EDITORIAL
Good Muslims, bad Muslims and the lies the govt tells you
The Nation

State misinformation about the southern insurgency has fostered an undercurrent of religious bigotry across the country

BANGKOK: -- The dispute over the planned construction of a mosque in the northern province of Nan has reached an unprecedented level. But the anger being voiced by a growing number of Buddhists there is fuelled by falsehood.

Many have cited the insurgency in the Malay-speaking, Muslim-majority South as the reason they don't want a mosque in town. More than 6,000 people in the southernmost provinces have died since violence erupted in January 2004.

There is general agreement among academics, researchers and historians that the conflict in the far South stems from Thailand's policy of forced assimilation at the expense of the separate cultural and religious identity of the Patani Malays.

When the region came under Bangkok's direct rule at the beginning of the 20th century, its Muslims did not challenge Siam's sovereignty. The rebellion only came into play in the 1960s, when heavy-handed rule triggered an armed insurgency.

When the fighting died down in the late 1980s and early '90s, there was an assumption that it had gone for good. But the absence of violence did not equate to peace.

With the Patani historical narrative still alive, it was only a matter of time before a new generation of Malay Muslims resurfaced to take up arms against the state. When it did, Bangkok was quick to dismiss the insurgency as the work of misguided, drug-crazed youths who had embraced a distorted brand of Islam. Placing the blame on religious fanatics offered a convenient way of hiding the truth: Their policy of assimilation had failed.

Though shallow and misleading, this official state line has been accepted by Thais almost without challenge. Many citizens, perhaps, thought it would be unpatriotic to question it.

Inevitably, the decision to play the religious card in the South has come back to haunt the state.

The anti-Muslim sentiment of protesters in Nan is just the latest example. Elsewhere, monks are demanding that Buddhism be recognised as the state religion. Both these groups have cited the conflict in the South to support their arguments.

Never mind that Thai Muslims outside the deep South are just as patriotic as their Buddhist neighbours and accept the legitimacy of the state. Never mind that the conflict in the Muslim-majority South is ethno-nationalist in nature and has nothing to do with Muslims in the rest of the country.

Instead, people find it easier to accept the official explanation at face value, because it avoids questioning a past failed policy. When the majority in the country shares this same attitude towards the conflict in the South, people don't mind being seen as bigots.

Who cares if scores of Malay Muslims suffocate to death in the back of military transport trucks, or if an imam in Narathiwat, Yapa Kaseng, is beaten to death in front of his son? And so what if no Thai security official has ever been punished for crimes like these?

Such popular sentiments are evidence the state has been successful in burying the Malay Muslims' historical grievances beneath a "good khaek versus bad khaek" narrative.

Bangkok let the genie of religious bigotry out of the bottle. Now authorities in Nan are having trouble convincing Buddhist protesters that their Muslim neighbours are the "good khaek" and should be left alone.

They should know that the anti-Muslim mindset is a product of their government's doing. But they should also know that it's never too late to tell the truth and set the record straight.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Good-Muslims-bad-Muslims-and-the-lies-the-govt-tel-30255403.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-06

Thais have always been bigots. Nothing can change that. Us farangs we live with it, deal with it and come home to our families.

You would think by reading this article that the only problem people have had with Muslims is the southern insurgency.

Not that that isn't enough to cause concern.

Their mooslum first Thai second. They only want their own religion and Sharia law. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

This thesis is a mostly shortsighted one, who are the people behind arming and funding the insurgents?

millions of dollars in funding support and armament is being poured in to this conflict...

where is the money comes from? surly not from the poor southern people.....

who's keeps pushing for the carnage to continue even though thousands have died and no gains

have been achieved yet? there is a Muslim country or countries that are financing and supporting

this 'uprising' to continue, a country or a power that nor Malaysia or Thailand are in no position

to challenge and call them out...

I am a bigot; no denial.

Great article.

This article reminds me that this is the happiest country in the world.

Myself I guess I'm a bigot with a twist I hate all equally who try to force there beliefs down my throat.

