Decree Must Be Revoked, Southern Muslims Say

[astral]

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!

Is it the innocent citizens who are speaking out, or the Muslim leaders down there?

The latter is my guess.

Surely they have a duty to control/influence their people and come up

with a concrete plan to eliminate to at least reduce the problems?

Revoke the decree is not sufficient.

It should be Revoke the Decree and we will.........................................

to improve the situation.

Edited May 21, 2006 by astral

[jdinasia]

why? No one ever held Northern Ireland up to those standards?

There are groups all over that are doing bad things ... but to assume that the average schmoe knows anything about it to the extent they would speak out against another local they only suspect and don't KNOW are bad is just nuts! hel_l that would be turning someone that is potentially innocent over to the same folks that mismanaged Tak Bai and the so called "war on drugs"

Though in fact I do agree that work should be done to foster more open communication about the real issues that are brewing down in the South. Sadly by segregating the populations by more matial law and suspicion and "disappearances" just won't cut it.

Edited May 21, 2006 by jdinasia

[tettyan]

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.

Wrong. This is not just about Islam. The conflict in the south throughout much of it's history has been more of an ethnic rather than religious conflict - the religious element became a major factor only much later. Just look at the Muslim-majority province of Satun, which has not witnessed nearly the same level violence as the neighboring provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala. The reason for this is that Satun is a Thai-speaking province - the people are ethnically and culturally Thai while at the same time happening to be Muslims. The situation is very different in the other 3 provinces, which are mostly Malay-speaking and culturally very different from the rest of the southern region, not to mention the differences with the rest of Thailand.

Edited May 21, 2006 by tettyan

[jdinasia]

Tetty ... you are a perfect poster ....

70% of the time I just want to strangle you ... the other 30% I adore you! You make it interesting!

[tettyan]

Tetty ... you are a perfect poster ....

70% of the time I just want to strangle you ... the other 30% I adore you! You make it interesting!

Why thank you!

This would be a very boring forum indeed if everyone agreed on everything all the time. At least that`s something we can all agree on!

[Jai Dee]

Intelligence operations in the deep South will be improved

Acting caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) admits that the government’s intelligence in the restive South is still one step behind groups staging violence in that region.

Pol. Gen. Chidchai said that must be improved. He and caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will discuss southern security measures with agencies concerned today.

Pol. Gen. Chidchai said that statistically, violent incidents in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat did not increase. He added, however, that strategies in dealing with the violence will be adjusted next year.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 May 2006

[jdinasia]

Tetty ... you are a perfect poster ....

70% of the time I just want to strangle you ... the other 30% I adore you! You make it interesting!

Why thank you!

This would be a very boring forum indeed if everyone agreed on everything all the time. At least that`s something we can all agree on!

Even the people I LIKE I rarely agree with more than 1/2 the time .. the outlandish ones ... well I am learning where to bother responding

[Jai Dee]

Yala Islamic Committee Chairman disagrees with the demand for a resignation of the Chief of the Muslim in Thailand

The Chairman of the Islamic Committee for Yala (ยะลา) Province, Mr. Abdulloh Ma JaShaa (อับดุลเราะห์แม เจ๊ะแซ), disagrees with the demand for Chief of the Muslim in Thailand’s resignation.

A few Muslim groups have called for the Chief of the Muslim in Thailand to resign. However, Mr. Abdulloh said the campaign is inappropriate as the Islamic chief has been designated by His Majesty the King, and he was not chosen from an election.

He also suggested that the groups should harmonize and support the chief’s projects so chaos in the region would be dissolved soon.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Dem Party advises Gen. Chitchai to be more cautious when analyzing unrest in the deep south

Advisory Council of the Democrat Party, Chuan Leekpai (ชวน หลีกภัย) has urged Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit(ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) to exercise good judgement in regards to the unrest situation in three southern border provinces as to prevent any misunderstanding among the local residents.

Mr. Chuan said that by informing local residents in the Deep South that the situation has improved, is actually misleading the residents there. Mr Chuan said that by distorting the facts to the southerners, the situation may aggravate while violence may continue.

He said related officials should assist and provide security for residents, teachers and monks and that every party should be careful at all times.

Mr. Chuan has requested Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to re-adjust the present policies implemented in the Deep South so mistakes will not be repeated.

