this kind of thing has of course happened many times in many parts of the world - it can go about resolving the inevitable reaction/resistance/insurgency/terrorism (call it what you will) in a number of ways.

Relatively recent examples:

Poland and Czhekoslovakia annexed chunks of Germany after the WW. Their solution was to literally drive out the entire population. This was easy to do because they were dealing with a defeated Germany.

Tamils in Sri Lanka (differing language/religion/culture, ethnicity?). Sri Lanka wished to clamp down on the differences and impose a central authority. Result is a long running and vicious insurgency. (Turkey/Kurds ditto)

Spain vis a vis the Basques and Catalans (differing language/culture/ethnicity-basques). Their way was to grant cultural. linguistic and administrativee autonomy. Result growing peace. (Canada/Quebecois; Italy/S Tyroleans; ditto).

Then there was Indonesia and E Timor, or Serbia/Kosovo (differing ethnicity/religion/culture/language). Solution there was military intervention to wrest independence for the minority.

Many other such wars are going on nowadays.

Thailand so far refuses to contemplate linguistic/cultural/legal/administrative autonomy. Instead they are trying to change the cultural/linguistic/nationalistic aspirations of the next generation, while militarily holding down the population. Result - an insurgency that includes attacks on schools/school teachers (seen as subverters of the local culture/language.) About a fortnight ago I read an op ed by a Thai commentator in the Bangkok Post stating that a large measure of administrative and legal autonomy was the only way to end the violence. I wonder if the Thais will try that; but I doubt it.

PS

Gravelrash refers to suicide attacks. He may want to recall that the Japanese kamikaze did it when they became desperate; and that Sri Lankan Tamils have been doing it now for 15-20 years -both rather before that started with insurgents in current wars in muslim countries. In each case the cause was/is not religion (shinto? hindu, muslim) but politics/nationalism of some sort - or the refusal to accept defeat to superior armed force.

Interestingly the Thai government itself regularly makes statements that the insurgency has nothing to do with religion. (And I'm sure the insurgents would say the same.)

[Mosha]

The Bangkok Post is saying that Chalerm, is hinting at some form of Autinomy for the 5 southern provinces with a Muslim majority. Samark is cool on the idea.

[Scott]

There are no easy answers. But they need to start somewhere.

[aaaaaa]

The Bangkok Post is saying that Chalerm, is hinting at some form of Autinomy for the 5 southern provinces with a Muslim majority. Samark is cool on the idea.

here it is mentioned in international news :

Thailand weighs self-rule for south

Tue Feb 12, AP

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand is considering granting partial autonomy to its Muslim-majority southern provinces, which for the past four years have been the scene of a bloody Islamic insurgency, the new interior minister said Tuesday....

While conceding that some degree of self-rule in the south "is a possibility," Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobambrung said independence for the region was out of the question.

"Thailand is one state that can't be divided, but we must find a way to make the situation better," he said. "We can't sit still and wait to be killed."

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said autonomy was a "delicate issue"...

Chalerm said intelligence suggested the militants are planning to expand their violent campaign to southern Thailand's tourist and commercial hub, Hat Yai....

Autonomy is "the lesser evil" in this case, and probably inevitable sooner or later.

after all, attempts to suppress the Language and culture has caused many independences in this region:

1) Bangladesh independence from Pakistan in 70s - even though both have same predominant religion. in South Thailand though religion factor is relevant, unlike it was in East Pakistan (Bangladesh). West Pakistan unsuccessfully tried to supress the Bengalis' effort to preserve thei language and culture by brutal genocide. Ironically, Bengalis (Muslims) did almost the same genocide towards indigenous folks (Hindu or Bhuddists) of Chittagong Hill Tracts, only on smaller scale for 15 or 20 years till 1997.

2) Singapore quit Malaysian Federation due to similar racial and religious issues (Ideological differences, 1964 Race Riots and 1969 riots).

3) Brunei quit Malaysian Federation mostly due to economical reasons.

