8 Wounded As Gunmen Attack Southern Thai Temple

[Mai Krap]

http://www.pr-inside.com/wounded-as-gunmen...rn-r1338231.htm

8 wounded as gunmen attack southern Thai temple

© AP

2009-06-22 19:44:04 -

PATTANI, Thailand (AP) - Suspected Muslim insurgents opened fire on a Buddhist temple in southern Thailand on Monday, wounding eight people, an army officer said. Lt. Col. Piyawat Chalermsri said at least four attackers shot into the compound of the temple in Narathiwat province as about 30 people were taking part in an aerobics class there. Buddhist temples often serve as community centers in Thailand.

The wounded included a 1-year-old girl and a local Muslim, said Piyawat. The temple hosts a small army encampment, like others in the insurgency-plagued region. «The security forces fired back as soon at the attack began, otherwise there might have been more casualties,» Piyawat said, adding that the attackers arrived on motorcycles. More than 3,500 people have been killed in Thailand's three southernmost provinces since a separatist insurgency flared up in January 2004. Since the start of this month, 36 people have been killed and more than 100 have been wounded in violence in the region.

The most deadly incident was killing of 10 Muslims at a mosque in Narathiwat on June 8. Some Thai authorities blamed the mosque attack on insurgents, claiming it was meant to inflame tensions between the Muslim and Buddhist communities. Rumors have also circulated that the mosque attack was masterminded by Thai authorities, something strongly denied by the government. The insurgents make no public pronouncements, but are thought to be fighting to carve out an independent Muslim state in the three southern provinces. While many there do not support the rebels, there is widespread distrust among Muslims of the predominantly Buddhist Thai authorities.

[Scott]

I am curious as to how people think the proposed change in the religious make-up of the south is to happen?

[sbk]

Well, thats a first. Deleting nearly every single post in a thread.

Please read the forum rules again before posting as further such posts will result in a posting rights suspension. Thai Visa will not tolerate "hate posts"

[Mai Krap]

Well, thats a first. Deleting nearly every single post in a thread.

That was pretty bad, seems people are getting more extreme in commentary. Maybe its just the South in general as a subject, few have very much knowledge about what is going on down there. Even less have enough idea to actually make logical comment on the subject.

[shiatsuman]

Well, thats a first. Deleting nearly every single post in a thread.

That was pretty bad, seems people are getting more extreme in commentary. Maybe its just the South in general as a subject, few have very much knowledge about what is going on down there. Even less have enough idea to actually make logical comment on the subject.

I am one who knows little about the situation in the south. All i can coment on is that it is rather sad that the army post should be in the Temple grounds , this can only help polarise a Buhdist/government Muslem/insurgent position, but then I don't know the local situation.

Lets hope that there can be some more less extreme posts on the subject .