For lasting peace, Pulo must be tackled at the root

PATANI DARUSSALAM : Nov, 8 - Baan Muang Editorial _ Without a clear understanding of the real issues affecting the Muslim-dominated deep South, the government will not be able to end the ongoing violence in the troubled region. At the heart of the crisis is the Patani United Liberation Organisation, or Pulo, which has been trying to foment hatred of the government among the Malay Muslim people in Jala, Patani and Menara.

The separatist movement has tried every possible way to prevent the government from carrying out development projects in the region.

It has also discouraged the Malay Muslims there from learning and speaking Thai.

Some people in charge of creating reconciliation support the Pulo's persistent claim that police and military personnel are mistreating the local people. Because of the mistreatment, they claim, there are acts of terror against the government.

Their claim does not hold water. The fact is that Pulo-backed separatist insurgents have been attacking government officials for a long time. These actions are tantamount to sedition.

The interim government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, and coup leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, are now trying to restore peace in the region. They should listen to southern people who have been living with the problem for a long time. These people know that the crisis will be solved once and for all if people in the three southernmost provinces accept wholeheartedly that they are Thai who live on Thai soil.

Religion, they say, is not the cause of the problem.

It is the Pulo which has been trying to link the crisis to religious issues and alleged abuse of power by government officials. PINA

The root of the ''problem'' down South?

PATANI DARUSSALAM: Nov, 9 - Thailand annexed an independent sultanate, Patani, in the early 1900s. The population is Malay, they speak Malayu, they are Muslims and feel they are occupied by a foreign nation. They feel like second-class citizens in their own country, they do not get any jobs in the local administration, they are forced to learn Thai, etc, etc.

There are a few alternatives on how to deal with the ''problem''. One is to give them outright independence. This is unlikely, with all the resources in the area. The other option is to close the region to internet, travel, mobile phone system and impose Burma-style control, as Thaksin tried. This is also unlikely, as it would only prolong the insurgency.

Third, the most realistic alternative, is to give the people a degree of autonomous self-governance and the right to keep the bulk of revenues from oil. Look how the problem of Aceh was solved, and so far it seems to be working.

To solve this issue would be the biggest contribution to the long-lasting development of Thailand, but who will be the one with the guts to even mention it ? No Thais I know were ever told the real historic background of the issue in school. Just like in Japan, the schools do not teach certain historic mistakes, so it might be difficult to get any degree of public understanding and support unless history is told like it happened.

BO KARLSSON Sweden No doctor at airport I have just spent the last two weeks in Thailand and have been reading your newspaper daily. I've followed the letters about the new airport and absolutely agree that there are some things that need fixing.

I was at Suvarnabhumi, on my way back to Germany from Krabi. I was feeling bad due to an ear infection (as I found out later), and desperately needed medical assistance. I could not find any hint or sign. I finally asked at an information desk which turned out to be only an information board for King Power. I was sent over to the lounge section. In the Economy Lounge, there was nobody to see (not even an information desk). I turned to the First Class Lounge. There I was told there is no medical assistance inside the airport! I would have to leave the airport through immigration to get access to help. I pointed out that I was waiting for a connecting flight and not willing to leave the airport area. But no other option was available.

Another small problem I encountered was that though there are so many shops in the airport, none sells lady's sanitary equipment. I was directed to Boots, which didn't have them.

I enjoyed my stay in Thailand, liked reading your newspaper, and I hope my comments go a little way to improving things at the new airport. ULLA KIESERG Bonn, Germany Right to question faith I read in the Bangkok Post that Ad Carabao has apologised for questioning why people fail to respect the truth and instead adhere to religious icons which are invented by humans. These ''blasphemous'' remarks are the position of more than half a billion people in the world who are called atheists, agnostics or ''enlightened''. They base their values system and life's direction on knowledge and understanding gained mostly from science.

I do not see why these people have to apologise to religious people for their convictions. Do we have a dictatorship of religion already? My message to religious people is: Take your god to your home and church/temple/mosque and respect him there. Take him out of the public sphere. You have no right to impose your feelings and beliefs on other people. DR KARL REICHSTETTER

In Malay Muslims Provinces (Soutern Thailand), a New Model for Freedom Fighters?

