Root causes of bitter long-running conflict should not be forgotten

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Root causes of bitter long-running conflict should not be forgotten
The Nation April

BANGKOK: -- Malay Muslims need a sense of ownership in their historical homeland in the far South

Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda seems to have missed the point when it comes to the conflict in the Malay-speaking far South.

In a recent statement, Prem made reference to a Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) survey that blamed insurgency violence on perceived social class divisions.

Misunderstanding and mistrust between the followers of different religions (ie, Malay Muslims and Thai/Chinese Buddhists) should be address urgently, he said.

"There is some misunderstanding about this. We have to understand that there are no social classes or division of classes, Buddhist Thais or Muslim Thais," he said.

The Privy Council chief said the authorities should not allow any misunderstanding to continue among locals.

If the conflict and insurgency in Thailand's Malay-speaking provinces is that simple, where authorities could just snap their fingers and bring back a proper understanding of things, then we wouldn't have this ongoing problem that has no end in sight.

However, could we not do the issue more justice by getting to the historical root cause of the conflict and why Malay Muslims feel they are being treated as second class?

SBPAC secretary-general Panu Uthairat also suggested that such a feeling among the Muslim youths was not genuine and added that the people's mindset and understanding needed to be corrected.

Nowhere in their statements was there any mention of the state being part of the problem, or about the root of the historical mistrust between the Thai state and the Malay minorities.

And if our policymakers and leading public figures continue to believe in their own propaganda - that there is nothing wrong with the state's policy of assimilation for the Malay Muslims in the southernmost provinces - then there isn't much hope in resolving this conflict that looks set to continue to haunt the country for the unforeseeable future.

Prem was speaking at the opening of the 23rd class of a project at the Army Club that tries to familiarise Malay Muslim children with the way of life of the rest of the people in the country.

This year, the project brought 240 children from five southern border provinces - Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Satun - to Bangkok.

It would be interesting to see what kind of impact the visit to Bangkok has had on their lives.

Considering that they live in an environment that embraces a whole different set of cultural and historic narratives, that see the Thai state and society as intruders in their former homeland, it would be interesting to see the reaction to such activities and projects - and if they have a positive impact on their future outlook.

People say the road to peace for the deep South runs through Bangkok. In other words, Thailand's ethno-centric attitude and zero-sum mentality must make way for a different mindset - one that sees the Malay Muslims in the southernmost provinces as people who desire to be respected for who there are, not what the state wants them to be.

There should be no surprise at the outcome of the survey given how the Malay Muslims in this contested region have been treated by the state and its agencies. A vast majority of the bureaucrats are Buddhists in the Muslim-majority South and are from somewhere else.

Taking into consideration the presence of some 60,000 armed officials and the prevailing culture of impunity among security personnel, it is no wonder the Malays feel like colonial subjects in an occupied territory.

Thailand will have to do much more than bringing a handful of Malay Muslim children to Bangkok on a tour for a few days to instil in them a sense of shared destiny with the rest of the Thai people.

If we want future generations to feel like they are not second-class citizens, the state will have to find a way to give the Malays a sense of ownership in their own historical homeland.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Root-causes-of-bitter-long-running-conflict-should-30257916.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-12

[rametindallas]

Considering that they live in an environment that embraces a whole different set of cultural and historic narratives, that see the Thai state and society as intruders in their former homeland, it would be interesting to see the reaction to such activities and projects - and if they have a positive impact on their future outlook.

The separatists are a fairly modern phenomena and what these children are exposed to daily is propaganda as there is no one alive in the south who wasn't born in Thailand. 'former homeland' is pure bullshit. There are millions of people around the world who live in countries now that, at one time, were part of other countries or were different countries altogether. The list is endless and borders have changed all over the world over the last 100 years. More that half the countries in the UN have borders that are different than they were 100 years ago. Using 'former homeland' of more than 100 years ago is a poor excuse for the murder of teachers, rubber tappers and innocent citizens through acts of terrorism. The root cause, IMO, is the rise in Islamic fundamentalism and accompanying desire for a 'Caliphate' and doing it under the guise of reclaiming their 'traditional' homeland even though no one alive remember that 'tradition' because it was more than a 100 years ago. I point the finger of blame at Malaysia. 'Pa' Prem couldn't say that because it is too controversial for someone as high-ranked as him.

List of sovereign states by date of formation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_by_date_of_formation

And this list doesn't include countries whose borders have been changed.

Edited April 12, 2015 by rametindallas

[Bluespunk]

Good article.

There has to be a realisation that, while the terrorists have to be treated as they deserve, the grievences of the people in the south are genuine and have to be addressed.

Those who use violence to achieve them are following the wrong path, but that does not mean the grievances themselves are not real.

They don't justify violence but there has to be solution found to resolve them, one that is acceptable to all concerned.

This is not a religious conflict.

Religion obviously plays a role but it is not the root cause or the only one.

Edited April 12, 2015 by Bluespunk

[Oziex1]

If they were given what they want, would it be what they wanted?