4) Karen (many of them Christians) are still fighting Bamars (Buddhists) for independence in Myanmar.

5) Hmong fought in Laos in 60s-70s, then persecuted, died in "re-education camps", formed guerrilla and fought back and allegedly even tried to overthrow present government as recently as 6 months back. Thailand sends them back to Laos time and again. They remain hunted, dispersed, repatriated and discriminated people in Laos.

6) East Timor's struggle against brutal Indon rule (resulted in referendum for either Special Autonomy or complete

Independence).

7) Irian Jaya / West Papua also suffered a lot from Indon army (1/6 population slaughtered), "special autonomy" given only on words, but never really granted. Free Papua Movement struggles for independence over 40 years.

8)Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Philippines fighting for their Bangsamoro Muslim homeland already almost 50 years.

surely more examples could be given as Eastern (and not only) states in India, Tamils in Sri Lanka etc ...

it is nicely summed up in there, this ethnic separatism is common all over SEA:

On a larger scale, the Philippine insurgency is an outgrowth of the division of the Malay Archipelago by European and American colonial powers...

The colonies that became the nations of Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand lumped together and split indigenous peoples of hundreds of languages and cultures ... into modern nations, trying to assimilate them into "nationalities." There is no doubt that all of these indigenous groups have suffered immeasurably to avoid destruction of their culture, language, and livelihood, and only now is there awareness of the need to protect indigenous peoples. The Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia are all signatories to International Treaties on self-determination of indigenous peoples.

Interestingly, Thailand is one of these "signatories" !

well, let's see if they'll finally give Autonomy to Yawi speaking Southern Muslims.

let us bet: will Thailand allow Pattani Autonomy sooner than USA allow Lakota Nation succeed in their alleged secession ?

I think Thailand will do it sooner. or perhaps neither Thailand nor US will ever allow their indigenous peoples choose their destiny, as well as all other above mentioned countries.

Edited February 14, 2008 by aaaaaa

[sriracha john]

Seems as the turmoil in Bangkok grows, the ignored Deep South responds...

Rebels step up attacks

Southern militants killed 3 people and wounded 4 others in a string of bombings and shootings, authorities reported. In a drive-by shooting, insurgents armed with M16 rifles shot and wounded Madae Apibanbae and her daughter while they were travelling to their jobs in a rubber plantation in violence-ridden Bannang Sata district of Yala province. Taken to hospital, Mrs Apibanbae told police that two assailants opened fire on the two women, then fled the scene. At about the same time, another Muslim rubber tapper, Rofee Gaya, was shot and killed, while his wife was unscathed. In Narathiwat province, other military gunmen shot dead two villagers and wounded another. A bomb in Pattani, also on Thursday morning, wounded 3 soldiers on patrol. A similar roadside bomb also wounded 3 other soldiers on Wednesday night while they were on

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/tops...s.php?id=125928

[Jai Dee]

"Three Friendship" policy handed to southern peacekeepers

The peacekeeping forces in the three southern border provinces of Thailand received the Three Friendship policy, aimed at promoting peace in the restive South.

This morning (February 15th) at Haad Kaew Resort in Singh Nakhon district of Songkhla province, the 4th Region Army Commander and Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Director, Lt. Gen. Wirot Buacharun (วิโรจน์ บัวจรูญ), together with the Director of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), Mr. Pranai Suwannarat (พระนาย สุวรรณรัฐ), the Civilian-Police-Military Task Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Jirapan Kasemsantisuk (จิรพันธ์ เกษมศานติ์สุข), and the Commander of the National Police Operations Center, Pol. Lt. Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew (อดุลย์ แสงสิงแก้ว), handed the "Three Friendship" policy to more than 200 civilians, police and military officials working in the deep South.

The policy aims at building peace in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand.

The meeting today allowed the security and peacekeeping forces to exchange their ideas while acknowledging their commanders' instructions at the same time.

