B R N Adopts Youtube To Get Its Way At Peace Talks: Thai South Crisis

[webfact]

SOUTH CRISIS
BRN adopts YouTube to get its way at peace talks
Pakorn Puengnetr
The Nation



The Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani (BRN)'s extensive use of social media networks appears to have put it one step ahead of the government.

PATTANI: -- The southern separatist movement BRN - or the Patani liberation movement, as the militants want to be known - dropped a bombshell on April 26 by publicly issuing five demands on YouTube two days before peace talks were held with the Thai delegation, led by National Security Council secretary-general Pol Lieutenant Paradorn Pattanathabutr.

The BRN, led by Hassan Talib, released its latest YouTube clip on May 28. It featured Abdulkarim Khalid accusing the Thai government of using violence against southern people, citing a brutal massacre of locals including religious leaders, teachers, village heads and local leaders after the BRN issued their five demands.

Hassan Talib followed Khalid in the clip, vowing to push for their five demands to be realised during the June 13th peace talks.

Dr Panithan Wattanayakorn, an academic on security at Chulalongkorn University, believed the BRN's use of social media is a proactive strategy aimed at drawing attention and support from people across Thailand and the world, and not only people from the southern border provinces. The BRN wants to make sure the Thai delegations follow their own agenda during the peace talks. "They want to outwit and gain advantage over their counterparts," he said.

Disseminating video clips through social networks is also how the BRN deals with its own internal conflicts as some groups reportedly disapprove of the peace negotiations. "Having five demands propagated through YouTube demonstrates their solidarity and gives Hassan's group more weight," he said.

Panithan said the Thai delegations must insist that the BRN's demands issued through YouTube are not the topics discussed at the negotiating table. The BRN must follow the negotiation procedures as agreed earlier.

Panithan warned against discussing the BRN demands as that would result in the group gaining advantages and creating conflict among Thais. "Thailand should reduce the level of the talks. Instead of sending a big group of delegates, we should send a smaller group to negotiate with them in order to pressure them to talk within the negotiation frame," he said.

Pol Captain Jomdej Trimek, a criminologist at Rangsit University, said the BRN's use of online social networks as part of psychological warfare is common as the group has been trying to distort the truth, discredit the Thai government and communicate among themselves.

"The question is why the government has overlooked the social networks but has been using only the mainstream media, even though use of social networks does not cost a lot but provides an effective way to campaign against violence and reach a large number of people," he said.

Wanwichit Bunprong believed the BRN wanted to use social media to popularise the group and to follow in the footsteps and the success of the Arab Spring - the wave of nonviolent and violent demonstrations in the Arab world.

"It took only two years for the Arab Spring to gather momentum with millions of supporters, which brought about political change in the Arab world. The BRN clips may be viewed by a small group of people in the beginning, but we have to watch their development," he said.

"The government has the money and human resources, such as religious mainstream leaders and local leaders, but it is surprising that the government is not ready to take on the BRN in cyber warfare," Wanwichit said.


-- The Nation 2013-06-10

[bigbamboo]

At least everybody knows the BRNs position, now it's the Thai government's turn.

Perhaps they should have saved a lot of time and a small fortune by having the Preah Vihear case on You Tube. The ICJ could have watched the two videos presented and voted on the internet.

[chainarong]

Showmanship is one thing , killing people is another , scum on Youtube , Youtube should be told and these people stopped. The only interest in the terrorist scum should be a total return to normality for the citizens of the Southern boarder regions and be allowed to live their lives in harmony with all religions.

Edited June 10, 2013 by chainarong

[MikeOboe57]

How to counter:

1. Take the audio of the statements, cut out the boring parts to make it short and crispy.

2. Take some funny and cheerful Malayan music as background (avoid copyright issues!)

3. Combine it with videos of the aftermaths of the islamist terrorists' attacks.

And it flies right back into their stupid faces.

[seajae]

still think the thai govt should just issue shoot on site commands to all troops and policemen, these pieces of crap terrorists dont deserve a say, just shoot them all, trying to forcefully take over another country/area and have everyone live under their demands, what a load, bullets to the head will solve all Thailands problems with them.

[simple1]

Rather than repetitive posts equivalent to kill, kill, kill. Perhaps it is a lot more constructive, if I may, to post a copy of a post by Sunshine51 who has been an on the ground journalist in the deep South for many years, covered conflicts in SE Asia for many years as well as an ex US military combat veteran in Vietnam. All in all, I suggest more qualfied to comment on the deep South than most members of TV.

"If it was just BRN calling the shots down there then the government has only one group to deal with making matters somewhat easier. However BRN is not the only faction involved; there are many and if one includes the criminal element such as smugglers, triads (organised crime) and the cross border support amongst all the rest, to include the profit making opportunities by LOS & Mal politico's plus all the others I declined to mention...then this whole sordid affair will never end. Giving "The South" autonomy, in my opinion will only exacerbate the current problem because, as I see it...with only a couple decades of current armed conflict why not press for more territory?

