Violence in Southern Thailand
I am not sure how much information about the violence in Southern Thailand is reaching the western media. I suspect at least some, but knowing the Denver Post and even the New York Times, the information is probably a bit thin. Recently there has been dramatically escalating violence in the south. The south borders on Malaysia and is largely Muslim. The vast majority of the six million or so Thai Muslims live in the south. There has historically been a disconnect between the southern provinces and the capitol. The southernmost part of Thailand was not integrated fully into Thailand until the 20th century. It's arguable how much a part of Thailand they really feel themselves to be. Clearly part of this disconnect has to do with the south being Muslim and the rest of Thailand being primarily Buddhist.
Although the King has never been to the southern provinces, the Queen has spent the past two months there. She has initiated a number of ventures there including a project for 'relief for the victims of violence' and training of village defense volunteers. She was originally set to only stay for one month, but extended her stay an extra month due to the escalating violence. Clearly there is concern.
Over the past year or so, there have been more and more clashes between police and Muslims in the south. Some of the police action has been undisputably justified. Like much of the rest of the world, the small but growing group of fundamentalists ala Osama, have begun to stir things up. In one incident a large cache of police weapons was stolen. Killings attributable to fundamentalist/separatists have been occurring with increasing regularity. So far, the violence has mainly been directed against police and local government officials. Despite this, in my opinion. for a farang, travel in the southernmost regions is not currently the best idea. Even resort areas like Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui (which although in the south are not in the deep south) are seeing reduced bookings as a result of increasing tensions.
The most recent violence occurred as a result of six defense personnel voluntarily giving up their weapons to separatists. The six had been arrested and were being held in a prison at Tak Bai. A large demonstration was mobilized. The police reacted with tear gas, water cannons and shots fired in the air. That's according to official reports. Being questioned is whether or not the live ammunition shots were fired into the air or into the crowd. The crowd eventually was dispersed but almost 1300 protesters were taken into custody. They were tied together with hands behind their backs and loaded into transport to be detained in Pattani. Initially it was reported that 6 or 7 of the protesters had died. A day later the death toll was reported to be 78. The government alleges that most of those died as a result of being weak from Ramadan fasting, being in the sun for hours and the exertion of protesting.
In what was almost a footnote, mention was made of 22 "unidentified" protesters who were killed and buried in a mass grave. Many question how they would be unidentified? Why were they buried in a mass grave. There has not been much mention of this in the news, but I expect in the next few days more information will come to light.
The Muslim community as a whole is outraged. The outrage extends far beyond the borders of Thailand. They feel that the protesters were forced into the trucks and suffocated. Too many people were put in each truck and with their hands tied behind them they could not move. There have been many instances in the past few years where police have been accused of overreacting. At least some of the time from what I can tell, the charges are valid. This on the surface at least appears to be one of them.
Now, the controversy rages. Thaksin will not resign. He has appointed a commission to look into the incident which includes Muslim representation. He has offered financial reparation to the families of those killed including the financing of the pilgrimages to Mecca. He has 'asked for' the resignation of the General in charge of security in the south. No doubt heads will roll. But will it be enough?
As to the most recent spate of violence, in a very rare television address carried on ALL Thai channels, Prime Minister Thaksin asked all Thai people for patience. He stopped short of a direct apology to the families. What should he do? There are many opinions. I just don't have enough information to presume to suggest a course of action. He is between the proverbial rock and hard place. If he is too soft, the fundamentalists and separatists will continue to agitate, take weapons and mobilize. If he is seen as standing firm, he continues to polarize the Muslim population in general. Gosh! Where have we heard this before????????
In related news, the Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO) has threatened Bangkok:
"Their Phra Nakhon (capitol) will be burned to the ground like the capitol of Pattani."
Additionally suicide squads are allegedly being recruited to kill government officials and sabotage government buildings. Unsettling news for any and all Ex-pats and farang visitors. Needless to say, this visitor will watch developments closely. At this point I really don't feel any danger and it seems that so far at least most of the threats are directed against the government. More from me on this situation as things develop.