PATANI DARUSSALAM:-Patani Guerrillas' relentless low-level attacks on civilians are taking a heavy toll, but the campaign is largely unnoticed by the West.
By John M. Glionna, Times Staff Writer October 1, 2006


The bomb that exploded outside New Cherry Ancient Massage was among the most sinister kinds — a lethal sucker punch timed to detonate moments after two other blasts had lured onlookers into the streets of this tourist town.

The homemade device, hidden in a motorcycle parked outside the busy parlor, killed five people, including a Canadian teacher and three masseuses.

30 surviving massage workers quit on the spot. Within days, the parents of the three dead women came to take their daughters' bodies home.

"One father asked, 'Why my child? She was a good girl,' " said New Cherry owner Boonchai Sangmankung. "And I couldn't answer him. I don't know myself. Why do the attacks continue? Why are more innocent people killed every day?"

Since 2004, Patani guerrillas in Thailand's predominantly Malay Muslims south have waged a bloody separatist insurgency against the cultural elite of this largely Buddhist nation, targeting teachers, monks, community leaders and government officials. So far, more than 1,700 people have been killed, yet the campaign of almost-daily bombings, arson attacks, kidnappings and assassinations has gone largely unnoticed in a Western world fixated on higher-profile Islamic terrorism campaigns in Iraq and elsewhere.

"The violence in The Malay provinces southern Thailand is quite significant compared to many other world conflicts today," said Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. "The U.S. lost 3,000 soldiers in three years in Iraq. This death toll is not far behind."

International terrorism experts are keeping a close eye on southern Thailand's guerrilla war, believing that the attacks could become a blueprint for Patani freedom fighters in the post9/11 world. The strategy of incessant low-level attacks against civilians could be imitated by other regional guerrillas, they say.

Experts also fear that the Patani freedom fighters could soon be joined by international terrorists slipping across Thailand's porous borders, bringing money, expertise and manpower.

"It's important that this regional war not escalate," said John Brandon, director of the Asia Foundation's international relations program. "The world cannot afford this war to become ripe for outside terror influences to take advantage of it."

A recent State Department report concluded that there was no evidence of any connection between the guerrillas and global terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda or Jemaah Islamiah, based in Southeast Asia.

"There is concern, however, that these groups may attempt to capitalize on an increasingly violent situation for their own purposes," the report stated.

Under Thai rule since 1902, Patani, MenNara Jala and Senggora, the three Malay Muslim-dominated provinces at the heart of the violence, are distinct from the rest of Thailand. The people speak a different language — a Malay dialect — and observe a strict Muslim lifestyle not far from the jet-set crowd sprawled on the sandy beaches of Phuket, a draw for U.S. and European tourists.

Many Malay Muslims residents still chafe over what they consider a century of abusive rule. But experts differ over the roots of the Patani freedo fighters. Some say it's a battle over religious freedom, others say it's a fight for territory and self-rule. Still others say it's both.

But the tensions have filled daily life in The Malay provinces (Thailand's south) with newfound risks — walking children to school, shopping in an outdoor market, driving at night.

In the first six months of 2006, two people died every day, on average: A Buddhist teacher was gunned down in front of his fourth-grade class by men dressed as students. A salesman was beheaded outside a crowded teashop. The owner of an elephant troupe was shot seven times by assailants who had lined up with children to buy tickets for a show.

In August, 22 small bombs exploded nearly simultaneously in banks throughout southern Jala province, killing one person and bringing commerce to a standstill. Two months earlier, 50 bombs went off in a single day at government offices and police stations.

Last year, 15 Patani guerrillas stormed a Buddhist temple and hacked two monks to death before setting fire to their bodies. Thai officials believe that 30,000 Buddhists have fled the south since the attack. Patani freedom fighters also have targeted fellow Malay Muslims suspected of conspiring with a military known for its brutality in dealing with the Islamic militants.