At the same development, Mr Chuan declined to comment about the situation in the Deep South during Dr Thaksin's absence from politics. However, he personally believes that Fourth Region Army Commander Lieutenant-general Ong-korn Tongprasom (องค์กร ทองประสม) has performed his duties at his utmost.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 May 2006

[Losangels]

[

Pol. Gen. Chidchai said that statistically, violent incidents in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat did not increase. He added, however, that strategies in dealing with the violence will be adjusted next year.

How about adjusting the strategies right now instead of waiting next year. The situation is escalating, daily killings and what have you? Get someone who is truly capable of handling the unrest until its too late!

[jdinasia]

Only 2 ways of dealing with the violence in the South ... and niether will yield instant results

1) Diesngage the Military from doing anything more than provinding security for teachers monks etc ....

2) Start building real relationships with the people that live there. If they are being treated fairly and with respect ... the good guys WILL give up the bad guys <eventually>

[Jai Dee]

Pol. Gen. Chitchai indicated that the govt always evaluates and monitors the southern situation

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) has indicated that the government always evaluates and monitors the situation in the deep South. The government also tries to hunt down the insurgents who disguise themselves in the area.

Pol. Gen. Chitchai will visit the South again to evaluate the level of violence there. He has argued that only some areas in the southern provinces are facing with intense violence. He said that he needs time to consider the troubles in this region and to create further solutions.

He, however, added that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will visit the restive South next week. He said that the premier will allocate a budget to assist the local people.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Schools in the Deep South authorized to halt operations if fear of violence continues

Education Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng(จาตุรนต์ ฉายแสง) stated that it is up to the integrity of schools in the three southern border provinces, whether they would like to suspend their school operations or not, in the light of violence. He indicated that the measures to evacuate students will be temporary only. Mr Chaturon indicated that once schools feel more at ease with the situation and that security measures are implemented, schools then could resume.

As for the case concerning Kujingreupa (กูจิงรือปะ) school, Mr Chaturon said that once security is implemented and that the confidence is restored, the school semester will go back to its normal condition.

Mr. Chaturon said that the new school semester will start on the 29th of May; however,schools can suspend operations if they feel that security has not been restored.

In regards to setting up fences surrounding schools in the south, Mr Chaturon said that it is only one of a security measures, amongst others. Teacher sin the south have resisted the idea of setting up fences, saying that fences will not guarantee safety for teachers or students. Mr Chaturon said that there are many ways to provide security such as dispatching more officials and improvements of public relations.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 May 2006

[chuang]

How can you be soft toward these so called warriors of allah who killed the innocents.

Even the muslim villagers women included are involved...the killings of the two marines..lately the savage torture and killing of woman teachers...Now what's all these.....

It's sad that the Thai politicians are not united in dealing this problem, they are only interested in lining their own pockets at the even as their country goes down the drain.

The recent demostrations are but one good example...The Democrats and PAD, they are a shame to the country.

In the south, you can fight fire with water but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Learn for Isreal. If Thailand allows this to go on in five years time I think the south wii becomes another

Midanao in the Pillippines, then it would be difficult to stop.

Mind you Thailand shares the southern border with Mayalsia, an Islamic country, it is so easy to move arms and people across this border...

[nganadeeleg]

Only 2 ways of dealing with the violence in the South ... and niether will yield instant results

1) Diesngage the Military from doing anything more than provinding security for teachers monks etc ....

2) Start building real relationships with the people that live there. If they are being treated fairly and with respect ... the good guys WILL give up the bad guys <eventually>

Neither will work on it's own, but implementing both strategies at the same time would be a good start.

[nganadeeleg]

How can you be soft toward these so called warriors of allah who killed the innocents.

Even the muslim villagers women included are involved...the killings of the two marines..lately the savage torture and killing of woman teachers...Now what's all these.....

It's sad that the Thai politicians are not united in dealing this problem, they are only interested in lining their own pockets at the even as their country goes down the drain.

The recent demostrations are but one good example...The Democrats and PAD, they are a shame to the country.

In the south, you can fight fire with water but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Learn for Isreal. If Thailand allows this to go on in five years time I think the south wii becomes another

Midanao in the Pillippines, then it would be difficult to stop.

Mind you Thailand shares the southern border with Mayalsia, an Islamic country, it is so easy to move arms and people across this border...

I doubt whether Israel is a good example, unless you want a perpetual mess in the region.

