Organisation Of Islamic Cooperation Ignored Thai Govt Efforts: Ministry

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SOUTH VIOLENCE

OIC ignored govt efforts: ministry

The Nation

Islamic agency's resolution raises concerns about 'meagre progress'

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry yesterday expressed its disappointment over the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolution on the situation in the restive South, which said Thailand had made no progress on peace restoration.

The OIC resolution, issued after its foreign ministers' meeting from November 15-17 in Djibouti, did not reflect the efforts made by the government over the past years, said Vice Foreign Minister Jullapong Nonsrichai, who headed Thai delegation at the meeting.

The resolution for the Muslim minority in a non-Muslim country raised its concern over "meagre progress" achieved by the Thai government since issuance of a joint statement with the organisation in 2007.

The OIC, in the resolution, also regretted the continued use of the emergency law in most southern areas and the limited progress in introducing the language of the local population (Malayu) as a language of instruction in the schools of the South.

The resolution noted the continued extensive military presence of armed forces throughout the southern border provinces and its negative impact on the population's normal life. It expressed concern at the mounting reliance on undisciplined paramilitary militias accused of committing illegal acts, and warned of its consequences on increasing ethnic and religious polarisation.

The OIC called on the government to work vigorously to reach a just and permanent solution to the problem, in accordance with the 2007 Joint Press Communique. It wanted the authority to hold a dialogue with the leaders of Muslims to reach a solution allowing the realisation of the legitimate rights of Muslims in the deep South.

Jullapong, who joined the meeting on behalf of Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul, said he had spent a lot of time meeting with key persons of the organisation, including OIC secretary-general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, to explain the government's plan and effort to bring peace and development in the predominantly Muslim region. However, the resolution after the meeting did not reflect what he had explained and the development of the situation on the ground, Jullapong said.

Violence in the deep South has killed some 5,000 people since the beginning of 2004, but the government was still struggling to contain it. Insurgents have launched indiscriminate attacks on all, including soft targets such as public schools and teachers.

Nopporn Makkongkaew, the director of Education Zone 1 in Pattani, said the blaze at the Bang Maruad 1 School in Bang Maruad village in Pattani's Panare district, would severely affect the morale of teachers in the Southern province.

Nopporn said the fire severely damaged a school building and many school equipment were damaged.

He said police had yet to establish the cause of the fire, whether it was an accident or an arson attack.

The blaze broke out early yesterday, completely destroying a two-storeyed building housing the director's office, computer rooms and 11 classrooms.

Ten students and teachers were camping in the building opposite when fire broke out at around 1am at Bangmaruet School in Panare district but no one was injured.

Police did not rule out the possibility that the blaze was caused by an electrical fault, as it reportedly started in a computer room on the second floor and there was no sign of a forced break-in.

Initial investigation showed that 20 computers, 10 notebooks and 50 new laptops as well as chairs and tables kept in the building were totally destroyed.

The Education Zone 1 is in charge of 140 schools in four districts of Nongchik, Panare, Yaring and Muang. He said the schools were in dangerous areas and could be attacked by insurgents.

Noppoarn said all sides were trying hard to rebuild teachers' confidence so that schools in Pattani could be reopened as soon as possible.

"All sides will evaluate the situation and will assess security measures to try to protect teachers with all efforts. The measure will respond to the landscape in each village," Nopporn said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she has dispatched Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanit to the deep South to evaluate the situation after 300 schools in Pattani were closed following a series of attacks on teachers.

"I have to wait for more information from Sermsak first," Yingluck said, declining to further comment on the issue.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 30

[jerrysteve]

Nothing New Here

[Arkady]

Perhaps the OIC actually went to the South to see for themselves, rather than just politely listen to self serving remarks from a MoFA official who has probably never been there himself. Thailand's approach in the South seems to have been lifted from the manual of the French colonial government in Algeria - send in the paras.

[AyG]

Why is the OIC wasting its time whinging about the Thai government, rather than acting to reign in the terrorist tactics of the fanatical branch of its co-religionists?

[Pimay1]

"I have to wait for more information from Sermsak first," Yingluck said, declining to further comment on the issue.

I see nothing, I hear nothing, I know nothing.

[Thai at Heart]

All that effort and and apparently no result.

[unanimosity]

Why is the OIC wasting its time whinging about the Thai government, rather than acting to reign in the terrorist tactics of the fanatical branch of its co-religionists?

Wouldn;t expect the left hand to cut off the right now would you?