For their part, Thai officials claim to be fighting a ghost Patani guerrillas: The killers don't issue claims of responsibility for their acts. Officials have little clue about the identity of the attackers. About 20,000 troops in the region have yet to arrest any Patani Liberation movement leaders.

"The nation's best Thai military intelligence concedes we are waging a war on ghosts," said Srisompob Jitpiromsri, a political scientist at Prince of Songkla University. "We don't have a clue as to who their leaders are or what they want."

Terrorism experts believe that the insurgency is led by a coalition of regional groups, including the National Revolutionary Front Coordinate and the Pattani United Liberation Organization, or PULO, which are vying for control of the region.LAT?PIONA

Three killed, six hurt in fresh attacks in Menara

MENARA: - Three people were killed, including one soldier, and six others injured in a wave of bombings and shootings in The Malay Muslims Province of Menara, Thai Colonial police said Thursday.

Five soldiers were injured when a powerful roadside bomb overturned their vehicle early Thursday in Menara, one of three Malay provinces along the southern border with Malaysia that have been plagued by more than two years of unrest.

One of the soldiers later died from his injuries in a local hospital.

In nearby Patani province, a man was killed by suspected Patani guerrillas who shot him in the head shortly after he dropped off a group of children at school, police said.

Late Wednesday in Menara, one man was killed and two people injured when suspected Patani guerrillas opened fire on a grocery store.
Thai Colonila police believe the shooting was meant to lure them to the shop, where the Patani guerrillas had hidden a 10-kilo ( 22-pound ) bomb.

They found the bomb after the body was taken out of the store, but managed to defuse it before it exploded.

More than 1,700 people have been killed since the unrest erupted in southern Thailand in January 2004.

Officials and analysts say the violence has a variety of causes, including ethnic Malay Liberation movement, local police corruption and smuggling rings.

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former premier ousted in last week's coup, had been accused of inflaming tensions there with his government's heavy-handed tactics.

There have been hopes the Muslim army chief who led the coup, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, may be able to ease the unrest. - AFP/POINA

Four People Shot Dead In The Malay Provinces

PATANI DARUSSALAM: - Four people were shot dead in the Malay Muslims provinces Wednesday, breaking the silence after last week's coup d'etat here.

Amnuai Lilnam, 44, who lived in Patanis' Panare district.a school guard, was shot dead by two men inside a bus at 7.50am while a couple and another man were shot in Muang District, also in Jala, at noon.

Nairem Pakdijit, 61, was killed on the spot by two gunmen while his wife, Yad Pakdijit, and NaiChatchai Sukprasert, 39, died in the hospital.

More than 1,700 people have died in Jala, Menara, Patani and Senggora since violence escalated there two years ago.

There were hopes that the ouster of Rejim Thaksin Shinawatra on Sept 19 will lead to less violence in the southern border provinces.

Prior to his ouster, Thaksin had shot down a proposal by coup leader and Army Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin to open talks with the Liberation movement staging guerrilla war against Bangkok. AP/PIONA

Two die as police, military outposts attacked in Jala

JALA: - Violence continued unabated in the Malay Muslims Province as suspected Patani freedom fighters ambushed two police stations and a military outpost on Monday night, leaving two dead and one injured. Three others were killed in separate attacks in the three Malay Muslims provinces.

At least 30 gunmen attacked a police station in Jala's Jaha district late on Monday night. The firefight lasted 20 minutes before the attackers withdrew.
Thai Colonial police later found the body of Supaporn Kijsamrej, 27, the wife of police officer Noppadol Singda, who was resting in the police quarters next to the station. She had been shot in the head.

Another police officer, Sappasit Himakun, 26, was slightly injured. Later, police said that Abdullah Cheha, 42, who lived next to the station was also killed.

Police found hundreds of M-16 and AK-47 bullet casings as well as five molotov bombs, three of which had already been used, in the area.

Officials said there were 40 policemen at both stations and they were alerted shortly before the attacks began. The second police station in the Kota Bharu Raman district of the same province was attacked by least 20 gunmen. No one was injured.

