Beliefs shaken as theatre of violence widens in South
Don Pathan
Special to The Nation


Officials check out the rubble after the massive car bomb attack in Yala

BANGKOK: -- The latest attack in Yala's Betong district, which the authorities believed would remain untouched, demonstrates that the separatists cannot be dismissed

Expect it to happen when you least expect it. This seemed to be the message the separatist militants had for Thai authorities when they launched a massive car-bomb attack in Yala's Betong district last Friday.

Until this incident, which claimed three lives and inflicted injuries on more than 30 others, Betong had been untouched by the wave of insurgency that actually erupted in 2001 but wasn't officially recognised until January 4, 2004. Authorities woke up to it when, in 2004, militants raided an Army battalion and made off with more than 300 weapons. This was when the authorities could no longer dismiss the political underpinnings of the attack.

The Betong attack came seven months after the insurgents had effectively expanded their theatre of violence to include Songkhla's Sadao district. In December 2013 three bomb attacks had been carried out in Sadao in a single day - two police stations were hit by motorbike bomb and one car bomb was detonated in the heart of the Dan Nok red-light area.

But what was even more nerve-wracking for security officials was the twin-canister bomb, with a blast radius of 500 metres, which was discovered at the Phuket police station compound on that very day in December 2013. The bomb, hidden in a stolen pickup truck, was wired and ready to be set off, except the culprit had forgotten to turn on the switch to arm it. The idea was to demonstrate to the authorities what the insurgents are capable of, according to an exiled Barisan Revolusi Nasional-Coordinate (BRN-C) source.

If nothing else, the Sadao and Betong incidents sent a stern message to Thailand's security apparatus that the insurgents were expanding their violence into new territory and that they would continue to discredit the authorities and make the area as ungovernable as possible.

The two incidents also defied the long-standing conventional belief among Thai security officials that Sadao would be left undisturbed because it served as a transit route for insurgents leaving and entering Thailand through the Andaman Sea.

The same people also believed that Betong would be left untouched due to logistics. There is only one road that leads to this border town and there is hardly anywhere to run and hide.

The Betong attack, as well as the Sadao attack in December, essentially destroyed this argument as the insurgents have proved that they are capable of reaching beyond their traditional grid. Now, whether they can sustain their operation in these newly charted territories still remains to be seen.

Like the warning that preceded the simultaneous attacks on four petrol stations and 7-Eleven convenience stores in Pattani in late May, the Betong attack also had a warning of sorts to minimise casualties. This warning came in the form of a much smaller bomb.

Before the Pattani attacks, the culprit dashed for a waiting motorbike after parking a bomb-laden motorbike next to the station's fuel pump. Similar obvious moves were made at the convenience stores. And after 10 years of non-stop violence, residents know how to read these signs and make a run for it.

Yet, the insurgents' restraint is rarely publicised because the authorities make no differentiation among the victims, be they bystanders or directly targeted, since they prefer to demonise the separatists rather than put the conflict and the violence into proper perspective.

The separatists have shifted their theatre of violence from remote areas to urban and "high-profile" sites, thus making civilian casualties almost inevitable. Nevertheless, the issue of collateral damage continues to be a topic of debate within the movement.

The very fact that the BRN and insurgents are concerned about this issue is a positive sign, because it suggests that the benchmark for massive bomb attacks is not necessarily the body count but more the political statement aimed at discrediting the authorities.

The apparent restraint by the insurgents has also suggested that, despite the brutality, which the media often play up, there is room for compromise.

Of course there have been target killings of innocent civilians, including women and children. However, rebel sources and security officials maintain that such killings are of a tit-for-tat nature that usually emerges when one side or the other violates the unwritten ground rules. It is understood that the killings of Muslim religious leaders is basically prohibited, no matter how close they might be to the separatists, as is the killing of innocent Buddhist monks, women and children.

Both the government and the separatists are saying it is the "spoilers" that are a growing problem - namely influential figures, crime syndicates, smugglers, drug traffickers and others who have an axe to grind with the authorities.

One way to weed out these spoilers is for the security officials and the BRN cadre to set up a clearinghouse.

Though both sides have acknowledged the benefits of having such a clearinghouse, they also admit that it is uncharted territory.