What has to be remembered is that each person killed has a friend or relative that will want revenge.

While it might have started as an ethnic dispute, heavy handed tactics will just play into the hands of the fundamentalists who want it to become a religious war.

[tettyan]

In the south, you can fight fire with water but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Learn for Isreal. If Thailand allows this to go on in five years time I think the south wii becomes another

Midanao in the Pillippines, then it would be difficult to stop.

Fighting fire with fire? What do we end up when the Thai government tries that? The war on drugs! See my latest post in the war on drugs thread to see what a marvelous success that was.

People in the south arn't going to cooperate with the government so long as the local officials are abusive and corrupt. That's where we need to start. Starting with your kind of attitude instead will only make things work.

In the end, Thailand needs to accept the principles of a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society if it is ever to stay united. Welcome to the 21st century!

[Plus]

Southern situation has been ignored for too long to easily untangle it, and perhaps it's already irreversible.

People there do not want to be part of Thailand, or at least Thaksin's Thailand. They percieve it as a totally corrupt country bent on destroying any shred of morality and religion that is still left. Infidels with capital I.

Prostitution, drinking, gambling - all vices are legalised and glorified. It's not that Muslsims are vice free, it's that they know what vice is. Thais have lost all sense of right and wrong.

It's generalisation, of course, but go and read the thread about the noise, for example. When Muslims get up for their first prayer Thais are still boozing and whoring. Who wants to live with these people? Muslims don't, and I can't blame them.

Throw weeds of religious extremism and nationalism in this soil, water them with Krue Sue and Tak Bai massacres, add imported fertilisers from Iraq and Guantanamoand, and watch how it grows.

Ever wondered why 131 Thais living in refugee camp in Malaysia don't want to return? It all started when their dying village head said it was Thai forces that shot him, and then those Thais showed up at the village to apprehend "perpetrators".

Misterious death squads from drug war days are a distant memory for us, but for Muslims there it's a daily threat. Many believe it's the government itseld who is behind most of the violence blamed on separatists.

The worst part that Muslims themselves got tainted with hatred and violence and lost the very virtues they are trying to protect. They've got in a fight with pigs, in the mud. No one is going to come out clean out of this.

[dog412]

many thai muslims are targeted for death by by those very same muslims who "expound the religion of peace", but decree lslamic sharia, whether they really understand it or not.

[Jai Dee]

The government rules out suspicions that it has used violence against southern people

Caretaker Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) denies reports that government kidnapped and killed residents in the restive south. ACM KOngsak spoke after reports alleged that 500 bodies were found in scattered graves in Narathiwat and Yala.

The reports were disclosed recently by interim senator Kraisak Choonhavan (ไกรศักดิ์ ชุณหะวัณ).

ACM Kongsak ruled out suspicions that the government might have used violence against people in the three southern border provinces. He said the graves may really be there but could just be Muslim burial grounds.

The minister asked for verification of sensitive information before revealing it to the public.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 May 2006

[Plus]

many thai muslims are targeted for death by by those very same muslims who "expound the religion of peace",

They view them as traitors. By mixing with "Thai" Thais they corrupt the purity of Muslim Thais. First they work together, then attend each others weddings, then drinking will start, then there will be no turning back.

Doesn't justify killings, just the reason.

It's the same principle as in the great debate about Buddhism corrupted by Western materialism.

[Jai Dee]

Yala uses the strategy of mass power on ending the violence and bringing peace to the province

Yala (ยะลา) Governor Boonyasit Suwannarat (บุญญสิทธิ์ สุวรรณรัตน์) has requested District-Chief Officer and local administrators to use mass power on ending the violence and bringing peace to the province.

The governor spoke about the measure to solve the southern unrest by providing trainings to district chiefs and local administrators. He said this measure would enable them to deal with restive issues more capably. The southernmost province of Yala is aware that the local leaders are important mechanisms for the government to take care of the general public in this region.

He informed that the government aims to develop the potentials of the local administrators so that people will have more confidence in the government's measures and implementation.

He added the local administrators play an important role in working with the local people as they have close ties with them.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Kitti agrees with the proposal setting Malay language as the official language for the provinces in the southern region

Former Yala Governor Kitti Kittichokwattana (กิตติโชควัฒนา) has indicated that the proposal to set the local Malay language as the official language in the southern provinces can be the key factor in ending the unrest in the region.