The meeting also allowed relevant units to revise their operations while strengthening ties and building more cohesiveness between different task forces.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 February 2008

[aaaaaa]

"Three Friendship" policy handed to southern peacekeepers

The peacekeeping forces in the three southern border provinces of Thailand received the Three Friendship policy, aimed at promoting peace in the restive South.

The policy aims at building peace in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand.

What a joke !

reminds me of similar "policy" during Thaksin's rule - making origami and sending them to the South also aimed at promoting peace in the South

why not give those folks something more substantial - like right to learn and use their language, and other things they demand, as human rights. what friendship ? under strong military presence and thorough consistent "Thaisation" attempt ?

[sriracha john]

Despite the new "Three Friendship" policy... today is not starting off well...

Rubber farmer gunned down in Pattani

A group of unidentified gunmen shot dead a rubber farmer named Mr. Ma-anwa Dorheng in Panare district of Pattani province this morning.

The gunmen opened fire while Mr. Ma-anwa was drinking tea in front of his residence before traveling to the rubber plantation. Following the shooting, the farmer died and the culprits were able to escape.

However, the security forces have set up checkpoints in Panare along the main routes to prevent the gunmen from escaping to other districts and provinces and causing another unrest situation.

- ThaiNews

Edited February 16, 2008 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

Democrats to suggest remedy to Southern Unrest

Chairman of the Democrat party Advisors Chuan Leekpai (ชวน หลีกภัย) stated that he will not be speaking at the policy declaration today as the party has chosen MPs from his area to take part in the announcement. The representative is set to suggest remedies for the Southern Unrest to the government.

The Democrat Party is also planning to demand clarity on the government’s policies to tackle the unrest and whether or not it will promote unity. The party states that as the People Power Party has shown its persistence to reinstate former administration Thai Rak Thai policies it would like to know whether the southern unrest issue is still considered a matter of minor criminal elements.

Mr. Chuan also stated that he would like the Prime Minister to clarify who he considers is the “invisible hand” that he mentioned recently. He said that making such comments with information may cause disunity.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 Febuary 2008

[sriracha john]

No let up in sight....

Three shot dead in Thai southern violence

BANGKOK -- Three local residents, including a government official, were killed in separate attacks launched by local militants Saturday evening.

In the southernmost Pattani Province, an official of sub-district administrative organization was killed on the spot by a lone gunman while praying in a mosque in Thung Yangdaeng district at about 7 p.m.

Two other persons who were also praying were injured in the attack.

Police said some 40 people were praying when the gunman walked in and opened fire before fleeing on a motorcycle.

Meanwhile, a local resident in Pattani was gunned down by militants riding motorcycles while he was sitting in front of a tea shop.

In nearby Narathiwat province, a resident was also shot dead in a drive-by shooting while riding a motorcycle.

- Xinhua

[sriracha john]

Gunman Kills Muslim Politician in Mosque Attack in Restive Southern Thailand

BANGKOK, Thailand — A gunman opened fire inside a mosque in Thailand's restive south, killing a Muslim politician who was among dozens gathered for evening prayers, police said Sunday.

The gunman entered the mosque in Pattani province Saturday evening and joined about 40 others who were kneeled in prayer. He then pulled out a gun and shot Madori Buraheng, a 40-year-old town official, at close range before fleeing on a motorcycle, said army spokesman Col. Akara Thiprote.

"Initial investigations show that it might be connected to a local political feud and not the Muslim insurgency," said Akara. "It was definitely a targeted attack since no one else got hurt."

Drive-by shootings and bombings occur almost daily in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces, the only Muslim-majority areas of the Buddhist country.

Muslims seen as collaborators with the government are targeted by the insurgent violence along with Buddhists.

Last May, gunmen sprayed gunfire inside a mosque in Songkhla province, which borders Pattani province, killing seven worshippers. Officials blamed Muslim rebels for the attack.

- Associated Press

[sriracha john]

making the statement, "We will not be ignored"...

Insurgents Kill and Torch Body of Pattani State Official

Late last night militants killed and torched the body of a state official in Pattani province and injured his associate.

