Thai analysis: Bringing peace to deep South: mission impossible?

[webfact]

ANALYSIS
Bringing peace to deep South: mission impossible?
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The car bomb that ripped through a busy street in Yala's Betong district last week killing two people and wounding 42 surprised security officials.

Situated at a location not easy to access due to a long stretch of winding roads through mountainous terrain, Betong has a "natural barrier" that makes it hard for insurgents to target.

Also, its strong public safety network, "Ta Sapparod", has boosted its image as a safe tourist haven.

The previous major insurgency attack that rocked Betong took place eight years ago when six banks were simultaneously hit by bomb explosions.

Security officials believe insurgents grabbed the chance to strike with last week's attack, as security had become lax.

"Authorities were vigilant only sometimes and locals were not as cautious as before,'' an official said.

Since 2004, more than 6,100 people have been killed in near-daily bombings and shootings in the Muslim-majority region near Thailand's southern border with Malaysia.

As part of psychological warfare strategies, insurgents also aim to demonstrate their capability by targeting "safe zones" declared by authorities, and Betong was one of them.

It had been proposed that the state of emergency be lifted in the district, along with other deep South areas with minimum insurgency violence.

But it would seem few places are truly safe. The motorcycle bomb attack at Khok Pho Hospital in Pattani in May showed there is no humanitarian principles at play.

Last year several rounds of tentative peace discussions between some rebel factions and the authorities were held, but the talks stalled as the political crisis erupted in Bangkok, culminating in the May coup.

The question over whether the southern border provinces have experienced fewer insurgent attacks since the junta took control of the country may not be easy to answer because the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) seized power shortly before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a period that traditionally results in insurgency attacks peaking.

Although the Internal Security Operations Command has claimed that the number of insurgent attacks compared with the same period last year has declined, locals are not convinced.

Analysts believe the catalyst for the rising insurgency lately is the junta's tactic of pressuring figures behind insurgency movement through direct talks.

The junta has ruled out granting autonomy for the region in its peace talks with separatists. Article 35 of the interim charter imposed by the junta stipulates that Thailand is a single state that cannot be separated.

NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari reiterated that a proposal to turn the region into a special administrative zone would not be accepted.

It is believed the idea has fuelled a new generation of separatists who believe they have the upper hand and are staging more violent attacks in a show of force.

The junta's firmness in not granting autonomy comes at a time when the Burapha Phayak (Eastern Tigers) military clique has consolidated control in overseeing the fight against the insurgency. The clique is made of military figures from the Second Infantry Battalion - the Queen’s Guard.

Analysts believe that it appears the solidarity of the power structure tackling separatism is at its strongest level in a decade.

At the top of the structure is NCPO and Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, whose policies are delivered to deputy Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr and Fourth Army Region commander Lt-General Valit Rojanapakdee.

But Burapha Phayak military men still have to prove that having solidarity is enough when tackling this complicated and delicate issue.

Also, uncertainty may arise from the annual military reshuffle in October.

When Valit took up his new job in April, critics warned that his uncompromising and inaccessible personality might not suit the role.

But critics believe that Valit will be removed from the post in the reshuffle, as he had no experience in combating southern insurgency.

Udomdej, who chairs a high-level committee tasked with bringing peace to the deep South, may also be moved in the reshuffle.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Bringing-peace-to-deep-South-mission-impossible-30239606.html

[thenation]2014-07-28[/thenation]

[simple1]

The Coup leaders have, for the moment, also declared no local elections for provincial governors, that as I recall was one of the requests by the locals, only appointees from BKK.

[chotthee]

Don't worry. NCPO and Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has all under control.

As we speak, bad Islamic people has all fled or arrested, leaving the peaceful Thais undisturbed.

 

[The Usual Suspect]

Unless there is cooperation from the Muslim community to help put a stop to the violence, peace will never come to the region. Unfortunately, Muslims don't seem to be able to even get along with each other, much less those of other faiths. The word "tolerance" is not even in the extremist's vocabulary.

[THAILover59]

After 37 years dealing with muslims, I know through experience there is a way to work with them.