The governor agrees with the proposal as a number of residents are using this language in their daily lives. He said that this proposal can reach people’s demand, adding that it will benefit the government in solving the southern problems.

As for the framework of measures to deal with the unrest situation in the Deep South, he views that the local people will judge that the government’s measures can solve the problems more accurately.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

The government will investigate the death of 141 unidentified bodies found in Pattani

The government is to set up a panel to investigate causes of the death of 141 unidentified bodies found in the southern Muslim province of Pattani.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) said the investigation is necessary as some of those people reportedly died of unnatural causes.

Pol. Gen. Chidchai said he has already ordered officials of the Royal Thai Police Office, the Attorney-General Office and the Justice Ministry to carry out an initial probe in Pattani.

He said the government wanted to prove it was not hiding anything from the public. Some reports said a few massive graves containing about 500 dead bodies were found in Narathiwat and Yala but authorities dismissed them as groundless.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

The cabinet approves 68 million baht for assistance to southern teachers

The cabinet approved yesterday a budget of 68 million baht for the repair of the houses of teachers in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat and improve the landscapes in these three southern border provinces.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) said the money was part of a package of assistance measures for teachers working in the deep south.

Pol. Gen. Chidchai said the government would increase the number of security protection volunteers in every village in the three provinces. It was also considering whether to recruit local people as rangers, he said.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Chaturon visits Southern provinces to follow up with the security measures for teachers

Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang (จาตุรนต์ ฉายแสง) visited the southern region to follow up on the security measures planned for teachers in the areas and the implementation of vocational courses in the religious schools.

Mr. Chaturon had a discussion with related agencies and said that they have proposed many ideas on safety measures for local teachers. He has followed up with the implementation of vocational courses in Ponoh and religious schools so that students can get jobs once they have graduated.

The Education Minister will also look after the bilingual programs and Islamic education courses being offered in government schools as well.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 May 2006

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Chaturon: teachers' call for moving out of the restive south will not impact on the education in those areas

Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang (จาตุรนต์ ฉายแสง) stated that the teachers' demand to move out of the southernmost provinces of Thailand will not impact education in the region.

He said that he has allowed some southern teachers to transfer themselves to other provinces. However, the Education Ministry has issued a policy to encourage remaining teachers to continue their roles in the Deep South. In the meantime, he has requested the residents to help oversee teachers' security in their respective areas.

As for Kujingreupa (กูจิงรือปะ) School in Narathiwat (นราธิวาส) Province, he said that the school will reopen soon.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 May 2006

[Galong]

"It's the same principle as in the great debate about Buddhism corrupted by Western materialism."

Western materialism??? Many Asians are just as pretenious as any Westerner, if not more.

Buddhism has been corrupted from within by the very Thai monks who preach it. Religions are all the same and they all have some of the same problems. They are also the root of much evil.

World War III is well underway. It ain't gonna get any better I fear.

Demon est Deus Inversus (God and the Devil are the same)

[Jai Dee]

PM confirms that he will visit the Deep South

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has affirmed that he will visit the Deep South to follow up the violence situations in the area.

Dr. Thaksin insisted that he will visit the three southernmost provinces before the general election on October will take place. He said that he is organizing his schedule to find appropriate times to go down to the region.

He said that he cannot visit the provinces at this moment as he has to organize the grand event to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

NRC proposes three measures to end the southern violence

The National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) has recommended the government implement three measures to bring peace back to the restive south.

NRC chairman Anand Panyarachun (อนันต์ ปันยารชุน) said the first of the three measures, presented to the government on May 16, called for the issue of the Peace and Reconciliation in Southern Border Provinces Act, with three agencies set up to promote good understanding between the state and local people, develop southern provinces and heal the pains caused by a series of violence.

Mr. Anand said the second measure proposed the setting up of unarmed Santisena (สันติเสนา) civilian-police-military task force to prevent conflict. NRC also proposed that the government talk with movements involved in the violence and take tough action against officials facing complaints of unfair treatment against local people.

The third measure called on the government to reform land management system, solve unemployment problem, increase the efficiency of the justice system and promote community participation in managing local resources, Mr. Anand said.

Caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng (จาตุรนต์ ฉายแสง) said the government agreed with the measures and would soon start doing what the caretaker government could do.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 June 2006