Decree Must Be Revoked, Southern Muslims Say

[Jai Dee]

Decree must be revoked, southern Muslims say

Security forces in the restive South have been accused of abusing the powers given to them by the emergency decree

PATTANI – An emergency decree to halt an Islamic insurgency in the deep South must be revoked because it allows gross abuses of power by security forces, including wrongful arrests, kidnapping and even murder, local Muslims say.

The government last month extended the controversial decree in the southernmost provinces for a further 90-days, saying it was necessary to protect the people from the violence – but Muslims here are far from convinced.

They say emergency rule has created a climate of fear and distrust, and many believe the immunity given to security forces has led to Muslims being tortured, beaten and even killed.

“The government said this would lead to peace, but it’s had the opposite effect,” said a deputy village headman in Pattani, one of the three southern provinces plagued by two years of separatist unrest. He asked not to be identified.

“They have too much power. Police here can shoot unarmed people and they’re protected by the law.”

The decree – invoked in July last year – gave security forces sweeping powers, including arrests without warrant and detention for 30 days without charge, while denying citizens the legal recourse offered under the Constitution.

Critics say the decree has created a culture of impunity, while others have dismissed it as a “license to kill.”

Rubber tapper Maseng Malee recalled the time when more than 300 police and soldiers dragged him out of his house and took him to a military detention center, where they interrogated him for 28 consecutive days.

“They arrested me because my name was on a blacklist. They gave no reason why, they just took me away,” said Maseng, an ethnic-Malay Muslim, who was arrested along with 11 others, among them an elderly imam.

The day before, Maseng’s friend was shot dead by suspected insurgents, one of 1,200 people killed in the region since January 2004.

Maseng was a suspect, but the authorities had no evidence to link him to the killing.

“This is not right. It has to be stopped,” he said in Malay, the language spoken by four in every five people in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces, which were part of an independent sultanate annexed by Thailand a century ago.

“They kept me in solitary confinement. I was never charged. I wasn’t even allowed to see a lawyer.”

Although these claims cannot be verified, many here believe them to be true, especially since the 2003 war on drugs, where police were accused of carrying out hundreds of extrajudicial killings, many in the far South.

Locals Muslims say the arbitrary arrests of imams, religious teachers and students from traditional Islamic schools have caused widespread anger and resentment – and the wounds may never be healed.

“They must stop the emergency decree now because it has caused too much harm,” said Abdul Karim Naknawa, the head of Pondok Dalor, one of Southeast Asia’s oldest Islamic schools.

“In police custody, people are beaten. They cannot come here and arrest our students and teachers without evidence,” he said, looking out onto a field of thatched-roofed classrooms surrounded by Pattani’s sprawling jungles.

Abdul Karim told the story of a teacher arrested last year on suspicion of storing guns for insurgents, although no weapons were found at his school. He claimed police electrocuted him under interrogation before tying him to a chair, kicking him in the face then beating him unconscious.

“Because of emergency laws, we cannot fight back,” said Abdul Karim. “There is no way for us to complain or appeal against this.”

Meanwhile, with some 500 “key militant operatives” in detention, bureaucrats in Bangkok insist the decree is working, attributing its success to good cooperation from local people.

But with the use of secret blacklists and hundreds of seemingly random arrests, many cast doubt on the government’s claim.

“The people don’t trust the police and the police don’t trust us,” said one villager. “This will only push people towards insurgent groups. If the police had followed the rules, this decree could have worked.”

Source: ThaiDay - 16 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

ACM Kongsak affirmed that he will not adjust the security measures

The Interior Minister, Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wanthana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา), has affirmed that he will not adjust the security measures for teachers and students in the Deep South, while expressing his confidence on these measures.

In response to the yesterday’s report about the explosion incident in Joh Ai Rong (เจาะไอร้อง) District of Narathiwat (นราธิวาส) Province, ACM Kongsak has discussed the matter with the provincial governor who insisted that security-related units have already prepared to protect teachers and students in the restive area during the opening of the new semester period.

He added that the measures are suitable for the current situation, and therefore, it is unnecessary to adjust them.