In the past, communication between local government officials and separatist militants had been channelled either through the combatants' parents or a trusted go-between, like a village imam. But that was on a case-by-case basis.

A clearinghouse, on the other hand, would comprise people from both sides who have a wider bird's-eye view of the conflict. The project would also require the blessing of top leaders from both sides before the forum progresses and evolves into something bigger and better. This could also mean more horse-trading.

The difficult part, it seems, is taking that first step. So far no interlocutor has been found. The ulema who have thought about taking up this role say they don't trust either side to keep their word. Besides, the situation is not conducive to such an initiative because there will still be people out there who disagree with this initiative and prefer to use the long-standing method - bullets - to settle old scores.

Don Pathan is a security analyst based in the South of Thailand. He is also member of the Patani Forum (www.pataniforum.com).

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Beliefs-shaken-as-theatre-of-violence-widens-in-So-30239933.html

[thenation]2014-08-01[/thenation]

there is something, thats i still can not understand about the insurgent. Why they didnt move they action inside Bangkok or pattaya?

Why for the last ten years all the murders/bombs attack/vendetta/etc  did occurs only in the south?

there is something, thats i still can not understand about the insurgent. Why they didnt move they action inside Bangkok or pattaya?

Why for the last ten years all the murders/bombs attack/vendetta/etc  did occurs only in the south?

 

It's quite simple,  down South they can slip across the border to the loving embrace of Malaysia within hours.  If they are operating in Bangkok they can't run the 15 hour trip without encountering many police or military road blocks.

interesting time line. So the insurgency did not start after the Krue Se incident in 2004.

So more death and destruction from the "religion of peace" i see.

So more death and destruction from the "religion of peace" i see.

History is full of examples of acts of violence under the guise of religion or belief, regardless of the subscription.

"...there is room for compromise."

 

Really? And what will the military Junta be willing to give up towards a compromise? I recall the military will not make any concession that affects the nation's sovereignty over the region, including buddhism as the State religion. The latest military solution was 1) improve its administrative procedures, 2) increase military presence, and 3) build fences around schools. Hardly productive measures from a diplomatic perspective. Resolution of this conflict isn't going to be as simple as the Junta ordering PTP officials in for a "talk" and education session. 
 

"...there is room for compromise."

 

Really? And what will the military Junta be willing to give up towards a compromise? I recall the military will not make any concession that affects the nation's sovereignty over the region, including buddhism as the State religion. The latest military solution was 1) improve its administrative procedures, 2) increase military presence, and 3) build fences around schools. Hardly productive measures from a diplomatic perspective. Resolution of this conflict isn't going to be as simple as the Junta ordering PTP officials in for a "talk" and education session. 
 

This is escalating and the rebels know the military can't deal with it. Watch it spread north.

 

Sad times.

interesting time line. So the insurgency did not start after the Krue Se incident in 2004.

 

Indeed, although the Krue Se incident did highlight a rise in violence, the violence does in fact go back as far as 1902 when the independent Sultanate of Patani was annexed by Thailand. A policy of forced assimilation enraged the ethnic Malay Muslims in the area. This anger eventually erupted into separatist uprisings between the 40's and 80's. Then the assimilation policy was reversed and dialogue between Thailand and Malaysia regarding the security of the area began. The 90's were largely quiet.

 

However when Thaksins government was formed in 2001, separatist attacks began again in earnest (Internal politics between Thaksin and the Privy Council have some bearing on this period, feel free to do your own investigations into this). Thaksins response was aggressive and misguided, hence providing a convenient scapegoat for blame, despite subsequent military and civilian governments failure to address the situation, thus leading to the situation the South is in today. Some sort of autonomy would seem to be the answer but with the current regime and the emphasis on Nationalism that idea is dead in the water.

 

But of course it is more convenient, and popular, to blame the Southern Insurgency on Thaksin. Why not, everything else is his fault?

Edited August 1, 201411 yr by fab4

there is something, thats i still can not understand about the insurgent. Why they didnt move they action inside Bangkok or pattaya?

Why for the last ten years all the murders/bombs attack/vendetta/etc  did occurs only in the south?

 

Maybe because this is not just an insurgency. This area is a center for the cross-border sex industry and there are rumors that some of the violence may be turf wars for control of this industry.
 

interesting time line. So the insurgency did not start after the Krue Se incident in 2004.

