Hundreds Of Thai Schools Shut Over Militant Attacks

[kevvy]

@Simple1 Sorry to see your post was deleted but thinking about it, nothing was added by you that was Thai related which needs to be done. Perhaps you would care to rewrite in the context of Thailand but leave out the Golden Era stuff which in tenuous to say the least.

The problems in the south are a huge issue and Thailand needs to get to grips with it before it gets out of hand... and it will get out of hand. Long live the King because Thailand needs him.

before it gets out of hand?? what do you call it now

[MaxYakov]

Article: "Militants view the school system as an effort by Bangkok to impose Buddhist culture on the south".

notmyself: "Utter rubbish, the objection is to education in general".

Education is promoted by Islam and some of the first universities and libraries were established in Islamic countries. e.g. The University of Fez claims to have had a continuous existence since 859 AD. Where I live in Pattaya, the local Muslim children attend the government schools or if the parents can afford to do so attend private Thai schools. They absolutely encourage the children to have an education. For education regards Islam they attend school at the mosque on Saturday.

It is terrible that more than 60 teachers have been murdered during the past five years in the Deep South. I understand the local language is not used in the schools and the "insurgents" see the curricula as a tool for eroding their culture. This objection no way justifies the killing of teachers. Hopefully a member of TV who has deeper knowledge can confirm if this is correct/incorrect; not just babble on with generalised misinformed comments about Muslims in Thailand.

I have all the respect in the world for the intellectual achievements of muslims 1100 years ago when they showed tolerance and open-mindedness. If I met Harun al-Rashid today, I would be honored to shake his hand. Harun, on the other hand, would shake his head mournfully when he found out how his religion and culture has drifted into the benighted, death-loving mire of intolerance in which it finds itself today. Islam, as it is often practiced today, is more of a dangerous criminal psychosis than a religion.

Still, in sheer numbers Muslims are in the minority of terrorists worldwide. In fact, even pro-rata Muslims have a lower number of terrorists than many other ethnic groups.

technologybytes: Your statements may be correct, but can you provide substantiating sources?

Muslim sheer numbers and pro-rata, aside, the U.S. Government's National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) report for 2011 says this:

"Sunni extremists accounted for the greatest number of terrorist attacks and fatalities for the third consecutive year. More than 5,700 incidents were attributed to Sunni extremists, accounting for nearly 56 percent of all attacks and about 70 percent of all fatalities. Among this perpetrator group, al-Qa‘ida (AQ) and its affiliates were responsible for at least 688 attacks that resulted in almost 2,000 deaths, while the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan conducted over 800 attacks that resulted in nearly 1,900 deaths. Secular, political, and anarchist groups were the next largest category of perpetrators, conducting 2,283 attacks with 1,926 fatalities, a drop of 5 percent and 9 percent, respectively, from 2010."

Counter-jihad-report article: http://counterjihadr...ism-statistics/

NCTC 2011 Report PDF: http://www.nctc.gov/...eport_Final.pdf

If I were under a terrorist attack, I believe I'd be more concerned about how effective they would be than what percentage of the Muslim population they may or may not represent ... if you get my drift.

Edited November 27, 2012 by MaxYakov

[simple1]

I would recommend the closing of all musim madrasas, children being required to attend schools with an approved curricula. But I doubt this would stop the school related violence, as the exremists show as much regard for their own as they do their other victims.

Simple 1 ignores the ongoing muslim disdain for female education reported all too often. How many female students has the University of Fez had in its long history?

We are talking about Thai Muslims, not some Islamic country dictated to by Islamic extremists. As far as I have experienced living in a Thai Muslim community, Thai Muslims are not against female education, unless you are talking about a small minority that comprises Islamic extremists.

That would be the lot with guns and bombs then? Fez, female students????

Where I live I've yet to come across any Islamic extremists. I'm sure wherever they exist they would be armed.