Hardly surprising when accepting without challenge summarizes the education system in Thailand -

"Though shallow and misleading, this official state line has been accepted by Thais almost without challenge. Many citizens, perhaps, thought it would be unpatriotic to question it."

This thesis is a mostly shortsighted one, who are the people behind arming and funding the insurgents?

millions of dollars in funding support and armament is being poured in to this conflict...

where is the money comes from? surly not from the poor southern people.....

who's keeps pushing for the carnage to continue even though thousands have died and no gains

have been achieved yet? there is a Muslim country or countries that are financing and supporting

this 'uprising' to continue, a country or a power that nor Malaysia or Thailand are in no position

to challenge and call them out...

Various security analyists have claimed very little evidence of funding being received from M.E. sources to support terrorism in the deep South. As some would know the Islamic cultural practice of supporting charities via donations at mosques can be subject to skimming for funding terrorism, but have yet to read any reference to this issue in Thailand.

There have been a number of reports that most of the funding has been generated by the collusion between criminal gangs and the insurgency movements in activities such as protection rackets, drugs and oil smuggling. There have been reports of activities to support crime in the deep South, that funds the conflict, being enabled by of some in the Thai security forces, as evidenced by the recent arrests of senior members of the RTP. As the cliche says "follow the money"

Their mooslum first Thai second. They only want their own religion and Sharia law. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

You are suggesting all Thai Muslims follow the same script, that is most definately not the case. In addition, similar to the practice of Buddhism in Thailand, many beliefs / practices by Thai Muslims are heavily influenced by Thai cultural beliefs that are not integal to Islam.

Sharia Civil Law has been legally in place in Muslim majority provinces since 1948, as are Islamic Courts, though not supporting Sharia Criminal Law. I suggest very few Thai Muslims would support the introduction of Sharia Criminal Law.

BTW regarding the governance of Islam in Thailand, some may like to review the Islamic Organ Administration Act.

http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw17513.pdf

Edited March 6, 201511 yr by simple1

Their mooslum first Thai second. They only want their own religion and Sharia law. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Can you cite any instance where the people in the Deep South have called for the enactment of Sharia? And they're Muslim, not your odd spelling.

Re: post 12. The separate legal system in the Deep South only concerns itself with inheritance and other family issues TTBOMK

Edited March 6, 201511 yr by jdinasia

Their mooslum first Thai second. They only want their own religion and Sharia law. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I'm telling you otherwise.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Great article.

Not really. There is no mention of the much wider very alive international picture.

The writer needs to be much more inclusive of the whole global scenario, as it is his/her piece is quite lacking in balance and misleading.

First a little tiny mosque....next they'll demand that sharia law be implemented.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

You would think by reading this article that the only problem people have had with Muslims is the southern insurgency.

Not that that isn't enough to cause concern.

The actions and words of the radicals are negatively swaying the thoughts of many non-muslims.

How sad. IMHO the mainstream Muslim people, worldwide (who are decent, fair and pleasant people) urgently

need to decry the radical members of their faith.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Great article.

Not really. There is no mention of the much wider very alive international picture.

The writer needs to be much more inclusive of the whole global scenario, as it is his/her piece is quite lacking in balance and misleading.

No. Quite the opposite.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Great article.

Not really. There is no mention of the much wider very alive international picture.

The writer needs to be much more inclusive of the whole global scenario, as it is his/her piece is quite lacking in balance and misleading.

Scorecard :

You know that I often agree with you, and respect your options when we disagree.

I disagree here. From what I understand -having friends working directly with the issues in the Deep South, things should be changing considerably as more focus is placed on tearing down the illegal business groups in the region.

Or.... maybe unlike the author of this article, most thais know what they are dealing with. After all other religions get such fair treatment in Islamic dominant countries . Or..... maybe they are just concerned what happens as islam spreads (like Nigeria, Libya, Sudan, Mindanao Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Any middle eastern country) . Or..... maybe a few thais have even read the Qaran and know how xenophobic and against 21st century values it really is (over 117 verses extolling jihad and violence against non muslims, instructions on how to beat your woman, instructions on the value of human slaves etc..) . Not sure? any ideas?

First a little tiny mosque....next they'll demand that sharia law be implemented.