[rametindallas]

If they were given what they want, would it be what they wanted?

Not once has any of the terrorists said what they want except to be an independent country that is neither Thai nor Malay and that's just not going to happen. The Basques in Spain have, after four decades of terrorism, have finally accepted that Spain will never let them be an independent country despite a certain amount of autonomy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETA

[Seastallion]

"Thailand's ethno-centric attitude and zero-sum mentality must make way for a different mindset -"

Applies not only to dealing with the problems in the South.

Good article. I hope it's taken notice of.

[MaxLee]

Root causes of bitter long-running conflict

Thai way or the high way!!!!!......

[Travelman868]

Good article.

There has to be a realisation that, while the terrorists have to be treated as they deserve, the grievences of the people in the south are genuine and have to be addressed.

Those who use violence to achieve them are following the wrong path, but that does not mean the grievances themselves are not real.

They don't justify violence but there has to be solution found to resolve them, one that is acceptable to all concerned.

This is not a religious conflict.

Religion obviously plays a role but it is not the root cause or the only one.

Of course it's a religious conflict AND other than African tribes Islam is the only religion that likes to kill young children. I give you the examples of the 9 year old boy beheaded in Thailand and the 14 year old coffee boy in Syria.

[khunken]

Good article.

There has to be a realisation that, while the terrorists have to be treated as they deserve, the grievences of the people in the south are genuine and have to be addressed.

Those who use violence to achieve them are following the wrong path, but that does not mean the grievances themselves are not real.

They don't justify violence but there has to be solution found to resolve them, one that is acceptable to all concerned.

This is not a religious conflict.

Religion obviously plays a role but it is not the root cause or the only one.

Of course it's a religious conflict AND other than African tribes Islam is the only religion that likes to kill young children. I give you the examples of the 9 year old boy beheaded in Thailand and the 14 year old coffee boy in Syria.

Complete ignorant rubbish.

No religion 'likes' to kill anyone. Yes, some people who have a distorted view of their religion do perform atrocities as do armies & militias, not only in Thailand.

Bluespunk is right - the south problem is not a religious problem. IMO it is an ethnic problem & a rule-from-Bangkok problem.

There is no evidence either that the ethnic Malays want to be a part of Malaysia or even form a separate state. Indeed Malaysia has no interest in re-acquiring Pattani.

What has never been offered from Bangkok is any form of real autonomy - like Bangkok itself. Government after government has only implemented various degrees of oppressive rule together with a number of atrocities that only triggers more support for the men of violence who carry out their own atrocities.

The article is mostly correct.

[Bluespunk]

Good article.

There has to be a realisation that, while the terrorists have to be treated as they deserve, the grievences of the people in the south are genuine and have to be addressed.

Those who use violence to achieve them are following the wrong path, but that does not mean the grievances themselves are not real.

They don't justify violence but there has to be solution found to resolve them, one that is acceptable to all concerned.

This is not a religious conflict.

Religion obviously plays a role but it is not the root cause or the only one.

Of course it's a religious conflict AND other than African tribes Islam is the only religion that likes to kill young children. I give you the examples of the 9 year old boy beheaded in Thailand and the 14 year old coffee boy in Syria.

Nonsense.

The conflict is not religious, though religion is an aspect of it.

[Sealbash]

Root causes of bitter long-running conflict

Thai way or the high way!!!!!......

Brilliant observation. What country do you think they are in? Give in to this, and it will lead to more demands. Do you also condemn Syria for fighting ISIS?

[talisman01]

The problems in the far south have a long history. An ancestor of mine spent some years as a mining engineer in the border region between Malaya and Siam, as they were then. In one of many letters he sent home in 1925 he described the then on-going conflict between the "fanatical" Muslims and Buddhists pointing out that the majority of locals "have little or no religion" and that "any attempt to alter a man's religion has one of two effects, either to harden his original belief or to render him agnostic in his outlook".

[lemonjelly]

BKK isn't going to grant autonomy..ever... and alot of the funding and co-ordination for the RKK is coming from Kelantan . Certain aspects such as control of oil smuggling revenues etc, in my opinion, are being hidden behind the curtains of 'fighting for an islamic caliphate'.

[Alwyn]

Considering that they live in an environment that embraces a whole different set of cultural and historic narratives, that see the Thai state and society as intruders in their former homeland, it would be interesting to see the reaction to such activities and projects - and if they have a positive impact on their future outlook.

The separatists are a fairly modern phenomena and what these children are exposed to daily is propaganda as there is no one alive in the south who wasn't born in Thailand. 'former homeland' is pure bullshit. There are millions of people around the world who live in countries now that, at one time, were part of other countries or were different countries altogether. The list is endless and borders have changed all over the world over the last 100 years. More that half the countries in the UN have borders that are different than they were 100 years ago. Using 'former homeland' of more than 100 years ago is a poor excuse for the murder of teachers, rubber tappers and innocent citizens through acts of terrorism. The root cause, IMO, is the rise in Islamic fundamentalism and accompanying desire for a 'Caliphate' and doing it under the guise of reclaiming their 'traditional' homeland even though no one alive remember that 'tradition' because it was more than a 100 years ago. I point the finger of blame at Malaysia. 'Pa' Prem couldn't say that because it is too controversial for someone as high-ranked as him.