The mods have not deleted your off topic post, so will respond. I did look up the status of female education in Morocco & whilst it's mandated by government, still cultural resistance especially in the poorer areas. The elite of Moroccan society would gain education in overseas universities. There has been some improvement for the status of women e.g. Morocco has experienced an increase in female literacy and this is in parallel to a drop in the rate of population growth, with the average Moroccan woman now bearing approximately three children in her lifetime, a figure less than half from 30 years ago, as well as a drop in the average marrying age, now 25-26, up from 17 in earlier decades.

Edited November 27, 2012 by simple1

[webfact]

SOUTH CRISIS

Schools in deep south remain closed as violence continues unabated

YALA: -- Violence continued in deep southern province of Yala on Tuesday, with hundreds of schools in the region remaining closed on Tuesday as teachers' associations protested the government's failure to tackle insurgency problems.

President of Teachers' Federation in Narathiwat, Sanguan Indhrarak said that if the problems remained unsolved, more schools would be closed.

The teachers' associations and federations in the region decided to close 332 schools in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat with effect from November 23. The decision was taken after a female school director in Pattani's Nong Chik district, Nuntana Kaewjan was gunned down a day earlier about 100 metres from her school.

Sanguan said the teachers' organisations were closely watching the situation and if it did not improve, more schools in the provinces would be closed.

"We demand that security authorities review their safety measures and plans to restore confidence and morale among educational personnel, particularly teachers and students," he said.

The morale of the personnel is now at its lowest level following repeated violence and deaths of their colleagues in the region.

Meanwhile forensic officials collected the shells of five M-79 grenades at an army post, which was attacked on Monday in Yala's Bannang Sata district. Three soldiers were slightly wounded in the attack.

The explosions, which occurred around 8pm, also damaged the library roof at the nearby Ban Bajoh school.

After the explosions, both sides exchanged gunfire for 15 minutes before the insurgents managed to escape.

Useng Longdeva, director of the school, abruptly suspended all classes on Monday. It has 474 students and 28 teachers and other educational personnel.

-- The Nation 2012-11-27

[simple1]

For those who are interested what appears to be an authoritative article that talks to the structure, strategy and operational tactics of the insurgency in the Deep South. It was written earlier this year, but still good background info.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NA12Ae01.html

[Moruya]

^{Hot on the heels of their success in visiously quelling a peaceful gathering of octogenarians, the Royal Thai Police have embarked on their next crackdown.}

^{I'm afraid the "restive" south will need to wait a bit more until the national crisis of banana friers has been quashed.}

[bigbamboo]

We have Buddhist neighbours on one side and Muslim neighbours on the other. My wife is ostensibly buddhist, my son even less so and I'm an atheist. We respect each other's views and all get on very well so why can't everyone else?

Religion isn't the be all and end all of the world.

Well not yet anyway.

[webfact]

VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTH

Army Commander meets with teachers in deep south

The Nation

File photo : Lt Gen Udomchai

PATTANI: -- Fourth Army Region Commander Lt Gen Udomchai Thammasaroj on Tuesday met with representatives of teachers' organisations in the south at Sirindhorn Army Camp in Pattani's Yarang district in a bid to solve the problems of the deep southern provinces.

The meeting followed a killing of a female school director of a Pattani school last Thursday. The teachers' associations met after the killings and decided to protest the government's failure to protect lives of educational personnel by temporarily closing down schools in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

Meanwhile Boonsom Thongsriprai, president of teachers' federation in the three deep southern provinces said his federation would submit demands, which would include inviting Lt Gen Udomchai and senior security officials to join a meeting of teacher leaders on December 4.

The meeting would discuss and review safety measures for teachers and students to find systematic ways to solve the problems.

Education Minister Pongthep Thepkarnchana is being called to meet representatives of teachers in three southern provinces and four districts of Songkhla on December 7.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 27

[catmac]

They managed to spare 90,000 BiBs for Pitak Siam but the south is not a PTP stronghold so they get ignored

Utter BS, as usual. The last Democrat government had equally as little impact on the insurgents.