Not sure about that, there has been a thriving community on Petchaburi road in Bangkok for a long time, some of the most community spirited and patriotic Thais I have met.

This specific religion is a problem everywhere they are. Just call me a bigot or racist, I just dont like them

The muslims want their own caliphate, leading to a world under Islam.

It is the biggest threat on the globe.

They already number around 20% of global population, and aim to increase that to 25% this decade.

Muslims do not integrate with the rest of us, they maintain separation through dress, and extremely strong unquestioning believe in the quoran and its interpretation by religious leaders.

It has a particular appeal to the poor and uneducated, and strives to maintain this through not educating the women and allowing the men to treat their women as chattels.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

You would think by reading this article that the only problem people have had with Muslims is the southern insurgency.

Not that that isn't enough to cause concern.

The actions and words of the radicals are negatively swaying the thoughts of many non-muslims.

How sad. IMHO the mainstream Muslim people, worldwide (who are decent, fair and pleasant people) urgently

need to decry the radical members of their faith.

I'm listening.......hear nothing. Infact the whole civilized World is waiting and waiting and waiting.... Must mean they support it.

The muslims want their own caliphate, leading to a world under Islam.

It is the biggest threat on the globe.

They already number around 20% of global population, and aim to increase that to 25% this decade.

Muslims do not integrate with the rest of us, they maintain separation through dress, and extremely strong unquestioning believe in the quoran and its interpretation by religious leaders.

It has a particular appeal to the poor and uneducated, and strives to maintain this through not educating the women and allowing the men to treat their women as chattels.

Nonsense.

This is a nice article. I live together with Muslim all my live and I can say I have more Muslim friends then any other religion and I know a lot of Muslim from the south of Thailand. Just keep in mind that not all Muslim are like the crazy IS that declares war on other religions. The leader of IS is just a minority of people that misused the Islam for their own crazy benefit. If we really understand the Muslim bible/Quran, there is no teachings that teach Muslim to kill or behead people or to force anyone to believe in Islam. Even a lot of Muslim is getting angry about what the minority is doing on the name of Islam. What is happening in Nan(by the Buddhist) is just the same of what is happening in the deep south. If the government cannot settle a small situation in Nan, then IMO the government will not be able to settle the problem in the deep south. For me any people/religion that declare war/killing is only for their own benefits and have nothing to do with the real teachings of their religion. BTW I am not a muslim, I am a Buddhist.

I am surprise that this problem were not blamed on Jews or Israel

Edited March 6, 201511 yr by harryfrompattaya

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

You would think by reading this article that the only problem people have had with Muslims is the southern insurgency.

Not that that isn't enough to cause concern.

The actions and words of the radicals are negatively swaying the thoughts of many non-muslims.

How sad. IMHO the mainstream Muslim people, worldwide (who are decent, fair and pleasant people) urgently

need to decry the radical members of their faith.

I'm listening.......hear nothing. Infact the whole civilized World is waiting and waiting and waiting.... Must mean they support it.

Then you mustn't be listening very well. Centres of Islamic learning, religious scholars, community and national leaders have all condemned terror in the name of god.

http://www.romereports.com/pg157779-world-s-top-muslim-leaders-condemn-attacks-on-iraqi-christians-en

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6429710

Edited March 6, 201511 yr by Bluespunk

The muslims want their own caliphate, leading to a world under Islam.

It is the biggest threat on the globe.

They already number around 20% of global population, and aim to increase that to 25% this decade.

Muslims do not integrate with the rest of us, they maintain separation through dress, and extremely strong unquestioning believe in the quoran and its interpretation by religious leaders.

It has a particular appeal to the poor and uneducated, and strives to maintain this through not educating the women and allowing the men to treat their women as chattels.

Strange, education is mandatory in Thailand for both men and women. The Muslims I know worldwide mostly assimilate quite well.

Just keep in mind that not all Muslim are like the crazy IS that declares war on other religions

Means nothing

Not all Germans or Japanese are crazy like the ones that declare war on other nations but there was enough that clause 100 million to die

We have to worry about only about the crazy ones