He and Acting Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) are scheduled to visit the restive south this Saturday, to follow up on the situations and to regain the local people’s confidence.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 May 2006

[astral]

Then how do the Southern Muslims suggest that the situation can be resolved without draconian measures?????????

[Scott]

Is the situation in the South getting better, worse or is it about the same--I can't really tell anymore?

[Losangels]

The situation in the South will improve whenever the current administration leaves the office.

So far all the solutions to solve the problems have been failures.

[jdinasia]

Then how do the Southern Muslims suggest that the situation can be resolved without draconian measures?????????

Not the job of the innocent citizens to come up with an answer! Obviously what is being done is NOT working though!

Probably should flesh that out a bit. Addressing the issues affecting the South is the Govt's job ... sadly we don't have much of one now. HM has given some guidance on this issue that has largely been ignored. Winning the hearts and minds of the ethnic Malays in the deep South will take some work! Maybe if TRT had treated THEM like they treat the other rural areas ... this wouldn't be as much of an issue ... sadly the South saw give away programs in other areas in the country and nothing given to them

Edited May 17, 2006 by jdinasia

[Jai Dee]

Acting PM indicated that house found storing weapons belonging to insurgents can reduce violence in the Deep South

Acting Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) indicated that the a storehouse keeping weapons belong to insurgents have been discovered and can lead to other trails of the insurgents' networks.

Speaking about the authorities’ seizure weapons in the restive South, he said that authorities have been assigned to eradicate violence in the area by using proactive measures to lessen the degree of violence.

As for news alleging violence that may spur up again especially when school resume, Gen Chitchai said he is not too worried as authorities have been assigned to tighten security in the villages in the Deep South.

In addition, Gen Chitchai said a number of insurgents have been arrested due to the implementation of Emergency Decree.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 May 2006

[elkangorito]

Then how do the Southern Muslims suggest that the situation can be resolved without draconian measures?????????

Not the job of the innocent citizens to come up with an answer! Obviously what is being done is NOT working though!

Probably should flesh that out a bit. Addressing the issues affecting the South is the Govt's job ... sadly we don't have much of one now. HM has given some guidance on this issue that has largely been ignored. Winning the hearts and minds of the ethnic Malays in the deep South will take some work! Maybe if TRT had treated THEM like they treat the other rural areas ... this wouldn't be as much of an issue ... sadly the South saw give away programs in other areas in the country and nothing given to them

I fully agree JD.

It's almost as if Toxin, the war monger responsible for installing this vile decree, was following similar ideals to that of the ultimate war monger...Bush, the worlds biggest terrorist.

Love can't be taught by showing hatred. Respect can't be demanded...it must be earnt.

I recall reading the newspapers about this disgusting 'decree' & there were a lot against it. But dictator Toxin refused to acknowledge the objections. This has been nothing but a 'Toxin Inquisition'. Obviously, the vile decree will be a 'toxic' legacy to this otherwise great country.

[OlRedEyes]

I used to go to great lengths to try and understand, and defend where I could, some of the grievances of the Muslims, here and elsewhere in the world.

Unfortunately, the Muslims themselves everywhere has not done much to justify the empathy I and many people felt for their cause. The actions of the so-called 'fundamentalists', and more importantly, the failure of 'mainstream' Muslims to take these fundamentalists to task has lost most of that empathy, to the point where I have to swing to the other side. I believe this is true for the majority of non-Muslims around the world. Most goodwill is being lost, or has already been lost.

It is time for moderate Muslims, if the majority, to show that they want to put their own house in order first, else they will find very little sympathy anywhere....

A great pity, cause it moves us all closer to destruction.

[Jai Dee]

Assault weaponry and explosives seized in southern provinces

The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister, Pol. Gen. Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์), stated that the interception of assault weaponry and explosives was a major breakthrough in preventing unrest in the southern provinces.

Pol. Gen. Chitchai stated that the success of authorities in checking and seizing weaponry and explosives was considered a good offensive strategy, and will definitely aid in maintaining the peace in the southern provinces. He has ordered authorities in the area to keep security tight as rumors of insurgent activities are abound.