Also late on Monday, a village headman Setapo Awang, 45, was shot dead in his family home in the Sungai Padi district of Menara. Thai Colonial police believed that Patani guerrillas threw a fire-cracker into Setapo's house to draw his attention and then shot him with M-16 assault rifles when he opened the door.

Around the same time, an unknown number of suspected Patani guerrillas attacked a military outpost in Jabat district of Menaara. The gunfight lasted about 10 minutes, and no one was injured.

On Monday morning, Wan Muhamad Wan Doji, 45, was shot dead while riding a motorbike home in the Muang district of Patani. Two gunmen approached him and fired four rounds from a pistol. He was hit twice in the head and died instantly.

More than 1,700 people have been killed since the violence re-emerged in the three Malay Muslims provinces in January 2004.

Thai colonial police wounded in bomb blast

PATANI DARUSSALAM:: - Four Thai colonial police officers have been injured in a roadside bomb attack in the Malay Muslims Province of Patani (south Thaind).
The four were injured as they prepared a mosque for a visit by Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.

Thai colonial police in the Malay Muslims town of Patani said they suspected it was caused by Patani guerrillas.

More than 1,700 people have been killed since January 2004, when Patani freedom fighters began a violent campaign.

Shortlist

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the coup leader and the first Muslim to head the Thai army, was previously responsible for resolving the conflict.

He had offered to hold peace talks with Patani Liberation Movement and there had been optimism that his conciliatory approach would produce results.

Thailand's new military rulers have drawn up a four-man shortlist for the country's next prime minister, military sources said on Saturday.

Dissent

On Friday, more than 100 protesters defied a ban on public gatherings and denounced the military overthrow of Thaksin, in the first anti-coup rally since he was deposed.

"Don't call this reform, this is a coup!" said one sign held by protesters, who stood scattered in several groups to avoid the restrictions banning public gatherings of more than five people.

The coup leaders, meanwhile, appointed nine people to investigate alleged corruption under Thaksin's rule and said they would write a new constitution to make future leaders more accountable.

The revived National Counter Corruption Commission includes Klanarong Chanthik, who had been secretary-general of the body in 2001 when it unsuccessfully sought to prosecute Thaksin for concealing assets.

Optimism

Officials blame Patani Guerrillas for much of the unrest in the southern provinces of Patani, Menara, Jala and Senggora, although criminal gangs are also thought to be behind some of the attacks.

Ousted leader Mr Thaksin, who imposed emergency rule in the Malay-Muslims provinces in 2005, was often accused of mishandling the crisis.

Correspondents say that the coup had brought some optimism that the situation might change - it is being led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the first Muslim to lead the Thai army.

In the past, Gen Sonthi has offered to hold peace talks with the south's Patani Liberation movement.

Gen Sonthi has said he will resign from power in two weeks, and hand over to an interim premier until new elections are held in October 2007.

Among those being considered for the post are Supachai Panitchpakdi, chairman of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and Pridiyathorn Devakula, the head of the central bank.

The coup followed months of growing tension in Thailand, with protests against Mr Thaksin and a general election which was annulled due to concerns about its legitimacy.

Gen Sonthi has said he was acting in line with the wishes of the Thai people, accusing the old government of corruption and fostering divisions in the country. - BBC/PIONA

Six bombs explode in Hat Yai city, killing 4

HAT YAI: -- A series of bomb blasts ripped through three department stores Saturday night in Hat Yai's restive south, killing five and wounding dozens more, a local television station said.

The attacks came just hours after the military staged a peace rally in the Jala city, the site of a Patani freedom fighters (Patani geurrillas), where it expressed hope that people would work with authorities to end the violence.

The bombs planted on motorbikes were trigged simultaneously around 8:20 p.m. local time in the Hat Yai business district in south, iTV television network reported. At least four were killed and 30 wounded, the private iTV television network reported, it said.