The last coming from a terrorist POV and the terrorists are mainly Muslim fanatics who would rather have the entire planet devolve into their ways of thinking. As you know the majority of the Muslim population in these provinces are quite capable of living shoulder to shoulder with their non Muslim neighbours...all it has taken is for some "provocateurs" to enter the scene and mess things up for everybody...including Bangkok who is still attempting to deny and misinform the rest of the population matters are as bad as they are.

As for a "general peace" in the region? Everybody can dream can't they? But what constitutes a general peace? Is it less killings and maiming s in a particular district than before or less of the same over all provinces and districts? All it would take is for one disgruntled individual to kill someone and the "general peace" could easily be shattered. In my opinion the entire shebang will take a theatre-strategic way of thinking...meaning bringing the whole down into local perspective to solve problems as they arise. And quite frankly I believe that the government has no intention in even attempting this since vast sums of money are being made. I see it as akin to giving money to beggars that have both arms & both legs & both eyes & ears & brain working normally but are just too lazy to actually seek gainful employment...just perpetuating a species who otherwise would die off within a generation or two at the most.

The military has the resources to enable a start of the peace process, however I doubt that the military is backed by politicians who want to see this conflict end anytime soon. That's the rub. Peace is not impossible however the will to have peace may be highly improbable"

Edited June 10, 2013 by simple1

[bigbamboo]

still think the thai govt should just issue shoot on site commands to all troops and policemen, these pieces of crap terrorists dont deserve a say, just shoot them all, trying to forcefully take over another country/area and have everyone live under their demands, what a load, bullets to the head will solve all Thailands problems with them.

They tried that with the war on drugs but it didn't work then.

[Bagwan]

still think the thai govt should just issue shoot on site commands to all troops and policemen, these pieces of crap terrorists dont deserve a say, just shoot them all, trying to forcefully take over another country/area and have everyone live under their demands, what a load, bullets to the head will solve all Thailands problems with them.

They tried that with the war on drugs but it didn't work then.

Yea. Solve it the good old American way - with bullets. Some people don't seem to have absorbed some of the lessons arising from the Vietnam adventure.

Jaw jaw is better than war war. A quote from a guy who knew what he was talking about.

[rametindallas]

First, they need to lose those silly hats. Second, anyone claiming to represent the violent elements is himself a terrorist and should be treated as such. Third, there are methods, such as those used by the Philippine Islands with the help of the U.S. Green Beret, that have proven effective (the U.S. has come a long way since the Vietnam debacle with methods for winning hearts and minds of the locals). Fourth, the Thai government must remain resolute and NEVER give in to any terrorists' demands as that only encourages them. Fifth, when this generation of terrorists gets too old and the young don't see any cost/benefit value, the movement will die as did the Communist insurgency in NE Thailand in the '70s and '80s. Don't get too upset, it's just my opinion and the government never listens to Farang anyway.

[manarak]

First, they need to lose those silly hats. Second, anyone claiming to represent the violent elements is himself a terrorist and should be treated as such. Third, there are methods, such as those used by the Philippine Islands with the help of the U.S. Green Beret, that have proven effective (the U.S. has come a long way since the Vietnam debacle with methods for winning hearts and minds of the locals). Fourth, the Thai government must remain resolute and NEVER give in to any terrorists' demands as that only encourages them. Fifth, when this generation of terrorists gets too old and the young don't see any cost/benefit value, the movement will die as did the Communist insurgency in NE Thailand in the '70s and '80s. Don't get too upset, it's just my opinion and the government never listens to Farang anyway.

I read about these so-called "methods" of the US in the Philippines.

They involved making the insurgents look like total tossers - but that was only possible because the insurgents there really were total tossers.

And "successful" in the Philippines - that means all the religious violence in the recent years there is unrelated, i.e. muslims kidnapping people, shooting others, gruerillia warfare against government forces... A large part of the Philippines is not safe.

Successful is something else.

All this talk about youtube, but what ARE the five demands?

[simple1]

First, they need to lose those silly hats. Second, anyone claiming to represent the violent elements is himself a terrorist and should be treated as such. Third, there are methods, such as those used by the Philippine Islands with the help of the U.S. Green Beret, that have proven effective (the U.S. has come a long way since the Vietnam debacle with methods for winning hearts and minds of the locals). Fourth, the Thai government must remain resolute and NEVER give in to any terrorists' demands as that only encourages them. Fifth, when this generation of terrorists gets too old and the young don't see any cost/benefit value, the movement will die as did the Communist insurgency in NE Thailand in the '70s and '80s. Don't get too upset, it's just my opinion and the government never listens to Farang anyway.