The Justice Minister added that using the emergency administration decree greatly aided in the work of authorities.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 May 2006

[jdinasia]

I used to go to great lengths to try and understand, and defend where I could, some of the grievances of the Muslims, here and elsewhere in the world.

Unfortunately, the Muslims themselves everywhere has not done much to justify the empathy I and many people felt for their cause. The actions of the so-called 'fundamentalists', and more importantly, the failure of 'mainstream' Muslims to take these fundamentalists to task has lost most of that empathy, to the point where I have to swing to the other side. I believe this is true for the majority of non-Muslims around the world. Most goodwill is being lost, or has already been lost.

It is time for moderate Muslims, if the majority, to show that they want to put their own house in order first, else they will find very little sympathy anywhere....

A great pity, cause it moves us all closer to destruction.

OlRedEyes ... this is less a Muslim thing than an Ethnic Malay thing. Take a look at the boundary maps for thailand not that long ago ....and look at the ethnic base of the majority of the population.... then look at what the central government here does or does not do for those citizens ...

Sadly reality has not REALLY set in on anyone's part in this struggle ... Thailand is not going to cede that land to other interests <be it a seperatist state .. or to Malaysia. Thailand also <at the central government level; fails to deal with the base issues of their own citizens because they are different.

[dave111223]

I guess sometimes you gotta fight fire with fire.

[Diablo Bob]

It's almost as if Toxin, the war monger responsible for installing this vile decree, was following similar ideals to that of the ultimate war monger...Bush, the worlds biggest terrorist.

Burnt a few brain cells with this original thought and observation.

Really, are you so naive as to think that things will change once Bush leaves office? It will just be the same old SH_t different day.

Learn to live with it.........................

[lungbing]

Everything the Muslims whine about in the south could equally be said about Isaan.

It is a very poor area, Thai as a language and culture is imposed on the people who have their own culture and would speak their own language for preference and there is so little work that you have to buy any job that comes up, and it's a hefty payment too for a government job.

But the difference is that Isaan people do not plant bombs, they do not capture and torture soldiers while bravely sending women and children out to hold off the police. They do not organise mass co-ordinated attacks on police stations, and then have the bloody nerve to complain when some of the attackers are killed. And don't forget that some policemen were killed that day too. Muslims seem to forget that. Nor do Isaan people shoot teachers nor do they behead Buddhist monks or poor farmers, or shoot temple boys.

In common with a writer above I have tried to have sympathy for the southerners but they do their own cause no good. And I use as an example the wife of the missing lawyer, (I am sorry I forget his and her name) who is in a unique position to speak up for good, as she is being listened to. But although she is quite right in persisting in trying to find out what happened to her husband, and I admire her for that, just a gentle word condemning the worst Muslim violence would do her cause the world of good, but of course there's nothing forthcoming. She's not a human rights campaigner, but a Muslim rights campaigner. All of us outside the Muslim world (they have a word for that) are of no regard to them and to them we can be beheaded or tortured, or blown to bits with impunity. I no longer believe there is such a thing as a moderate Muslim.

The answer? No idea. Perhaps if they want to be Malays, let them. But the border stays unchanged and as Malays they'll now need visas, etc to live in Thailand. No country will willingly give up land to another country. If the Muslims want the borders set back to what they were more than 100 years ago ( and how many countries have appeared and disappeared in the last 100 years?). then let's see how Cambodia and Laos feel about giving back their former Thai provinces. And of course 100 years ago Malaya (as then was) was administered by the UK.

You cannot blame only Taxin's people, the Democrats were in charge for many years and they didn't solve the problems either.

I accept that the vast majority of Muslims are not terrorists, but the vast majority of terrorists seem to be Muslims. And while we in sympathy welcome them into our own farang countries perhaps we are only setting up a problem for our grandchildren.

[britmaveric]

It's almost as if Toxin, the war monger responsible for installing this vile decree, was following similar ideals to that of the ultimate war monger...Bush, the worlds biggest terrorist.

Burnt a few brain cells with this original thought and observation.

Really, are you so naive as to think that things will change once Bush leaves office? It will just be the same old SH_t different day.

Learn to live with it.........................

I agree.

The likelihood of this decree being recinded is remote.