 
Indeed, although the Krue Se incident did highlight a rise in violence, the violence does in fact go back as far as 1902 when the independent Sultanate of Patani was annexed by Thailand. A policy of forced assimilation enraged the ethnic Malay Muslims in the area. This anger eventually erupted into separatist uprisings between the 40's and 80's. Then the assimilation policy was reversed and dialogue between Thailand and Malaysia regarding the security of the area began. The 90's were largely quiet.
 
However when Thaksins government was formed in 2001, separatist attacks began again in earnest (Internal politics between Thaksin and the Privy Council have some bearing on this period, feel free to do your own investigations into this). Thaksins response was aggressive and misguided, hence providing a convenient scapegoat for blame, despite subsequent military and civilian governments failure to address the situation, thus leading to the situation the South is in today. Some sort of autonomy would seem to be the answer but with the current regime and the emphasis on Nationalism that idea is dead in the water.
 
But of course it is more convenient, and popular, to blame the Southern Insurgency on Thaksin. Why not, everything else is his fault?

Krue Se will always be remembered as a black mark in Thai history and whether Taksin was heavy handed; it will not stopped the violence from escalating. What started as a nationalistic movement for autonomy has not generated into a rebellion legitimatized by Islam. The new groups are emboldened by happenings in the middle east, better trained, better financed and much more militant. It is now much harder to resolved and may grow into a long period of unrest like Acheh and South Philipine. I think at best, the military can contained the unrest and not let it spread and reduce the violence. Continue dialogue is an outside chance but should take whatever we got.

 

So more death and destruction from the "religion of peace" i see.

History is full of examples of acts of violence under the guise of religion or belief, regardless of the subscription.

 

 

 

Yes but we are concerned with violence around the world today and not hundreds of years ago. It's clear than Islam is not a religion of peace but one of violence.

So more death and destruction from the "religion of peace" i see.

History is full of examples of acts of violence under the guise of religion or belief, regardless of the subscription.

I agree the operative word being history when man was living in past times ,it seems the followers of this religion still live there the rest of us have evolved

Sent from my ASUS_T00J using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Forget history and deal with the current situation. It is a civil war and these so called insurgents are in fact terrorist ,however, this country does not want this mantel to be draped as it would look bad for their precious tourist industry. Until the Government recognizes it for what it is it will continue to escalate.

If they really wanted these terrorist could encroach on Phuket but they have not as they are smart enough to no that a terrorist threat in a major tourist destination could not be ignored.

 

there is something, thats i still can not understand about the insurgent. Why they didnt move they action inside Bangkok or pattaya?

Why for the last ten years all the murders/bombs attack/vendetta/etc  did occurs only in the south?

 

It's quite simple,  down South they can slip across the border to the loving embrace of Malaysia within hours.  If they are operating in Bangkok they can't run the 15 hour trip without encountering many police or military road blocks.

 

 

 

Aso down south the population will protect them. They will never divulge there location.

 

 

there is something, thats i still can not understand about the insurgent. Why they didnt move they action inside Bangkok or pattaya?

Why for the last ten years all the murders/bombs attack/vendetta/etc  did occurs only in the south?

 

It's quite simple,  down South they can slip across the border to the loving embrace of Malaysia within hours.  If they are operating in Bangkok they can't run the 15 hour trip without encountering many police or military road blocks.

 

 

 

Aso down south the population will protect them. They will never divulge there location.

 

It is almost unheard for one muslim to give up another of his religion ,thats why i do not and never will trust them ,i worked with them for to many years to realize if you are not a muslim ,you are nothing.

there has been rumour today that yesterday night, some of the suspected insurgents has been planning another bomb attack by using motorcycle, here in betong yala district. all people has been adviced to look out for any suspicious green coloured motorcycle.

Forget history and deal with the current situation. It is a civil war and these so called insurgents are in fact terrorist ,however, this country does not want this mantel to be draped as it would look bad for their precious tourist industry. Until the Government recognizes it for what it is it will continue to escalate.

If they really wanted these terrorist could encroach on Phuket but they have not as they are smart enough to no that a terrorist threat in a major tourist destination could not be ignored.