But there is always that element that is radical and not responsive.

Those individuals must be dealt with and removed. This would be necessary... 

[i claudius]

Yes i have had years of dealing with Muslims as well , at the begining i was warned by one "never trust us ,you as a kafur,are less than nothing to us ,he was right ,there will never ever be peace with them ,on the whole they hate any non Muslim ,and to be honest are not to keen on each other either 

[philippe thelong]

To solve the Deep South problem, Thai should first learn their History, which unfortunately is biased in Thai school book. How many Thai people (and Thai general), know and accept to recognize than the early years of the XX century around 1902 - 1906, then Siam just annexed the Sultanat of Patani. With the internationalization and radicalization of the Islam around the World, Thailand will have no other choice, but to give independence to Patani, as did the Indonesian to Christian Timor Este.
Regarding History, it is only about 25 years ago, that Thai recognized that the Angkor Empire, 1000 years ago covered most of today Thai territory. In the middle of the 80, information displayed on board at Temple such Prasat Phnom Rung in Buriram was written as: "Antic Indu temple built in Lop Buri style" ( as at that time 500 Bath note displayed the Khmer temple of Lop Buri), without a single word that the temple was built by the Khmer.
The deep nationalism of Thai is the main obstacle to present situation in the South, and the recent wave of Nationalism is not going to help. How many more hundred of death and how many more years of fighting are needed before wisdom will prevail.

[Lancelot]

^ From Wiki:

Patani came under Thai rule briefly during the Sukhothai period, and more extensively during the later Ayuthaya period.

In 1791 and 1808, there were rebellions within Pattani against Thai rule, following which Pattani was divided into 7 largely autonomous states (Mueang): Pattani, Nongchik, Saiburi (Teluban), Yala (Jala), Yaring (Jambu), Ra-ngae (Legeh) and Raman. All were ruled by the King of Ligor.

After the British had taken a large part of southern Thailand in 1909, Great Britain and Thailand signed the Bangkok Treaty of 1909. The British recognised Thailand's sovereignty over Pattani, and, in return, Thailand gave up a territory called Kelantan to the British.[2] All seven mueang were reunited into a monthon and incorporated into the kingdom. Later, the central government in Bangkok renamed certain localities with Thai versions of their names and merged some of the mueang.

When the monthon system was dissolved in 1933, three provinces remained: Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patani_(region)

[Hawk]

After 37 years dealing with muslims, I know through experience there is a way to work with them.
But there is always that element that is radical and not responsive.
Those individuals must be dealt with and removed. This would be necessary... 

There is no way to work with extremists/terrorists, they do not even wish to talk but removing them seems a mission impossible.

[Staffan]

To solve the Deep South problem, Thai should first learn their History, which unfortunately is biased in Thai school book. How many Thai people (and Thai general), know and accept to recognize than the early years of the XX century around 1902 - 1906, then Siam just annexed the Sultanat of Patani. With the internationalization and radicalization of the Islam around the World, Thailand will have no other choice, but to give independence to Patani, as did the Indonesian to Christian Timor Este.
Regarding History, it is only about 25 years ago, that Thai recognized that the Angkor Empire, 1000 years ago covered most of today Thai territory. In the middle of the 80, information displayed on board at Temple such Prasat Phnom Rung in Buriram was written as: "Antic Indu temple built in Lop Buri style" ( as at that time 500 Bath note displayed the Khmer temple of Lop Buri), without a single word that the temple was built by the Khmer.
The deep nationalism of Thai is the main obstacle to present situation in the South, and the recent wave of Nationalism is not going to help. How many more hundred of death and how many more years of fighting are needed before wisdom will prevail.

Very good summary! Regretably, by the Thai leadership now (again) completely ruling out any form of autonomy on key issues such as local governance, education and language, the insurgency is only becoming hardened. And it has plenty of international examples to draw encouragement from. Talking to the local leadership and also to insurgents is a must!

