Army welcomes exiled separatists to Thailand for Ramadan, promises no arrests

[webfact]

Army Welcomes Exiled Separatists to Thailand for Ramadan, Promises No Arrests
By Khaosod English

NARATHIWAT — The Thai army says it will allow members of the southern separatist movement currently living in Malaysian to visit Thailand during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

"The army will permit dissidents who have gone to live in Malaysia to visit their home country and practice religious activities," said Col. Somdej Yotha, commander of the 151st Infantry Regiment. "The army will not arrest these individuals. We will also issue certificates to guarantee their travel."

He added, "The army will guarantee their safety to display our sincerity to solve the problem."

Ramadan is expected to begin on 17 June, depending on the observation of the moon by Islamic religious authorities.

"The Fourth Region Army has already sent written notifications to all relevant agencies," Col. Somdej explained. "Every agency agreed to the order and promised to accommodate any dissidents, including those who have been issued arrest warrants, to enter the Kingdom during that time [Ramadan]."

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1432634225

-- Khaosod English 2015-05-26

[JOC]

Reminds me of Saddam Hussein's son-in-laws, who had taken refuge in Jordan after fallen out with the big man.

"Come home boys, I forgive you"

Two days later, they were executed...................

[Strangebrew]

Oh boy Rub dub coming Any one for pork chops?

[Srikcir]

We will also issue certificates to guarantee their travel.

These certificates will be the most counterfeited documents in Thai history. The Thai military will wonder how they ever issued 4 million certs when the whole Souther Malay-Thai population is 4 million.

[tbthailand]

Army Welcomes Exiled Separatists to Thailand for Ramadan, Promises No Arrests

if you take a step back and look at it, isn't this one of the most bizarre (and telling) headlines you've read in a while?

[Somtamnication]

...said the fox to the chickens......

[BSJ]

It a ridiculous idea! Unless they intent to grab them and execute them.

[metisdead]

A post of a slanderous nature has been removed.

[Bluespunk]

"The army will not arrest these individuals. We will also issue certificates to guarantee their travel."

Honest guv, no worries, no problems if you drop by.

[NongKhaiKid]

"The army will not arrest these individuals. We will also issue certificates to guarantee their travel."

Honest guv, no worries, no problems if you drop by.

Is this one of those stings where wanted people are invited to turn up and collect something they've won ?

No, there would be a prior announcement advertising the plan !

[Bluespunk]

It a ridiculous idea! Unless they intent to grab them and execute them.

It's not ridiculous at all if it is seen as part if the peace process. A first step at reconciliation.

Not sure executing anyone would help anybody except those opposed to a peaceful resolution on both sides.

[jaidam]

How about a free kilo of gift-wrapped C4 each if they behave themselves during their stay? That would be lovely. It's nice to see these brutal terrorists being mollycoddled by the army. Off out now to chase butterflys and rainbows around the garden.

[FangFerang]

Insanity prevails when good men stop thinking.

Calamity prevails when the good men never thought at all.....

[simple1]

It a ridiculous idea! Unless they intent to grab them and execute them.

It's not ridiculous at all if it is seen as part if the peace process. A first step at reconciliation.

Not sure executing anyone would help anybody except those opposed to a peaceful resolution on both sides.

Remember when previously a meeting was facilitated in Malaysia & they handed over a leader/s of the insurgency to the Thais who were subsequently disappeared? Led to an upsurge in killings

[JOC]

It a ridiculous idea! Unless they intent to grab them and execute them.

It's not ridiculous at all if it is seen as part if the peace process. A first step at reconciliation.

Not sure executing anyone would help anybody except those opposed to a peaceful resolution on both sides.

Not so sure that the families of the 7000 people killed by the terrorists will agree with you..............

[halloween]

It's a"hearts and minds" campaign tactic. Misguided? Dunno.

[halloween]

Perhaps the idea is to track them and identify close family members. Next time the terrorist gets active, pass the word that we know where your family lives, and you are putting them at risk of retaliatory action. Whether that would work with those who believe paradise waits those who die in the struggle is another matter.