Police officers from Yaring district in Pattani province inspected a crime scene on Ban Tanyongjue-nga-Donpasak Road after receiving reports about a shooting incident.

Police found the torched body of 46-year-old Netr Noh-uma and his 34-year-old friend Somchai Chanhom, who was shot in the leg. Both worked at the Highway Department office in the district.

Both officials were heading home from work on their motorcycles when a group of militants opened fire on them. Netr was shot and his body torched by the militants, but Somchai managed to escape on his motorcycle.

Police suspect the killing was the work of southern insurgents to stir up more trouble in the area.

- Thailand Outlook

[BigSnake]

Why can't we all get along, ashameful, wasteful loss of life

[Heng]

The police and army death squads are doing a good job in terms of keeping it all in the south. Hopefully not too many innocents are being lost.

[sriracha john]

Further clarification of below story... he wasn't killed and THEN burned... it was the reverse of that order...

making the statement, "We will not be ignored"...

Insurgents Kill and Torch Body of Pattani State Official

Late last night militants killed and torched the body of a state official in Pattani province and injured his associate.

- Thailand Outlook

Man burnt alive in Thailand

Thailand: A 46-year-old Buddhist man was shot and then set ablaze as he tried to escape an attack by suspected Islamic separatists on Tuesday in Thailand’s Muslim-majority south, police said.

Netr Noh-uma, a highway department official, was shot as he was riding a motorcycle with a colleague in Pattani, one of three provinces along the Malaysian border hit by four years of separatist unrest, police said.

A 34-year-old man was riding the motorcycle with him. He was also shot but managed to run away, police said.

Netr was too seriously wounded to escape. Police said that when he fell off the motorcycle, two militants doused him with petrol and set him on fire.

“They burned him alive after he was shot and fell from his motorbike.

- AFP

[Jai Dee]

Interior Minister says core problem and solution to Southern Unrest should not be revealed to public

Minister of Interior Police Captain Chalerm Yoobamrung stated that although he is eager to take on the advice of his elders, after speaking with ten of them, he was given conflicting answers. He said that the issue of the Southern Unrest should be dealt with classified policies as he himself realizes what the causes are but feels they would be inappropriate to speak publicly about.

On the issue of Police Captain Chalerm’s push for a special governing zone in the southern border provinces he said that the idea isn’t as controversial as many people and he would like the opportunity to explain his proposal. He revealed that he has met with many representatives from the provinces who have explained their feelings and suggestions to him, which have made him confident on the use of special governing zones to allow for administration that is sensitive to the unique aspects of the region.

The Interior Minister said that the government must press on with transparency and honesty to insure sustainable improvement to the south. He said that he himself will no longer lock his office door and allow for all government officials to meet him and keep the administrations work moving forward.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 February 2008

[Jai Dee]

Para Rubber Council of Thailand calls on government to aid in preventing insurgent attacks on southern agriculturists

The Para Rubber Council of Thailand is calling on the government to provide assistance to southern agriculturists affected by the southern insurgency.

The Chairman of the Para Rubber Council of Thailand, Mr. Uthai Sonlaksup (อุทัย สอนหลักทรัพย์), reports that insurgents in the three southern border provinces and 4 districts of Songkhla province are causing great grievance to para rubber agriculturists who are unable to safely harvest their crops. Many agriculturists have been injured or killed by insurgent ambushes while several rubber plantations have suffered damages.

The Association of Rubber Agriculturists of Thailand is therefore asking the Para Rubber Association of Thailand to speak on its behalf and call on proper authorities to handle the problem. Mr. Uthai revealed that on February 28 he and rubber agriculturists will be meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives in order to propose that the government supply growth hormones for rubber trees.

The initiative will allow rubber crops to be harvested during daylight hours, which will greatly reduce the danger from insurgent ambushes.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 February 2008

[Jai Dee]

Royal Thai Army reports reduced insurgent movements due to greater cooperation from southern residents

The Spokesperson to the Royal Thai Army reports that local residents in the southern provinces are cooperating more closely with authorities resulting in a reduction in insurgent activities.