[HUAHIN62]

To solve the Deep South problem, Thai should first learn their History, which unfortunately is biased in Thai school book. How many Thai people (and Thai general), know and accept to recognize than the early years of the XX century around 1902 - 1906, then Siam just annexed the Sultanat of Patani. With the internationalization and radicalization of the Islam around the World, Thailand will have no other choice, but to give independence to Patani, as did the Indonesian to Christian Timor Este.
Regarding History, it is only about 25 years ago, that Thai recognized that the Angkor Empire, 1000 years ago covered most of today Thai territory. In the middle of the 80, information displayed on board at Temple such Prasat Phnom Rung in Buriram was written as: "Antic Indu temple built in Lop Buri style" ( as at that time 500 Bath note displayed the Khmer temple of Lop Buri), without a single word that the temple was built by the Khmer.
The deep nationalism of Thai is the main obstacle to present situation in the South, and the recent wave of Nationalism is not going to help. How many more hundred of death and how many more years of fighting are needed before wisdom will prevail.

The history: "The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 or Bangkok Treaty of 1909 was a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Siam signed on March 10, 1909, in Bangkok.[1] Ratifications were exchanged in London on July 9, 1909.[2]

The agreement effectively divided the northern Malay states into two parts. The area around modern Pattani (Malay: ڤتنا (Patani)), Narathiwat (Malay: منارة (Menara)), southernmost Songkhla (Malay: سيڠڬورا (Singgora)), Satun (Malay: مقيم ستل (Mukim Setul)) and Yala (Malay: جال (Jala)) remained under Thai control, while Thailand relinquished its claims to sovereignty over Kedah (Thai: ไทรบุรี (Saiburi)), Kelantan (Thai: กลันตัน (Kalantan)), Perlis (Thai: ปะลิส (Palit)) and Terengganu (Thai: ตรังกานู (Trangkanu)) which integrated the British sphere of influence as protectorates. These four states, along with Johor, later became known as the Unfederated Malay States.

Satun and Perlis had been part of the Malay Sultanate of Kedah, but only Satun (with a mixed Thai and Malay population) remained with Thailand.[citation needed] Patani, Narathiwat, southernmost Songkhla and Yala were historically parts of the Malay Sultanate of Patani, which had long been tributary to the Thais.

The British reason for sanctioning the continued Thai rule of the remaining northern half of the Malay provinces was the perceived value of Thailand as a friendly buffer against the French in Indochina.[citation needed]

Both signatories of the 1909 treaty had previously agreed to the Burney Treaty in 1826. The Burney Treaty stated that Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu were Thai provinces while Penang and Province Wellesley belonged to the British while Thailand would not interfere with British trade in Kelantan and Terengganu.[citation needed]

This agreement has had a long lasting effect on both Thailand and the Federation of Malaysia. The border between them was mainly drawn by this treaty.

The incremental tide of discontent generated by the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 may have, in part laid the foundations for the South Thailand insurgency in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat from 2004 to the present."

[Bigfarang1948]

Muslim expansion is pervasive in many countries; Australia might be an exception, but the problem in southern Thailand will eventually creep north, village by village, city by city until there, one day, in the distant future, there will be more mosques that Buddhist temples here; we wont live to see it but put this in a time capsule in some corner stone and open it in 200 years

Unless there is cooperation from the Muslim community to help put a stop to the violence, peace will never come to the region. Unfortunately, Muslims don't seem to be able to even get along with each other, much less those of other faiths. The word "tolerance" is not even in the extremist's vocabulary.

 

[puipuitom]

As many wrote above: Muslim extremists believe only their way is the only right one, as they have a direct contact with the Lord.
A person ever been a Muslim or an area ever be under Muslim rule, stays always Muslim. Leaving the Muslim hood has to be punished by death.
All lying, cheating, double-crossing, swindling, perjury... all is under Taqqiya allowed as long as it is in the advantage of the Ummaya = Muslim world.
And... ONLY THEIR way of Muslim life is correct, all others not. See ISIS

You need only a 25 of that type of persons in entire Thailand to have terrorist violence.

Remind: worldwide all plane passengers and their luggage are checked, not because or potential terrorist attacks as Buddhists want their religion back on Java, not because the Cherokee Indians or others want their land back, nor the Celtic Britons nor the Prussians East Prussia, but for one group only: Muslim Arabs.