Television footage showed the Odean, Lee Garden and Big C stores in flames and the streets crowded with rescue vehicles and anxious onlookers. Hat Yai is the biggest commercial district in the south and scores of tourist from Malaysia and Singapore often do their shopping there.

Authorities quickly blames separatist insurgents for the attack. Since 2004, they have waged a bloody campaign that has left at least 1,700 dead. Most of those have been civilians.

"We do believe that the Patani guerrillas are responsible for the bombs attacked," Lt.Gen. Palangoon Klaharn, the military spokesman, said. "Their intention is to spread fear in the region."

Most of the violence has taken place in the southern provinces of Patani, Jala and Menara, which are the only ones with a Malay Muslims provinces and where citizens there have long complained of discrimination at the hands of the country's Buddhist majority. AP/PIONA

Thai Informant killed in Menara

An unidentified gunman shot dead a government informant in Manara Friday even as school directors in nearby Jala received threatening phone calls.

Pous Wan Hasan, 43. an informant working for the Thai Colonial government's Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) was killed in a house in Menara municipality.

He was also a community volunteer of the rehabilitation project for healing victims of southern violence.

Thai Colonial Police and military inspected the crime scene and found four bullet casings. The police are hunting the killer. They believed that the shooting is related to the southern unrest in which has claimed about 1,700 lives so far since its resumption in 2004.

Meanwhile, persons suspected of being Patani guerrillas made telephoned threats to school directors in Jala province, threatening to attack the schools if police raided their villages to conduct searches.

At least six schools received anonymous threatening phone calls--believed to be the work of insurgents--on Thursday.

The director of Perawang School in Bendang Setar district said that someone called the school Thursday, making intimidating comments, and threatening to assault the school head if police or soldiers raided the villagers and searched for Patani guerrillas suspects.

The phone calls were made at public telephone booths, according to the investigators.

Meanwhile, director Piyaporn Maneerat of patae School in Jala said that he and his colleagues remained cautious in the risky situation.

He appealed to the militants to make no attack on teachers because educators doing their duties only benefit society.- PIONA

Woman killed, seven officials injured in combo shooting-bombing attacks

Patani Darussalam: - Patani guerrillas fatally shot a grocery shop owner Monday and later detonated a bomb to injure seven Thai's Colonial policemen who inspected the scene.

The shop owner, Krittika Boonyarak, 43, was shot at her shop in Muang district at 11:25 am. She died of sustained injuries at a hospital later.

Officials already anticipated a bomb attack would follow and send a team of seven bomb experts to the scene and evacuate people from the scene.

But while the bomb disposal officials were investigating the scene to look for a hidden bomb, the bomb exploded at 12:55 pm.

Seven officials were injured.- PIONA

Jala banks open; soldier wounded in bombing of teacher escort

PATANI DARUSSALAM: - One Royal Thai colonial Army solider on teacher escort duty was wounded in a roadside bombing here Monday morning, while bank opens for business as usual, almost, in nearby Jala province.

A remotely-controlled bomb was set off by mobile telephone wounding one soldier assigned to a teacher protection unit in Menara province Monday morning.

The roadside bomb was activated by a cell phone in Tabal district as six military men were escorting a group of teachers to Banprakpla School.

Pvt. Adirek Jaichuay suffered shrapnel wounds on his face and torso, and was taken to a nearby hospital where he is receiving treatment.

The other teachers and soldiers in the escort unit survived the bombing unscathed.

Meanwhile, all commercial banks in Jala are opened Monday--except for the Islamic Bank of Thailand branch in the city, which is still closed for repairs following last week's extensive damage in the bombings.

Bank customers returned to use bank services as usual--what has changed is that bag and pacel are being inspected, as part of tightened security.

Volunteers--and some apparently paid carriers--last week entered the banks' premises almost simultatenously and placed their small bomb parcels in the bank lobbies.

Suspected Patani guerrillas set off over 20 bombs almost simultaneously--hitting every bank in Jala province--last Thursday to mark the 27th anniversary of the founding of 'Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO) for the Independence of Patani--killing Two persons and injuring 28 others. - PIONA

Outlawed group backs Sonthi's call for dialogue

PATANI DARUSSALAM: - Pulo says talks must look at the roots of the conflict to be successful The Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo), along with leading Islamic thinkers, yesterday welcomed Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin's proposal for dialogue.