[AyG]

Why is the OIC wasting its time whinging about the Thai government, rather than acting to reign in the terrorist tactics of the fanatical branch of its co-religionists?

Wouldn;t expect the left hand to cut off the right now would you?

Actually, I thought that cutting off hands was something that Moslems were rather keen on.

Edited November 30, 2012 by AyG

[khunken]

Why is the OIC wasting its time whinging about the Thai government, rather than acting to reign in the terrorist tactics of the fanatical branch of its co-religionists?

Maybe they would act when they see some action from the Thai government to bring those (military & police) who carried out Tak Bai & Kru Be massacres (among other rights abuses) to justice.

[Xangsamhua]

The government's record in the South, especially since the Thaksin era, has been abysmal, but I suspect the OIC is one of those bodies who would never be satisfied anyway unless you subscribe completely to their agenda.

Of course, the Southern situation may be unresolvable. People down there haven't forgotten the old Sultanate of Pattani and its suppression by the Siamese in the late 18th century. The Pattani Malays want independence and Bangkok won't give it to them. Even some meaningful degree of autonomy seems to be unacceptable to the Thai government. Protracted conflict is bound to be the result.

[AyG]

Why is the OIC wasting its time whinging about the Thai government, rather than acting to reign in the terrorist tactics of the fanatical branch of its co-religionists?

Maybe they would act when they see some action from the Thai government to bring those (military & police) who carried out Tak Bai & Kru Be massacres (among other rights abuses) to justice.

The insurgent/terrorist acts long predate the (admitted) atrocities. Perhaps those awful events wouldn't have even occurred had the Islamic mainstream stood up again the lunatic Islamic fringe so intent on blowing up policemen, shooting teachers and beheading rubber plantations workers (both Moslem and Buddhist).

[Xangsamhua]

Why is the OIC wasting its time whinging about the Thai government, rather than acting to reign in the terrorist tactics of the fanatical branch of its co-religionists?

Maybe they would act when they see some action from the Thai government to bring those (military & police) who carried out Tak Bai & Kru Be massacres (among other rights abuses) to justice.

The insurgent/terrorist acts long predate the (admitted) atrocities. Perhaps those awful events wouldn't have even occurred had the Islamic mainstream stood up again the lunatic Islamic fringe so intent on blowing up policemen, shooting teachers and beheading rubber plantations workers (both Moslem and Buddhist).

Good point. I wonder if the inflow of Saudi Wahhabi funding in more recent times has boosted violent extremism.

[AyG]

People down there haven't forgotten the old Sultanate of Pattani and its suppression by the Siamese in the late 18th century.

Actually, the southern states weren't suppressed. They had virtually total autonomy. They did, however, have to pay annual tribute to Ayutthaya. If memory serves me right, the tribute was along the lines of a single gold/silver tree model. The states were far too far away from Ayutthaya to be subject to direct rule or even significant influence.

[Xangsamhua]

People down there haven't forgotten the old Sultanate of Pattani and its suppression by the Siamese in the late 18th century.

Actually, the southern states weren't suppressed. They had virtually total autonomy. They did, however, have to pay annual tribute to Ayutthaya. If memory serves me right, the tribute was along the lines of a single gold/silver tree model. The states were far too far away from Ayutthaya to be subject to direct rule or even significant influence.

Fair enough. I'm influenced by having read Ibrahim Syukri's (a pseudonym) History of the Malay Kingdom of Patani a few years ago. See http://www.silkwormbooks.com/each_titles/e_thailand/patani.htm

The resentment still seems to rankle, and even relatively benign colonial powers are resented by the colonized. Still, you probably know much more than I do.

Edited November 30, 2012 by Xangsamhua

[bigbamboo]

All that effort and and apparently no result.

A bit like Yingluck's Thailand confidence building promotional tours.

[khunken]

Why is the OIC wasting its time whinging about the Thai government, rather than acting to reign in the terrorist tactics of the fanatical branch of its co-religionists?

Maybe they would act when they see some action from the Thai government to bring those (military & police) who carried out Tak Bai & Kru Be massacres (among other rights abuses) to justice.

The insurgent/terrorist acts long predate the (admitted) atrocities. Perhaps those awful events wouldn't have even occurred had the Islamic mainstream stood up again the lunatic Islamic fringe so intent on blowing up policemen, shooting teachers and beheading rubber plantations workers (both Moslem and Buddhist).