Have you ever stopped for a moment to think that if it wasn't for that bufoon of an ex-general strutting about like a little dictator, maybe those 90,000 BIB could have been doing something more useful. Considering the old fool was claiming that up to 1 million were going to be there intent on overthrowing the government, the police numbers were not excessive.

[Grumbles]

They managed to spare 90,000 BiBs for Pitak Siam but the south is not a PTP stronghold so they get ignored

<deleted>! This has been going on for years. Not just since the PTP party has been in power. Logical statements please.

[Moruya]

They managed to spare 90,000 BiBs for Pitak Siam but the south is not a PTP stronghold so they get ignored

Utter BS, as usual. The last Democrat government had equally as little impact on the insurgents.

Have you ever stopped for a moment to think that if it wasn't for that bufoon of an ex-general strutting about like a little dictator, maybe those 90,000 BIB could have been doing something more useful. Considering the old fool was claiming that up to 1 million were going to be there intent on overthrowing the government, the police numbers were not excessive.

Please explain why the attacks have risen exponentially since the PTP have been in power?

Please explain why Chalerm said he would sort everything out in 6 months and nothing happened?

Please explain why the Tak Bai anniversary saw so many new attacks?

[Commander Tamson]

How can these so-called extremist/terrorist cells operate in isolation? They are of course known to and supported by the local Muslim community. When is everyone [the world over] going to take their heads out of the sand and start to realise that no matter how nice their Muslim neighbours appear to be - they believe in 'death to the Infidel' and you are on the list!!

[Pimay1]

How can these so-called extremist/terrorist cells operate in isolation? They are of course known to and supported by the local Muslim community. When is everyone [the world over] going to take their heads out of the sand and start to realise that no matter how nice their Muslim neighbours appear to be - they believe in 'death to the Infidel' and you are on the list!!

Excellent post and absolutely true. But this will not happen because we may offend someone. PC bullshit.

[Commander Tamson]

How can these so-called extremist/terrorist cells operate in isolation? They are of course known to and supported by the local Muslim community. When is everyone [the world over] going to take their heads out of the sand and start to realise that no matter how nice their Muslim neighbours appear to be - they believe in 'death to the Infidel' and you are on the list!!

Excellent post and absolutely true. But this will not happen because we may offend someone. PC bullshit.

thanks Pimay1 - seems to have been a showstopper though. We're probably on someone's death list now

[Pimay1]

How can these so-called extremist/terrorist cells operate in isolation? They are of course known to and supported by the local Muslim community. When is everyone [the world over] going to take their heads out of the sand and start to realise that no matter how nice their Muslim neighbours appear to be - they believe in 'death to the Infidel' and you are on the list!!

Excellent post and absolutely true. But this will not happen because we may offend someone. PC bullshit.

thanks Pimay1 - seems to have been a showstopper though. We're probably on someone's death list now

Yep you are probably correct now I am on two. The first is my ex-wife but that is ok because we share that one.

[Commander Tamson]

How can these so-called extremist/terrorist cells operate in isolation? They are of course known to and supported by the local Muslim community. When is everyone [the world over] going to take their heads out of the sand and start to realise that no matter how nice their Muslim neighbours appear to be - they believe in 'death to the Infidel' and you are on the list!!

Excellent post and absolutely true. But this will not happen because we may offend someone. PC bullshit.

thanks Pimay1 - seems to have been a showstopper though. We're probably on someone's death list now

Yep you are probably correct now I am on two. The first is my ex-wife but that is ok because we share that one.

I know the feeling well

[Scott]

Some off-topic and inflammatory posts as well as replies have been deleted.

Please stay on topic.