Army Spokesperson Col. Akara Tiparoj (อัคร ทิพโรจน์) reports that residents in the restive south are becoming stronger and are more willing to cooperate with authorities in reporting suspicious incidents and complying with security precautions. This has forced insurgents to shift their activities to more remote rural areas.

Local officials say that insurgents will resort to threats and coercion on rural citizens, resulting in great suffering due to the inability of agriculturists to safely harvest their crops. Volunteer army rangers have been integrated into rural communities in order to provide greater protection to residents.

The Army Spokesperson added that authorities have learned from past mistakes and are readjusting their strategy to more effectively suppress insurgent activities. The Army is confident that no violence will occur during this period.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 February 2008

[Jai Dee]

Insurgents gun down 2 at Pattani mosque

Southern officials report that a mosque shooting occurred early this morning in Panare (ปะนาเระ) district of Pattani province.

Pol. Col. Naricha Suwanlapa (พ.ต.อ.นฤชา สุวรรณลาภา ), Superintendent of the Panare (ปะนาเระ) district precinct reports that he was informed of a shooting at the Ban Klong (บ้านคลอง) Mosque and immediately led a response unit to the scene. Police officers found a deceased man at the site, later identified as Mr. Anan Wama (อนันต์ วามะ), and another severely injured man, identified as Mr. Marakan Ngoh (มัรกัน เงาะ).

Investigations revealed that both victims were shot near the mosque entrance when 2 armed assailants on motorbike conducted a drive-by shooting. Authorities are certain that insurgents are responsible for the incident.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 Febuary 2008

[Jai Dee]

Home-made bombs explode in Thai south

Three home-made bombs exploded in Thailand's far southern province Narathiwat Friday morning, no reports of casualties.

The first explosion occurred at 7:10 a.m. (0010GMT) in front of a motorcycle shop in Narathiwat's Sungai Padi district, according to the news website of media group The Nation.

While officials were checking the explosion scene, the second and third bombs went off about 900 meters and one kilometer from the first site respectively in the same district, the report said.

Authorities have yet to determine who were behind the bombings.

Narathiwat and the nearby Yala and Pattani provinces in the southernmost part of Thailand have been troubled with unabated insurgent violence for four years.

Authorities have blamed mostly Muslim separatists, as well as drug dealers, for launching the violent attacks against government officials, security forces, teachers and other civilians. At least 2,800 people have been killed in the region.

Source: Xinhua - 22 Febuary 2008

[Jai Dee]

Islamic insurgency in southern Thailand intensifies

RAE POH (Thailand) - THE tea shop is abandoned. Rubber plantations stand untended. Soldiers constantly patrol the one-lane road leading into this Muslim village.

Rae Poh was once designated a 'green zone' village, one of more than 1,600 such islands of peace amid the violence that has torn Thailand's southern tip since a Muslim insurgency erupted four years ago. Then, on Jan 14, insurgents ambushed an army patrol about 2 kilometres away, killing all eight soldiers and beheading one of them.

Now Rae Poh is a 'red zone' - one of some 320 loosely designated by the authorities as insurgent hotbeds and under virtual military siege.

Their number is up from 215 at the end of 2004, the first year of the insurgency - a dramatic example of the failures of a government hearts-and-minds campaign to quell an uprising that has taken more than 2,900 lives.

The insurgency worsened as the government of Thaksin Shinawatra adopted an iron-fist policy. The military regime that overthrew him in 2006 tried a conciliatory approach, apologising for Thaksin's crackdown. But since December the violence has escalated. Now Thailand again has an elected government, and the insurgency is its big challenge.

The rebels have never made public their demands, but researchers who have spoken to them say they are seeking an independent Islamic state in the three southernmost provinces that were a Muslim sultanate until annexed by Buddhist-majority Thailand a century ago.