On a less serious note, below see the pictures of the King of Fruits. I finally decided to try Durian. I was led to believe that the smell was sooo terrible that it would make my whole apartment smell awful for days. In reality, the odor is not that bad and if you can get past the odor, it actually tastes fairly good. An acquired taste I think and not one that I will easily acquire.
All for today! As always questions or comments to andym528@hotmail.com
Although the King has never been to the southern provinces, the Queen has spent the past two months there. She has initiated a number of ventures there including a project for 'relief for the victims of violence' and training of village defense volunteers. She was originally set to only stay for one month, but extended her stay an extra month due to the escalating violence. Clearly there is concern.
Over the past year or so, there have been more and more clashes between police and Muslims in the south. Some of the police action has been undisputably justified. Like much of the rest of the world, the small but growing group of fundamentalists ala Osama, have begun to stir things up. In one incident a large cache of police weapons was stolen. Killings attributable to fundamentalist/separatists have been occurring with increasing regularity. So far, the violence has mainly been directed against police and local government officials. Despite this, in my opinion. for a farang, travel in the southernmost regions is not currently the best idea. Even resort areas like Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui (which although in the south are not in the deep south) are seeing reduced bookings as a result of increasing tensions.
The most recent violence occurred as a result of six defense personnel voluntarily giving up their weapons to separatists. The six had been arrested and were being held in a prison at Tak Bai. A large demonstration was mobilized. The police reacted with tear gas, water cannons and shots fired in the air. That's according to official reports. Being questioned is whether or not the live ammunition shots were fired into the air or into the crowd. The crowd eventually was dispersed but almost 1300 protesters were taken into custody. They were tied together with hands behind their backs and loaded into transport to be detained in Pattani. Initially it was reported that 6 or 7 of the protesters had died. A day later the death toll was reported to be 78. The government alleges that most of those died as a result of being weak from Ramadan fasting, being in the sun for hours and the exertion of protesting.
In what was almost a footnote, mention was made of 22 "unidentified" protesters who were killed and buried in a mass grave. Many question how they would be unidentified? Why were they buried in a mass grave. There has not been much mention of this in the news, but I expect in the next few days more information will come to light.
The Muslim community as a whole is outraged. The outrage extends far beyond the borders of Thailand. They feel that the protesters were forced into the trucks and suffocated. Too many people were put in each truck and with their hands tied behind them they could not move. There have been many instances in the past few years where police have been accused of overreacting. At least some of the time from what I can tell, the charges are valid. This on the surface at least appears to be one of them.
Now, the controversy rages. Thaksin will not resign. He has appointed a commission to look into the incident which includes Muslim representation. He has offered financial reparation to the families of those killed including the financing of the pilgrimages to Mecca. He has 'asked for' the resignation of the General in charge of security in the south. No doubt heads will roll. But will it be enough?
As to the most recent spate of violence, in a very rare television address carried on ALL Thai channels, Prime Minister Thaksin asked all Thai people for patience. He stopped short of a direct apology to the families. What should he do? There are many opinions. I just don't have enough information to presume to suggest a course of action. He is between the proverbial rock and hard place. If he is too soft, the fundamentalists and separatists will continue to agitate, take weapons and mobilize. If he is seen as standing firm, he continues to polarize the Muslim population in general. Gosh! Where have we heard this before????????
In related news, the Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO) has threatened Bangkok:
"Their Phra Nakhon (capitol) will be burned to the ground like the capitol of Pattani."
Additionally suicide squads are allegedly being recruited to kill government officials and sabotage government buildings. Unsettling news for any and all Ex-pats and farang visitors. Needless to say, this visitor will watch developments closely. At this point I really don't feel any danger and it seems that so far at least most of the threats are directed against the government. More from me on this situation as things develop.
On a less serious note, below see the pictures of the King of Fruits. I finally decided to try Durian. I was led to believe that the smell was sooo terrible that it would make my whole apartment smell awful for days. In reality, the odor is not that bad and if you can get past the odor, it actually tastes fairly good. An acquired taste I think and not one that I will easily acquire.
All for today! As always questions or comments to andym528@hotmail.com