[bumpkin]

The only path to a resolution is for the governments of Thailand and Malaysia to agree a policy of resolution, then to adhere to it. This is a trans-national problem and will require an almost inconceivable degree of good will and mutual respect from both sides. A joint vision of the future is required. The path will never be easy and not without seriuos incidents. It will require the strongest of nerve from both countries.

Nationalist posturing is never the answer. There is no quick fix solution.

Many countries have difficulties with minorities or with cross-border movement of populations. These difficulties are not uniquely a 'Muslim' condition.

[sunshine51]

With the schools closing...perhaps soon in all the "troubled provinces"...this will

free up needed RTA troops to carry out more severe CT operations...instead

of simply escorting teachers & students to & fro schools. However...Lt Gen

Thammasaroj must ensure his charges get out in the field and do their jobs.

[sunshine51]

The only path to a resolution is for the governments of Thailand and Malaysia to agree a policy of resolution, then to adhere to it. This is a trans-national problem and will require an almost inconceivable degree of good will and mutual respect from both sides. A joint vision of the future is required. The path will never be easy and not without seriuos incidents. It will require the strongest of nerve from both countries.

Nationalist posturing is never the answer. There is no quick fix solution.

Many countries have difficulties with minorities or with cross-border movement of populations. These difficulties are not uniquely a 'Muslim' condition.

Well stated Bumpkin...quite some time ago I hacked out many pieces about the situation

in the troubled provinces...they may still be on older threads dealing with this nasty situation.

It will not be an easy or quick fix for the problem either. I know...I worked in said provinces.

Only an armed minority are causing the attacks and they're very slippery...especially since

the border is rather fluid.

[12DrinkMore]

If islam was a "peaceful religion" then every time there was unrest. murder and destruction with islamic adherents involved, then the big wigs in Mecca would surely fly out and "preach the word of peace and diplomacy".

The fact that they do not is a certain confirmation of implicit agreement that they agree to and condone such behaviour.

[notmyself]

If islam was a "peaceful religion" then every time there was unrest. murder and destruction with islamic adherents involved, then the big wigs in Mecca would surely fly out and "preach the word of peace and diplomacy".

The fact that they do not is a certain confirmation of implicit agreement that they agree to and condone such behaviour.

Silence means consent.

[Beng]

It's a shame, the education of a poorly educated nation suffers a further setback.

[unanimosity]

Terrorists win by intimidation, by forcing their victims to alter their behavior and lives out of fear. With that in mind, the terrorists did win a victory after 9/11, because Americans willingly gave up many of their freedoms in return for false security. These folks in the south of Thailand, by closing their schools, are saying to the terrorists there, "You win". It's too bad that the government hasn't called this what it is, war, and taken appropriate action. Terrorists aren't interested in negotiations. They're interested only in victory, and they'll lie and cheat and kill to get their way.

Well said, its time the Thai army sent a very very severe message to these muslim extremist's, who's country is it , drive them back over the border and finish it now before more decent human beings are cowardly killed by these people who are a problem all over the world, violence is all they know

scoop

Yet again a post by someone who fails to understand that the Deep South provinces are the homeland for the local "separatists/extremists" and has been for centuries.

So down south, people from a Malay muslim culture that are bombing and assassinating daily are separatists, but true Thai Buddhist folk discontent with being relegated to the bottom of the social and economic ladder for centuries in their own country are terrorists?

[Yahooka]

It's easy to jump to conclusions, especially when the word "Muslim" is involved.

You need to read up a bit on the history of the region to really understand their grievance.

Of course you CANNOT condone violence, and I'm not suggesting that it's ever justified to use violence against innocent civilians.

PERHAPS if the views of both sides were made clear in the media rather than just focusing on calling them "insurgents" or "militants" there may be a path to peace and reconciliation.

Comparing anything going on in this region with the issues in other parts of the world just because there are Muslim people involved is just showing your ignorance.

I totally disagree.

They are Muslims.

Granted the violent ones are a small percent and most Muslims are not violent.

But, killing teachers and farmers is just NOT RIGHT.