List of sovereign states by date of formation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_by_date_of_formation

And this list doesn't include countries whose borders have been changed.

Bit like Gaza and their ridonklious claims

[ggt]

I wonder if the Thais look at the Malay as foreigners...kinda like farang...only they have little money to endear themselves to the locals...

[rametindallas]

Considering that they live in an environment that embraces a whole different set of cultural and historic narratives, that see the Thai state and society as intruders in their former homeland, it would be interesting to see the reaction to such activities and projects - and if they have a positive impact on their future outlook.

The separatists are a fairly modern phenomena and what these children are exposed to daily is propaganda as there is no one alive in the south who wasn't born in Thailand. 'former homeland' is pure bullshit. There are millions of people around the world who live in countries now that, at one time, were part of other countries or were different countries altogether. The list is endless and borders have changed all over the world over the last 100 years. More that half the countries in the UN have borders that are different than they were 100 years ago. Using 'former homeland' of more than 100 years ago is a poor excuse for the murder of teachers, rubber tappers and innocent citizens through acts of terrorism. The root cause, IMO, is the rise in Islamic fundamentalism and accompanying desire for a 'Caliphate' and doing it under the guise of reclaiming their 'traditional' homeland even though no one alive remember that 'tradition' because it was more than a 100 years ago. I point the finger of blame at Malaysia. 'Pa' Prem couldn't say that because it is too controversial for someone as high-ranked as him.

List of sovereign states by date of formation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_by_date_of_formation

And this list doesn't include countries whose borders have been changed.

Bit like Gaza and their ridonklious claims

AFIK, Gaza is autonomous.

[waxon]

These discussions seem to infer that there is a widespread noble desire among the southern Muslims to want self-rule. Perhaps that is true. I suspect that lack of education, no future possibilities to better their lives, a certain degree of compliancy that allows religious and other leaders to promote their own agendas with tacit or open support and a general lack of understanding what is really taking place That contribute to the situation.

Thai military and other security forces only reinforce the already poor opinion locals have of Bangkok rule. They live in a police state. How can that lead to a better more prosperous life?

Most people in the south probably only want the situation resolved. It is the group (on both sides) that stand to profit (financially, politically, status, etc) that keep the situation in disruption. At least until they get what they want. It is not about the "people". I also suspect there are a group doing quite well financially with the current strife. Why would they want to change?

[EnglishJohn]

Good article.

There has to be a realisation that, while the terrorists have to be treated as they deserve, the grievences of the people in the south are genuine and have to be addressed.

Those who use violence to achieve them are following the wrong path, but that does not mean the grievances themselves are not real.

They don't justify violence but there has to be solution found to resolve them, one that is acceptable to all concerned.

This is not a religious conflict.

Religion obviously plays a role but it is not the root cause or the only one.

Of course it's a religious conflict AND other than African tribes Islam is the only religion that likes to kill young children. I give you the examples of the 9 year old boy beheaded in Thailand and the 14 year old coffee boy in Syria.

Complete ignorant rubbish.

No religion 'likes' to kill anyone. Yes, some people who have a distorted view of their religion do perform atrocities as do armies & militias, not only in Thailand.

Bluespunk is right - the south problem is not a religious problem. IMO it is an ethnic problem & a rule-from-Bangkok problem.

There is no evidence either that the ethnic Malays want to be a part of Malaysia or even form a separate state. Indeed Malaysia has no interest in re-acquiring Pattani.

What has never been offered from Bangkok is any form of real autonomy - like Bangkok itself. Government after government has only implemented various degrees of oppressive rule together with a number of atrocities that only triggers more support for the men of violence who carry out their own atrocities.

The article is mostly correct.

"Yes, some people who have a distorted view of their religion do perform atrocities as do armies & militias, not only in Thailand."

What a disgusting statement. Clearly intended to imply the acts of muslim terrorists and rogue elements in Armies are equivalent.

They are NOTHING alike. Muslims do it in the name of religion and are murdering men, women and children in their thousands in the most barbaric manner. What is far, far worse is that their actions are directed and approved by their leaders.

Armies have aggressive, low-IQ males on the front line who see things they should never have to. Some are rogue of course, but their actions are not condoned by their society.

I wish someone would take people like you into the real world and make you stand and watch as those innocents have their heads carved off while they are fully conscious. You will be happy to stand with the Army after that. Maybe then you will realise this American TV fairy tale where 'nothing is anyone's fault : someone else failed them' attitude is BS.

If these conflict are not religious, don't you think it a bit odd that they are all Muslims killing others who are not the same 'brand' of faith as them ?.

Of course it's religious. There may be other factors, but at it's root it's religious.