[jdinasia]

I accept that the vast majority of Muslims are not terrorists, but the vast majority of terrorists seem to be Muslims. And while we in sympathy welcome them into our own farang countries perhaps we are only setting up a problem for our grandchildren.

Ugh

Please the situation in the South of Thailand is awful ... but again it isn't about Islam. The fact that the people are Muslim is secondary.

Comparing the South to Isaan is exceedingly weak. ((language/ethnicity/history))

She's not a human rights campaigner, but a Muslim rights campaigner. All of us outside the Muslim world (they have a word for that) are of no regard to them and to them we can be beheaded or tortured, or blown to bits with impunity. I no longer believe there is such a thing as a moderate Muslim.

This second quote kinda belies the first quote doesn't it?

You are seeing a complex issue as as just being about religion ... and showing your ignorance about the eople that practice that religion ....

The woman that is looking for her missing husband .... is just that .... not a human rights campaigner ... though her case is certainly one of basic human rights. and not a religious issue ...

It really is sad to see otherwise rational people jump out against a cause they have apparently not thought out.

[Jai Dee]

Please the situation in the South of Thailand is awful ... but again it isn't about Islam. The fact that the people are Muslim is secondary.

You are correct jdinasia... and it's not about wanting to rejoin Malaysia either... however I'm surprised that nobody to date has mentioned the drug trade that goes on in the South.

[Jai Dee]

Anxiety rises with the death toll

Although Songkhla is not covered by the emergency decree, a large security presence remains in place.

SABA YOI, SONGKHLA – People in Songkhla are a little more uneasy these days.

A year ago, no one here thought twice about going out to tap rubber, have a drink in a tea shop or take a short motorcycle ride to morning market.

But with an Islamic insurgency raging nearby, people in Songkhla are more wary. A pattern of unexplained killings in parts of this largely Buddhist province is beginning to emerge, with an increase in attacks bearing a grim resemblance to the daily bloodshed in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

“It’s definitely become more dangerous here,” said Puthorn Thaisomboon, 56, a recently retired education official from Saba Yoi, a Muslim district in a province more famous for its Chinese architecture than its mosques.

“Teachers here are getting shot, rubber tappers are being killed in the mornings. It’s not as serious as the other provinces but it’s happening more and more.”

From the gas station where Puthorn fills up his aging pickup truck, he can point to three places in this buzzing market town where suspected insurgents have struck.

In front of him is a rundown tea shop attacked just three days earlier by mystery gunmen who killed a villager and critically wounded two others, one of them an eight-year-old boy.

To his left is a another tea shop bombed last year; and to his right, a market where two years ago police shot and killed 19 young men who fled after attacking a nearby security checkpoint.

“It used to be peaceful here,” he recalled.

Punthorn says it was the upsurge in attacks on teachers – popular targets for militants – that drove him to take early retirement.

He recounted the death of a close friend, Thorsaporn Nontigarn, a 47-year-old teacher who was gunned down only two months ago by teenagers on a motorcycle as she traveled to school.

As is the status quo in this mysterious conflict, no one claimed responsibility for the attack and the perpetrators remain unknown.

“After that, there was a rumor that 15 more teachers would be killed in Songkhla,” Punthorn said. “That’s when I knew it was the right time to retire.”

Security forces are all too aware of the problem. When an emergency decree was invoked in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala last July, four districts of Songkhla were placed under martial law.

Army intelligence claimed separatist militants were using those districts to evade arrest, stash weapons and plot attacks in the three provinces.

The army said a military presence was a necessity, but not on the scale of the other provinces, although with Humvees on patrol and submachine gun-toting troops guarding Hat Yai’s bustling international airport, they’re clearly taking no chances.

Srisompob Jitphiromsri, a professor of political science at Prince of Songkhla University in Pattani, points to the region’s history as a possible factor behind the sporadic militant violence in Songkhla.

Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, along with Songkhla’s mainly Muslim districts of Chana, Thepa and Saba Yoi, formed part of the Malay sultanate of Patani, which was annexed in 1902 by Siam. Support for separatism – in response to Bangkok’s neglectful, often arrogant rule over the region – has existed there ever since.

