EDITORIAL

The southern issue boils down to lack of trust

The Nation

Soldiers inspect the body of a suspected insurgent after a clash with Marines at a navy base in Narathiwat province, southern Thailand, on February 13.

BANGKOK: -- The Malay-Muslim insurgency in the deep South cannot be ended until both state and minority learn to respect each other's point of view

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The bombs over the weekend that killed two people and hurt 12 others in Pattani show that the conflict in Thailand's deep South is still far from a solution unless the authorities and all relevant parties decide to tackle the conflict fundamentally.

The incidents came after a gunfight last week that claimed the lives of 16 Malay-Muslim separatist insurgents in Narathiwat province. It was expected that that incident would lead to more violence from the insurgents.

The reaction of some local people in the deep South after the incident in Narathiwat shows the deep-rooted mistrust toward the central authorities. It is reported that large crowds of people attended the funerals of some of the dead militants last week. Those scenes are telling because they reveal the important and fundamental issue that has led to the prolonged conflict in the three southernmost provinces.

Some local residents feel mistrust toward the Thai state, and they apparently want to express their grievances. Unfortunately, some resort to violence when they feel that they are unfairly treated.

Over the past week, a series of incidents in the deep southern provinces has caught the nation's attention. The shootout, at a Marine camp in a remote village in Bacho district in the furthest southern province of Narathiwat, made national headlines.

Some policy-makers in Bangkok, trying to sound firm and reassuring in this time of crisis, expressed regret for the loss of lives. Such a gesture toward the Malay minority in the South is very rare indeed, and it should be welcomed. It is of course a sad predicament when Thai citizens take up arms against the authorities.

But from the reaction of residents, a solution will require more than just gestures of goodwill. It will require a sound policy, and the government must stay the course on whatever commitment it makes.

For the past nine years the government has been using a two-pronged strategy - military tactics to suppress the militants and development initiatives to win the hearts and minds of the locals. Neither approach has worked because they fail to touch on the historical mistrust and grievances toward the government by Malay people in the deep South.

There is no cause for celebration when 50 insurgents march into a Marine death trap, for it does not mark the end of the insurgency. In fact, there are more issues to be addressed over the incident, such as ambiguities over what actually took place.

A clear explanation of the cause of the incident would create understanding among the people. It's no use to stereotype people who were involved. In a conflict zone like the southern provinces, there are no absolute villains. Some are drawn into the insurgent movement because of misunderstanding or mistrust of the central authorities.

The problem, essentially, is about the mismanagement of state-minority relations. One should keep in mind that the Malays never really challenged Thai or Siamese legitimacy after the region came under Bangkok's direct rule in 1909. Armed insurrection did not happen until the 1960s. This is not to say it was all roses for the first half-century after the seven Malay sultans were removed from power. The question is how the two sides negotiated a comfort level and what went wrong in the management of that relationship that has led to the current round of insurgent violence.

Violence cannot be ended with violence. In fact, there are fears of future retaliation if the fundamental issues of the conflict are not fixed. The protracted problem needs to be addressed on the basis of creating understanding and trust on both sides to ensure peaceful co-existence.

-- The Nation 2013-02-19

The southern issue boils down to lack of trust

As much as I despise these acts of terror, I can understand their lack of trust with a "Puppet real PM" and sister, with the same last name as the man that ordered so many of their family members and neighbors murdered, not all that long ago.

The southern issue boils down to lack of trust

As much as I despise these acts of terror, I can understand their lack of trust with a "Puppet real PM" and sister, with the same last name as the man that ordered so many of their family members and neighbors murdered, not all that long ago.

Well stated. All to often we talk about the problems in the south and completly ignore the two elephants sitting in the room.

1 Islam

2 Thaksin

The Malay-Muslim insurgency in the deep South cannot be ended until both state and minority learn to respect each other's point of view

The point of view of Islam is that they are the only ones who have all the answers. It is OK to impose there way of belief on all weather they are interested or not. Most religions believe they are the one. Only Islam is the only one infiltering Governments and imposing there beliefs in the form of laws.

Thaksin was the great instigator here in the problems we face in the south today. The problem had always been there but it was for the most part a minor problem. Thaksin came along with his mega ego and started pouring gasoline on the fire.

The government tries to control the south rather than win them over with trust. In my opinion they had a great chance to gain the trust of the southern people when Yingluck went to the deep south. Repeated visit's would have gone a long way to helping the south believe in the Thai government. She could have publicly announced that her brother was wrong in his mistreatment of the Muslims.

But she instead choose to go with the we are here in Bangkok and know what is best so you listen to us.

She dosen't understand they are listening to her as much as she is listening to them.

Paint it however you like - this is the Islamic march that will continue to pollute society if it goes unchecked. Thailand has a lot to offer this movement. It is not a lack of understanding it is a continuing warlike march.

The fact that the buddhist religion appears benign and not a threat is all the more reason for the extremists to press on with their agenda as they are in countries around the world. This is not an isolated missunderstood group of people.

Any civilized society that is educated is a direct threat to them.