The new government describes the insurgency as a security problem that the military, with 40,000 troops and police in the south, can handle. But on the ground, 800 kilometres from the capital, Bangkok, a senior army officer says the military can't resolve the crisis alone.

'We have managed to suppress the violence in a number of red zones but I acknowledge we still don't have strong political or communications teams that work to create understanding with villagers after something like this happens,' said Lieutenant-General Veerachai Nakwanit, referring to the January ambush.

'Soldiers can provide security,' said Lt-Gen Veerachai, who heads military operations in Rae Poh's Narathiwat province. 'But men in uniform can't do much to win the trust of the people, especially when the other side is relying on religious leaders for its political work.'

A reporter, who had to talk her way past a suspicious army commander to enter Rae Poh one week after the attack, found soldiers reluctant to go in and villagers afraid to go out.

The night before the attack, the normally bustling village market and tea shop were unusually quiet. Investigations later showed that insurgents had been planning the attack for at least three days from a nearby jungle hideout, said Colonel Kanart Nikornyanond, whose unit is based in a deserted Buddhist monastery near Rae Poh.

Nobody from Rae Poh stepped forward to report the suspicious activity, despite his troops' efforts to cultivate trust, he said.

'We thought we had a good relationship with the local Muslims here, but they don't trust us and they are scared of the insurgents,' the colonel said.

Ms Pati Mudoloh, whose son Isamael was detained after the ambush, acknowledged that villagers noticed something amiss but said they were too frightened to talk to the soldiers.

'What's the point?' she asked. 'They already suspect we Muslims are all insurgents.' After the ambush, troops searched homes and found traces of explosives and gunpowder. At least 17 men were detained, of whom four have been released.

One of those held is Ms Mena Jeh-ha's 19-year-old son, Asaman. He is accused of triggering the bomb that flipped the soldiers' vehicle before insurgents unleashed a barrage of gunfire, leaving no survivors.

The soldiers 'came into the house, searched thoroughly and asked if I had a son. They took him away when he came back', said Mena, wiping away tears with her veil. 'I don't want him to be beaten or tortured. He didn't do anything wrong.' Authorities say that an ion scan showed traces of ammonium nitrate, a bomb-making ingredient, on Asaman's body.

Many innocent young men get caught up in the sweeps, experts say.

'They are taking the breadwinners of the family,' said Mr Zachary Abuza, an expert on terrorism in South-east Asia at Simmons College in Boston. 'It could be counterproductive in the long run and add fuel to the already tense situation.' Mr Masoh Maeh, a southern Muslim leader sympathetic to the government, said the authorities face a long fight.

'The insurgents have their own agenda and they are not just reacting to one policy or another,' he said. 'That's what makes it difficult. As long as they still have ammunition, they set the agenda, not the government.'

The problem, he said, 'is deeply rooted in history and no matter what the government does, they can't change that immediately'. In Rae Poh, villagers watch approaching soldiers with suspicion.

'Women and children keep their heads down.

'Every house is dead quiet by four,' said Ms Parida Makeh, a Muslim woman whose house was also searched on the day after the incident. 'We don't want to keep the lights or the TV on. It's better not to attract too much attention, so we just say our prayers and go to bed, hoping they won't come back to search the house or take more people away.' The village lives off rubber-tapping, but some villagers said they are too scared to go to the plantation, even under military protection.

'We don't want to go out at dawn with the soldiers wielding their guns. They said it's for our protection but, after all, they suspect our kids were involved in the attack. Who knows what they will do to us?' Ms Parida said. 'The insurgents could be out there too. It's not worth it.'

Source: New Straits Times - 22 Febuary 2008

[Scott]

The situation gets increasingly sad. At least in an all out war, people know enough to get out of Dodge, so to speak--and I am not advocating an all out war. The problem is that with so many detentions, the situation should be improving. Since it's not, it would indicate they are detaining the wrong people. It's a problem with the police as well, who make a convenient arrest, and meanwhile the real outlaws live to break the law again.

It doesn't bode well for the country.