“The Muslim parts of Songkhla have close social and historical ties to the three provinces,” Srisompob said. “I don’t think there are strong insurgent networks in Songkhla, but there may be an influence from outside.”

But with the authorities offering no explanation for the killings, most people here remain in the dark.

“Many people have been shot here but I don’t know if this is linked to the insurgency,” said Bahem, who runs a convenience store just a few meters away from a tea shop popular with policemen that was ravaged by a home-made bomb late last year. “I know people in the villages are concerned about this.”

Anthony Davis, a security analyst for Jane’s information group, said the rise in attacks in Songkhla was likely part of a general escalation of violence across the region.

“There is talk of this violence spreading into other provinces but I’m not sure this is as a result of planning,” he said. “The attackers just seem to be getting busier.”

Punthorn, the retired education official, believes Songkhla’s disillusioned youth may be behind the hit-and-run attacks that are taking place more often here.

Like many government officials, he suspects some traditional Islamic pondok schools are being used as breeding grounds for militants – a claim that has angered Islamic leaders.

“The teenagers might be connected to this problem,” he said, looking over at a big group of young Muslim men smoking cigarettes while perched idly on Honda Wave motorcycles.

“Many studied in the pondoks in Yala and Pattani. Maybe they are being manipulated by these groups. We just don’t know.”

Source: ThaiDay - 19 May 2006

[elkangorito]

It's almost as if Toxin, the war monger responsible for installing this vile decree, was following similar ideals to that of the ultimate war monger...Bush, the worlds biggest terrorist.

Burnt a few brain cells with this original thought and observation.

Really, are you so naive as to think that things will change once Bush leaves office? It will just be the same old SH_t different day.

Learn to live with it.........................

I agree.

The likelihood of this decree being recinded is remote.

I live in hope

BTW, my new nickname for the man that installed this violent decree...the Toxic Avenger.

[Jai Dee]

Acting PM believes the unrest in the Deep South has improved

Acting Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit(ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์ ) is confident that the unrest situation in the three southern border provinces has improved following his supervision regarding security matters.

He said the officials have revealed that the youth are still being misled by the insurgents. He said the performances of the officials have improved as well.

However, he indicated that Damrong Tham(ดำรงธรรม) center will be separated from Southern Border Peace-Building Centre (SBPC) so that the officials can work together with the army.

As for the decision of Army Commander in Chief to seek an audience with His Majesty the King to report on the situation in the Deep South, Gen Chitchai said that HM King has always been concerned about the situtation in the Deep South.

He spoke about eradicating narcotics, adding that the officials will be monitored. He admitted that there have been many complaints recently about drug trafficking in the area and he would inspect the Deep South himself.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 May 2006

[jdinasia]

hmmm the other thread mentioning the Gov't wanting to set up an Islamic Uni is a good start

[opothai]

I used to go to great lengths to try and understand, and defend where I could, some of the grievances of the Muslims, here and elsewhere in the world.

Unfortunately, the Muslims themselves everywhere has not done much to justify the empathy I and many people felt for their cause. The actions of the so-called 'fundamentalists', and more importantly, the failure of 'mainstream' Muslims to take these fundamentalists to task has lost most of that empathy, to the point where I have to swing to the other side. I believe this is true for the majority of non-Muslims around the world. Most goodwill is being lost, or has already been lost.

It is time for moderate Muslims, if the majority, to show that they want to put their own house in order first, else they will find very little sympathy anywhere....

A great pity, cause it moves us all closer to destruction.

my sentiments also,

until the mainstream muslims do something the government must act and try different solutions they can not just do nothing

[dog412]

the truth is ,yes, it is all about islam. that is why they have been targeting certain thai muslims. this is well documented. remember, islam is not the indigenous belief of malaysia,indonesia or southern thailand.

[jdinasia]

huh? indigenous? whell I guess that in the middle east you have 3 indigenous reliigons that are mainstream ... and in Northern India ... that pretty much covers that ...

Now ... what is the religion not being indigenous have to do with anything?

[elkangorito]

huh? indigenous? whell I guess that in the middle east you have 3 indigenous reliigons that are mainstream ... and in Northern India ... that pretty much covers that ...