They are insurgents.

They are militants.

That is the plain and simple sad truth of the matter.

I agree with Scoop.

If hey can't live peacefully where they are (and it's obvious that they can't) send them back !

Send them back ????? You don't have a clue what you are talking about do you!

They didn't come to Thailand... it was the border that moved. They just want to live where their families lived for generations before them.

.........and nobody said they cannot.But the most narrowminded and hateful of them have to accept the that infidels now lives there too and will do in the future as well.Most of the Muslims in the 3 provinces lives peacefully among muslims,but some fools will not !!!

Good riddance to them !!

[JeffreyWitty]

This is probably a bad move on the part of the educators - radical extremists *WANT* an uneducated populace! That makes it easier to recruit more members and control them.

Most folks know that even a basic education can spawn people to think independently and for themselves. (Wether they act that way is a whole nother separate cultural matter.)

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Army mulls teachers quarters on school premises for safety

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 28 – Lodgings can possibly be built in school compounds in Thailand’s southern provinces to accommodate teachers, another effort to protect them from attacks by insurgents, according to an army officer.

Col Wintai Suvaree, deputy army spokesman, said the military has regularly provided security for teachers, but it is impossible to keep them totally safe. He described teachers as the third primary target of attack after soldiers and police.

The news spreads quickly when a teacher is attacked and killed, and public morale is shaken when a teacher is attacked, he said.

Col Wintai was referring to last Friday’s murder of a school principal in the southern province of Pattani, after which 332 state-run schools in the province were closed as teachers refused to teach, venting their frustration at the government’s failure to provide safety for them.

The spokesman said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to improve security for southern teachers.

Ms Yingluck is ISOC director and Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha is the security agency’s deputy director. Gen Prayuth has ordered Fourth Region Army Commander Lt-Gen Udomchai Thammasarorat to meet with southern teachers to find an agreed way forward.

Col Wintai said school premises could be adapted to shelter teachers until the situation improves. He did not elaborate on the feasibility of the proposed measure. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-28

[Fozfromoz]

I would suggest that it will be possible to keep them totally safe, once they rid the area of these murderers. That's what seems not to progress.

Speaking of the word murder, why can't the Update Post above use that word, which is appropriate, rather than " attacked and killed"?

[technologybytes]

If islam was a "peaceful religion" then every time there was unrest. murder and destruction with islamic adherents involved, then the big wigs in Mecca would surely fly out and "preach the word of peace and diplomacy".

The fact that they do not is a certain confirmation of implicit agreement that they agree to and condone such behaviour.

Hmmm... like every time bomb went off in Northern Ireland the Pope would make a visit and denounce terrorism... no actually.

[webfact]

VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTH

Schools to re-open Monday after more security put in place

The Nation

PATTANI: -- Schools in the southern provinces, closed last week in protest at the government's mishandling of the violence in the region, will likely to be able to re-open next Monday, Pattani Governor Pramuk Lamul said on Tuesday.

The governor expected that all the problems would be solved as the security authorities concerned had already tightened and reviewed their security plans, therefore the schools could resume service on December 3.

Hundreds of schools in three deep southern provinces; Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani were closed down last week in protest at the government's failure to prevent daily violence in their areas. The final straw was the killing of a female school director, Nantana Kaewjan, who was gunned down last Thursday - a mere 100 metres from her school in Pattani’s Nong Chik district.

Pramuk added that the review of security plans will see a change in safety provisions for teachers and students. Previously, combined forces would check the route and guard the teachers and students only in the morning as they made their way from home to schools and in the afternoon from schools to their houses.

"From now on, the forces will inspect the route and areas throughout the day to ensure security and safety for them," the governor said.

He added some 50 core leaders and representatives of teachers' organisations in the south would go to Bangkok on Friday to meet the education minister to jointly discuss plans to solve the violence in the region as well as measures to restore morale and confidence among the educational personnel.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 28