Philippines has a special relationship with the US, Thailand doesn't & very unlikely the Thai government would ever invite foreign military forces to operate on Thai soil in combat operations. Also Philippine government has negotiated a "pathway to peace" and that includes autonomy. Right now autonomy is not on the agenda as it's contrary to the Thai constitution.

EDIT: Their has been some commentary in the media quoting government representatives that a part of the solution could be to devolve some central government responsibility to the provinces along the lines of Bangkok and Pattaya city mangement

Edited June 10, 2013 by simple1

[simple1]

First, they need to lose those silly hats. Second, anyone claiming to represent the violent elements is himself a terrorist and should be treated as such. Third, there are methods, such as those used by the Philippine Islands with the help of the U.S. Green Beret, that have proven effective (the U.S. has come a long way since the Vietnam debacle with methods for winning hearts and minds of the locals). Fourth, the Thai government must remain resolute and NEVER give in to any terrorists' demands as that only encourages them. Fifth, when this generation of terrorists gets too old and the young don't see any cost/benefit value, the movement will die as did the Communist insurgency in NE Thailand in the '70s and '80s. Don't get too upset, it's just my opinion and the government never listens to Farang anyway.

I read about these so-called "methods" of the US in the Philippines.

They involved making the insurgents look like total tossers - but that was only possible because the insurgents there really were total tossers.

And "successful" in the Philippines - that means all the religious violence in the recent years there is unrelated, i.e. muslims kidnapping people, shooting others, gruerillia warfare against government forces... A large part of the Philippines is not safe.

Successful is something else.

All this talk about youtube, but what ARE the five demands?

Their have been approx 150,000 deaths in the Philippines attributed to the insurgency over 30+ years, so I would not use the word tossers, but fairly effective killers. Pathway to peace nogotiations only finalised a year ago

The five conditions are as follows: First, the Thai government should accept the role of Malaysia’s government as a mediator of the talks. Second, the talk should be restricted for only Melayu Patani representatives led by the BRN and the Thai government.

Third, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), non-governmental organizations, and Asean members must be allowed to observe the peace talks. Fourth, release all prisoners and revoke all arrest warrants for suspects in national-security-related-suspects without condition.

Finally, BRN must be recognized as a "liberation movement", not a "separatist group".

[manarak]

Killers maybe, but still tossers - or how would you describe the Moros' strategy on Bud Bagsak?

Anyway these days are over and the Thai government cannot do the same as Pershing did.

Regarding the five points, haha, ridiculous.

[simple1]

Killers maybe, but still tossers - or how would you describe the Moros' strategy on Bud Bagsak?

Anyway these days are over and the Thai government cannot do the same as Pershing did.

Regarding the five points, haha, ridiculous.

Not sure what you're inferring regards Pershing. However from the URL below that seperates myth from reality: "history bears witness that it was Pershing's limited warfare and adept exercise of cunning and restraint that succeeded in quelling the martyr warrior spirit of the Moros"

http://www.rathcoombe.net/blogs/blackjack.html

[manarak]

Killers maybe, but still tossers - or how would you describe the Moros' strategy on Bud Bagsak?

Anyway these days are over and the Thai government cannot do the same as Pershing did.

Regarding the five points, haha, ridiculous.

Not sure what you're inferring regards Pershing. However from the URL below that seperates myth from reality: "history bears witness that it was Pershing's limited warfare and adept exercise of cunning and restraint that succeeded in quelling the martyr warrior spirit of the Moros"

http://www.rathcoombe.net/blogs/blackjack.html

exactly. the Moros went on rampage and regrouped large forces of warriors on a defensive position inside an extinct volcano.

Instead of assaulting the position as his predecessor Wood did, Pershing starved them out.

There were also strategies of winning some tribal chiefs over, but mostly the Moros were fools, and when they had the dishonor of surrendering because they ran out of food, it was over.

Today's islamists are fools too, but they won't be fooled by such simple tactics - also, they refuse to regroup which would make it easier to either massacre or starve them (=allegedly successful tactics in the Philippines).

And because these tactics were so successful in 1913, there are large areas of the Philippines which are unsafe due to inslamist separatist movements.

The same situation as in South Thailand, really.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_insurgency_in_the_Philippines

So instead of suggesting it would be easy for the Thai government to remove these rebels if they accepted the wise methods of their elders, the great United States.

Statements like these are abusive to the Thais.

The US' methods didn't work 100 years ago and they won't work now.

Pershing's feat, which was to disperse the Moros, was then mistaken for a success because that's what the military strategy of the time taught.

Reality is that the same region is today still not free of religious lunatics killing people.

Edited June 11, 2013 by manarak