[billd766]

It a ridiculous idea! Unless they intent to grab them and execute them.

It's not ridiculous at all if it is seen as part if the peace process. A first step at reconciliation.

Not sure executing anyone would help anybody except those opposed to a peaceful resolution on both sides.

Remember when previously a meeting was facilitated in Malaysia & they handed over a leader/s of the insurgency to the Thais who were subsequently disappeared? Led to an upsurge in killings

I don't remember that at all.

Do you have any links to the event at all?

[Bluespunk]

It a ridiculous idea! Unless they intent to grab them and execute them.

It's not ridiculous at all if it is seen as part if the peace process. A first step at reconciliation.

Not sure executing anyone would help anybody except those opposed to a peaceful resolution on both sides.

Not so sure that the families of the 7000 people killed by the terrorists will agree with you..............

Never said I agreed with it.

Both sides are responsible for terrible actions that will be hard to forgive.

However what's the alternative if neither side can find a solution through violence?

Let more people die?

There has to be a settlement and that means first steps need to be taken or the violence will never cease.

[Thai at Heart]

I can't understand on what legal basis they can offer this amnesty.?

[simple1]

It a ridiculous idea! Unless they intent to grab them and execute them.

It's not ridiculous at all if it is seen as part if the peace process. A first step at reconciliation.

Not sure executing anyone would help anybody except those opposed to a peaceful resolution on both sides.

Remember when previously a meeting was facilitated in Malaysia & they handed over a leader/s of the insurgency to the Thais who were subsequently disappeared? Led to an upsurge in killings

I don't remember that at all.

Do you have any links to the event at all?

Sorry cannot immediate relocate, from memory in the late 1990s, but an example of Malaysia handing over insurgent leaders (they were jailed, not disappeared) to Thai authorities is on page 420 at the URL below. It's an interesting document covering insurgency attacks and failures of Thai government policies, that are eerily similar to what's going on right now.

http://www.academia.edu/2255983/The_Insurgency_in_the_Malay-Muslim_South_of_Thailand._News_Clippings_Volume_4_

EDIT: Way back in the late 40s/early 50s was another incident of insurgency leader (and son?) handed over to the Thais by Malaysia who was subsequently found dead in Songkhla.

[deckape]

Maybe the exiled separatists do not need the Army's help to return.

[tbthailand]

easy to see why the army has had such great success in the south for the last 10+ years....

[simple1]

I can't understand on what legal basis they can offer this amnesty.?

Executive decision outside of formal peace negotiations process; doesn't require legislation.

[wabothai]

I can't understand on what legal basis they can offer this amnesty.?

Don't need a legal basis, they are above the law.

[Thai at Heart]

I can't understand on what legal basis they can offer this amnesty.?

Executive decision outside of formal peace negotiations process; doesn't require legislation.

These people presumably have legal judgements against them. Who can just void these?

[billd766]

Remember when previously a meeting was facilitated in Malaysia & they handed over a leader/s of the insurgency to the Thais who were subsequently disappeared? Led to an upsurge in killings

I don't remember that at all.

Do you have any links to the event at all?

Sorry cannot immediate relocate, from memory in the late 1990s, but an example of Malaysia handing over insurgent leaders (they were jailed, not disappeared) to Thai authorities is on page 420 at the URL below. It's an interesting document covering insurgency attacks and failures of Thai government policies, that are eerily similar to what's going on right now.

http://www.academia.edu/2255983/The_Insurgency_in_the_Malay-Muslim_South_of_Thailand._News_Clippings_Volume_4_

EDIT: Way back in the late 40s/early 50s was another incident of insurgency leader (and son?) handed over to the Thais by Malaysia who was subsequently found dead in Songkhla.

Thank you for the link and the page number. It seems that the three insurgent leaders were from PULO which while it is still around doesn't seem to represent any of the current factions involved in the South any more.