[clockman]

Having lived with Arabs for 20 years. Saudi Arabia. The Saudi will tell you. We do not have to fight you. We take you over by having more children than you! It is already happening in Europe.

 

Edited July 28, 2014 by clockman

[Hawk]

Having lived with Arabs for 20 years. Saudi Arabia. The Saudi will tell you. We do not have to fight you. We take you over by having more children than you! It is already happening in Europe.
 

Correct. Capitals across Europe are turning brown.

[opalred]

the only way to stop the sensless killings is to bring the ones backing it to world court crimes against humanity
islamic council of malaya and govt members backed by that council

[i claudius]

the only way to stop the sensless killings is to bring the ones backing it to world court crimes against humanity
islamic council of malaya and govt members backed by that council

Nothing will stop it ,Muslims believe that all of us should be of their faith ,if you are not ,then you do not matter in the least, they seem to forget that the Jews were the first ,then Christians then 700 years later their worlord who was married to a nine year old girl came last ,so basically if you think that way ,we are all Jews originally if you believe in the one God. Anyway if they cant kill us they just massacre each other.

[BestBitterPhuket]

Malaysia is close to victory and claiming back the "lost territories". Thailand's strategies or lack off, has failed in all these years. Thailand has two choices, get help from Israel and USA and destroy the insurgents and put a stop to malaysian interference, or let them join Malaysia. It can't continue like today where a slow-motion ethnic cleansing is taking place.

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed.

[ABCer]

Being not a religious person and not following any Leaders I have my own thoughts on the issue of terrorism.

 

Mind it, - it is not related to Israel, Thailand, Ireland, Iraq, Iran etc.

 

Terrorism is the invention of XX century.  So is the concept of Political Correctness.  BTW neither is or has been religiously based.  

 

These two concepts are mutually exclusive.  In short, you can not solve problems of Terrorism staying on the clay feet of being Politically Correct.  Never ever!

 

Stop being Politically Correct and any country can irradicate Terrorism quickly and efficiently.  Those visibly heartless cruel ready to die terrorists are not so hard on the inside, especially if you mobilize against them their friends, their relatives, their spiritual leaders etc.  

 

 

[EiranCikguLow]

Malaysia is close to victory and claiming back the "lost territories". Thailand's strategies or lack off, has failed in all these years. Thailand has two choices, get help from Israel and USA and destroy the insurgents and put a stop to malaysian interference, or let them join Malaysia. It can't continue like today where a slow-motion ethnic cleansing is taking place.

 

Malaysia?... what gave u the idea they were interested in joining Malaysia?...
even if that was the intention (highly doubtful) there would be too many problems to integrate into malaysia...
as far as I know that has never been mentioned
no claims from the terrorists...

and I'm pretty sure Malaysia has enough problems especially in the light of recent tragedies....

 

[Paulzed]

My wife and I lived in a Muslim village in the south, our experience with these people, has changed the way we see Islamic people.

My wife and I have no time or patience for these people now, when ever possible we will never buy from a Muslim owned shop and avoid interacting with Muslims when ever we can.

They don't call themselves Khon Thai, they call themselves Khon Islam, they have no respect for Thais( Buddhists) or the Monarchy.

They were constantly trying to get us to convert  to Islam.

 

They are hateful, spiteful people, jealous of each other and are constantly fighting with each other.

They tell their children at an early age that they are

Smarter than Non Muslims

Cleaner than Non Muslims

and better  than Non Muslims

 

From My experience with these people, my solution to the growing Islamic Problem would be to recommend a saying famously quoted by Mussolini " Its time to take of the white gloves"

 

Also get all of the history books and burn them, the history is in the past the world has moved on since then and will never be the same, crying about what happened in 1909 or in 1700's is the reason why we have these problems today.  

  

[opalred]

well said paulzed   the trouble starts with scare tatics to the young   as i joined the mob and lived with them for some yrs  if you laugh and joke

they would stop you as  this life to be miserable    and treat there woman who live in fear like sh,t