 

Here's something to think about my friend... Who would profit from this? 

Edited August 1, 201411 yr by Local Drunk

Seems like some posters here see all Muslims as violent. Surely you don't believe that. I live in Hat Yai and meet the friendliest of people all the time, and many of them are Muslim men and Muslim women. You can easily spot most Muslim women, and many Muslim men have something about their appearance that is either obviously Muslim or gives a strong hint. Please be careful with what you believe and say.

Seems like some posters here see all Muslims as violent. Surely you don't believe that. I live in Hat Yai and meet the friendliest of people all the time, and many of them are Muslim men and Muslim women. You can easily spot most Muslim women, and many Muslim men have something about their appearance that is either obviously Muslim or gives a strong hint. Please be careful with what you believe and say.

Yes ,nice to your face ,but if its a choice between you or another muslim,don,t turn your back.

 

Seems like some posters here see all Muslims as violent. Surely you don't believe that. I live in Hat Yai and meet the friendliest of people all the time, and many of them are Muslim men and Muslim women. You can easily spot most Muslim women, and many Muslim men have something about their appearance that is either obviously Muslim or gives a strong hint. Please be careful with what you believe and say.

Yes ,nice to your face ,but if its a choice between you or another muslim,don,t turn your back.

 

This might very well be the norm. I don't know any Muslims well. Soon however, I think I will know some quite well because I'll be attending Prince of Songkhla University here in Hat Yai. Lotta Muslims on campus. I doubt I'll get to know them though as you do though. A working environment and a university environment ... world's apart. 

 

 

Seems like some posters here see all Muslims as violent. Surely you don't believe that. I live in Hat Yai and meet the friendliest of people all the time, and many of them are Muslim men and Muslim women. You can easily spot most Muslim women, and many Muslim men have something about their appearance that is either obviously Muslim or gives a strong hint. Please be careful with what you believe and say.

Yes ,nice to your face ,but if its a choice between you or another muslim,don,t turn your back.

 

This might very well be the norm. I don't know any Muslims well. Soon however, I think I will know some quite well because I'll be attending Prince of Songkhla University here in Hat Yai. Lotta Muslims on campus. I doubt I'll get to know them though as you do though. A working environment and a university environment ... world's apart. 

 

 

You are making the classic mistake of lumping all Muslims together.  Many of the Muslims in Hat Yai aren't ethnically Malay and have nothing in common with the separatists other than a shared religion.  At PSU, many of the Muslim students come from Satun, Trang, Krabi etc ...

Edited August 2, 201411 yr by rajyindee

 

This might very well be the norm. I don't know any Muslims well. Soon however, I think I will know some quite well because I'll be attending Prince of Songkhla University here in Hat Yai. Lotta Muslims on campus. I doubt I'll get to know them though as you do though. A working environment and a university environment ... world's apart. 

 

 

 

You are making the classic mistake of lumping all Muslims together.  Many of the Muslims in Hat Yai aren't ethnically Malay and have nothing in common with the separatists other than a shared religion.  At PSU, many of the Muslim students come from Satun, Trang, Krabi etc ...

 

Okay ... I give in ... I don't know. What you say is interesting. I'm gonna make a point of it to get to really know some of them. One of the secretaries at the office of my faculty is a Muslim woman. Very charming young lady. :) But ... okay so I don't know that she won't stab me in the back if the she feels the need! 

 

Another thing, Bender asked why the people perpetrating the violence don't hit Pattaya and Phuket. I asked the same question sometime last year to a Thai friend. He gave an answer similar to BJS' answer. I was told that getting the bombs up north through the checkpoints is the reason. Could be lots of reasons why they're not going farther north than, I think the farthest north they've come is Hat Yai. 

Another thing, Bender asked why the people perpetrating the violence don't hit Pattaya and Phuket. I asked the same question sometime last year to a Thai friend. He gave an answer similar to BJS' answer. I was told that getting the bombs up north through the checkpoints is the reason. 

 

They put a car bomb in Phuket a little over 7 months ago.  Luckily, it didn't go off.  But, as they say, they only have to get lucky once ...

 

Could be lots of reasons why they're not going farther north than, I think the farthest north they've come is Hat Yai. 

 

There have been several bombs in Songkhla City.