Now ... what is the religion not being indigenous have to do with anything?

Yes. My question precisely.

And the more people SEGREGATE themselves from each other, the more problems humanity will have.

I believe having Islamic (Muslim) Universties/Schools will only help to diffuse the current 'misunderstood' situation.

In case nobody has noticed, this incorrectly perceived Muslim threat really only came to the fore AFTER George W Bush launched the illegal war on Iraq. Prior to this, adverse Muslim action against the western world, was quite small.

The only way to undo the international damage done by USA Foreign Policy, (& the damaging actions/beliefs of other countries) is to allow all peoples from all faiths to freely exist. It is my hope & wish that by showing (& performing) tolerance & allowance, peoples of different religious persuasions can co-exist without a problem.

I believe the Western 'violent' reaction toward Islamic religion is abhorrent & therefore contributes to 'fuel' the Islamic zealots. If Western over-reaction stops, I believe that Islamic based terrorist acts will be greatly reduced.

There is only one thing that hasn't happened in all of this crap...COMMUNICATION!!!

Edited May 20, 2006 by elkangorito

[jdinasia]

huh? W didn't start the nutjob terrorists

they've been around for a long time ... and a real problem for a long time

[elkangorito]

huh? W didn't start the nutjob terrorists

they've been around for a long time ... and a real problem for a long time

I agree with you...he didn't 'start' the nutjob terrorists but I certainly did notice a dramatic increase in 'Islamic terrorist' acts AFTER George W announced the illegal war on Iraq. Prior to that, Islamic terrorism was little (albeit still apparent) compared to what is happening now.

[jdinasia]

huh? 911 ... Bali 1 .... not to mention embassy bombings etc ... all before Iraq2

BUT the thread is about lifting the poorly done seige in the south ....

<personally I think helping make some real changes in the South coupled with small unit tactics would do much better than what is happening now)

[Johpa]

I accept that the vast majority of Muslims are not terrorists, but the vast majority of terrorists seem to be Muslims. And while we in sympathy welcome them into our own farang countries perhaps we are only setting up a problem for our grandchildren.

Ugh

Please the situation in the South of Thailand is awful ... but again it isn't about Islam. The fact that the people are Muslim is secondary.

Comparing the South to Isaan is exceedingly weak. ((language/ethnicity/history))

I don't think the comparison of Isaan to the South is "exceedingly weak". Both regions are discriminated against by the ruling elite in Bangkok. One could even argue that Isaan is more ignored than the south as there is less opportunity for obtaining illegal income from smuggling in Isaan as compared to the South. The South has enough opportunity that it has even provided Thailand with a PM, Prem. I have not seen any PMs arise from Isaan.

Both areas are distinct from the capitol. Both areas speak a language not accepted as mainstay in Bangkok. Both have differences in culture that sets them apart from the culture of the capitol. And both areas have a history of varying ethnic and national identies aside from Bangkok.

The "awfulness" of the situation down south is a fairly recent turn of events. Go back a mere 20 years and one could travel about the South and encounter a typically laid back southeast Asian population who seemed pretty content, certainly no different than their counterparts up north, and far more content then their far poorer counterparts in Isaan.

On the surface, the current strife down south might appear to some as irredentist movement based upon nationalism. But that is simply not the case. The current violence and hatred is constructed by, and fueld by, the preachings of the militant Islamic teachings of the Wahabi (Saudi) sponsored schools and mosques financed by our petrol dollars.

[jdinasia]

Hmmmm sounds like more bigotry against Islam to me.

But the argument about Isaan being more ignored was just funny! It actually made me laugh out loud! Isaan is more ignored because they don't have opportunities for smuggling! 555 Is isaan poorer than the South? yes .... Does that have anything to do with smuggling in any real way? NO ... It has to do with natural resources, access to the Ocean/Gulf etc

Isaan culture IS Thai culture. The Religion is Thai religion the Language is a 'Tai' language and incerdibly similar to central Thai. The customs and practices are pretty much the same as the rest of the country ..

The strife in the South is about culture/ethnic identity/ etc not about radical Islam ... are there some radicals? YES! And the current Gov't policies are making more all the time!