[sriracha john]

Insurgents threw nails across Yala-Lamai route, damaging many vehicles

This morning (February 23rd), a group of suspected insurgents scattered nails on the route connecting Yala and Lamai, resulting in damage to many vehicles. Police and military forces however are now prepared to deal with potential insurgency in the southern border province of Yala.

In addition, the perpetrators yesterday set off a bomb at Yala Rajabhat University, causing injuries to two students and one school official. Security officials however have identified three suspects after examining the tapes from the closed circuit television in the campus. According to the investigation, all the three suspects are university students.

- ThaiNews

[sriracha john]

Muslim rebel leader calls for referendum on autonomy for restive southern Thailand

BANGKOK, Thailand: An exiled Muslim rebel leader warned Thailand's new government that a violent Islamic insurgency in the south could worsen if the region is denied sovereignty, renewing debate Friday over a possible referendum on autonomy.

The comments from Lukman B. Lima, who heads the Pattani United Liberation Organization from exile in Sweden, were the first from the Muslim rebel movement since Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his Interior Minister made conflicting remarks on the issue earlier this month.

"The worst-case scenario can still be avoided, but only if Samak and the military forces allow the people of Pattani to determine their own future," Lukman said in an e-mailed statement received by The Associated Press on Friday.

"If, in a referendum sanctioned by Bangkok, Pattani chooses independence, there will be one less border in the world marked by endemic conflict," he said.

Thailand annexed the independent sultanate of Pattani in the early 20th century, and the mostly Muslim region is now divided into three provinces — Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala. Residents have long complained of being treated as second-class citizens in the predominantly Buddhist country. Past governments have failed to quell the insurgency despite the presence of 40,000 troops and police officers in the region.

Lukman's organization, known by the acronym PULO, is one of several groups involved in a century-old struggle for independence in the south. More than 2,900 people have died since violence flared in 2004. Drive-by shootings and small-scale bombings occur almost daily.

Four small bombs exploded in the region Friday. Authorities blamed Muslim rebels.

One of the blasts wounded three people at Yala's Rajabhat University, said police Col. Pumpet Pipathphetphum. The rebels often target public schools and other buildings associated with the government.

Three other small bombs went off in different parts of Narathiwat, said army spokesman Col. Akara Thiprote. No casualties were reported.

It was not clear to what extent Lukman's comments reflected the views of the other shadowy groups involved in the insurgency. PULO is the only rebel organization to comment on the fighting, and its leaders have been in self-imposed exile in Sweden for several years.

Nimukta Waba, a Muslim lawmaker from Pattani province, said Friday he did not believe Lukman knew what people in the region wanted.

"The local people are only demanding justice, fair treatment and equal rights," said Nimukta, a member of the Puea Pandin Party — a member of the government's ruling coalition. "I think at least 90 percent of people here do not want autonomy. It would be useless to hold a referendum."

Akara, the regional army spokesman, noted that 75 percent of voters in the south cast ballots at the Dec. 23 general election.

"This means the majority of people agree with the democratic system of rule in Thailand and do not want to separate from the country," Akara said by telephone from the army's southern command headquarters in Yala.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobambrung said this month that the new government would consider granting partial autonomy to the region. Samak responded that it would be dangerous to grant self-rule to the south — apparently overruling Chalerm, who quickly retracted his comments, saying he did not want the issue to "create conflict and start an argument."

- Associated Press

[Jai Dee]

More than 12,000 police officers to be deployed in deep South during senatorial election

Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol.Lt.Gen.Adul Saengsingkaew (อดุลย์ แสงสิงแก้ว), says the police has prepared more than 12,000 officers to provide security during the senatorial election on March 2nd.

The deputy commissioner-general says the officers will be dispatched to 2,500 polling stations in the three Southern border provinces and four districts in Songkhla province. The officers will operate around the clock to safeguard the areas.

Pol.Lt.Gen.Adul says further that security measures will be stepped up in the three provinces and the four districts to ensure maximum security for the voters and the delivery of ballot boxes.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 February 2008