Most of the so-called terrorist acts have been committed ever since Thaksin interfered with the police-local head-military administration around 2001. The mainstream population have never (since the early 1900s) been given any real say in education, local rule, infrastructure, fisheries, etc. It is not surprising that they probably have more sympathy with the various anti-government groups than the Bangkok government. Even Pattaya has more power than the southern provinces.

I don't support activity targeting teachers (police - that's another matter) but the point is that both sides have a less than stellar record in the south. Too many jump on the Islamiphobic bandwaggon.

[simple1]

Why is the OIC wasting its time whinging about the Thai government, rather than acting to reign in the terrorist tactics of the fanatical branch of its co-religionists?

Take a look at the OIC ten year action plan that in part states "combating extremism, violence and terrorism" & "Condemn extremism in all its forms and manifestations, as it contradicts Islamic and human values". refer http://www.oic-oci.org/page_detail.asp?p_id=228

[Fozfromoz]

Why is the OIC wasting its time whinging about the Thai government, rather than acting to reign in the terrorist tactics of the fanatical branch of its co-religionists?

Agreed. It's thrown lots of rocks at the Thai Government, but doesn't seem to mention that to "progress" takes 2 sides. Nothing said about the mobs that only show themselves to kill, not to "progress"

For those that talk about it being a cultural issue and not a religious one, why do they have this OIC to check and report?

[Tanaka]

It is not possible to negotiate with muslim fundamentalists. That is a mistake many people and organisations have already made. Too late.

[Thai at Heart]

Why is the OIC wasting its time whinging about the Thai government, rather than acting to reign in the terrorist tactics of the fanatical branch of its co-religionists?

Maybe they would act when they see some action from the Thai government to bring those (military & police) who carried out Tak Bai & Kru Be massacres (among other rights abuses) to justice.

The insurgent/terrorist acts long predate the (admitted) atrocities. Perhaps those awful events wouldn't have even occurred had the Islamic mainstream stood up again the lunatic Islamic fringe so intent on blowing up policemen, shooting teachers and beheading rubber plantations workers (both Moslem and Buddhist).

Most of the so-called terrorist acts have been committed ever since Thaksin interfered with the police-local head-military administration around 2001. The mainstream population have never (since the early 1900s) been given any real say in education, local rule, infrastructure, fisheries, etc. It is not surprising that they probably have more sympathy with the various anti-government groups than the Bangkok government. Even Pattaya has more power than the southern provinces.

I don't support activity targeting teachers (police - that's another matter) but the point is that both sides have a less than stellar record in the south. Too many jump on the Islamiphobic bandwaggon.

No, no, no, the problems have been around long before thaksin, but to get a political voice, the south allied with the democrats.

It was always bubbling under, but thaksin lit a flame when he basically declared, if you don't vote for me you get nothing.

But why should the south get more than the north or the north east? Just to keep it quiet?

[johnnywishbone]

Is there ever any good or pleasant news from the Muslim community?

Anywhere on earth?

I think not!

[fasteddie]

Is there ever any good or pleasant news from the Muslim community?

Anywhere on earth?

I think not!

I've worked and holidayed in many Muslim countries and have had many Muslim friends who are just like anyone else, except they won't eat pork.

It's just a ruthless and insane minority that lob bombs about.

[Tanaka]

That is a big minority then and in many countries.

[fasteddie]

That is a big minority then and in many countries.

No it isn't.

[Tanaka]

That is a big minority then and in many countries.

No it isn't.

Please elaborate. Is it not a minority or not big or not in many countries or how will you describe the muslims goal of global supremacy? Because that what it is according to their own mullahs and leaders.

[simple1]

That is a big minority then and in many countries.

No it isn't.

Please elaborate. Is it not a minority or not big or not in many countries or how will you describe the muslims goal of global supremacy? Because that what it is according to their own mullahs and leaders.

The the dream of a global caliphate is held by some Muslims, Al-Qaeda is a good example. It is not going to achieve realisation as it will require political collaboration amongst the leaders of the Islamic nations. There have been a few attempts in the 20th century for consolidation in the Islamic countries, but all have utterly failed due to clashes over political power structures. Then take into account the schism between Shiite and Sunni for the past 1,300 years that has never been resolved and you have your answer, will never get any momentum in reality. So long as western powers do not make strategic misjudgements, the moderates will eventually get into power, whether that takes 10 years or fifty years who knows.

Edited December 3, 2012 by simple1