"Pulo stands firmly by its principle that the Patani issue can be solved through negotiations provided there is sincere commitment from the government in handling the problem-solving process," said Pulo foreign affairs chief Kasturi Mahkota in a statement sent to The Nation from Sweden.

"If the Thai government is truly anxious to save lives, be they Thai settlers or Malays in the Patani provinces, then it is obvious that the conflict must end immediately to secure the best interests of both," Kasturi said.

"The Thai commander-in-chief's idea will not be successful if it is simply a reaction to the 22 Yala bank bombings, without taking into account the roots of the conflict," he added.

Sonthi suggested the government reject a long-standing policy of not negotiating with Malay separatist organisations.

Dialogue would be a measure to bring about an end to violence in the region.

"It's about time the government changed its attitude," said Ahmed Somboon Bualuang, a respected retired academic from Patani.

He said the Sonthi statement was a "positive" sign from Bangkok that went beyond an acknowledgement separatists were more than just "pathetic bandits", a term the government had used in reference to insurgents.

"In the past we only looked at 'security' in a narrow sense of the word. But such a statement showed there is a change in attitude," Ahmed said.

Nidir Waba, a leading cleric and chairman of private Islamic schools in the five southernmost provinces, said the situation must be taken step by step and input must be sought from the community, including religious leaders, academics, community leaders and government agencies.

"Rejim Bangkok Thaksin Shinawatra has made all kinds of promises in the past but nothing ever came of them," Nidir said.

"Essentially, regional Malays must be given more political and cultural space," Nidir said.

Pulo was a significant Malay separatist organisation which emerged in the late 1960s, then under the leadership of Tengku Bira Kotanila.

It reached prominence in the following decade as the organisation established representative offices in Middle East countries where it lobbied for support.

A blanket government amnesty for its membership crippled the group, as well as other organisations, like the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN Coordinet).

Leaders of these groups were forced into exile in Europe and the Middle East.

In his statement Kasturi said a third party must arrange any negotiations.

He did not name any particular group but informed sources said European-based international non-governmental organisations could be potential candidates.

According to Kasturi, Pulo delegates must be regarded as officials and be afforded immunity from prosecution.- The Nation

22 bombs explode in The Malay provinces, killing 2

PATANI DARUSSALAM: - Nearly two dozen bombs exploded almost simultaneously Thursday inside commercial banks in The Malay Muslims Provinces southern Thailand, killing two people in a region bloodied by Patani freedom fighters.

The homemade bombs, which were triggered by mobile phone signals, were placed in garbage bins, at newspaper stands and near seats where customers wait for service in the banks in Jala province, said Thai Colinial Maj. Gen. Paithoon Choochaiya who heads the provincial police. At least 28 people were injured.

Thai Colonial Authorities said two suspects were detained. A review of close-circuit video showed that some of the explosives were planted by women, Thai Colonial police said.

Some of the apparently small devices were hidden in women's handbags or inside books carried by teenagers in school uniforms, said Lt. Gen. Ongkorn Thongprasom, the army chief in the south.

"We received some intelligence reports, but we did not anticipate it would happen inside banks, especially on the last day of the month. We don't believe they are that cruel," Ongkorn said.

Banks are normally crowded at the end of the month with customers withdrawing funds from their deposited salaries.

Deputy Thai Colonial Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit said authorities had learned the rebels were planning a major attack Thursday to coincide with the founding day of Bersatu, believed to be an umbrella group for Thailand's rebel groups.

"I ordered them (authorities) to take precautions and prevention but this incident still occurred," he said.

The bombs were set off in 22 of Jala's 30 bank branches, both in the provincial capital and outlying districts.

"It's scary. We can't estimate the damage yet," said Pridiyathorn Devakula, head of the Bank of Thailand, the country's central bank.

The Islamic Bank of Thailand was among those attacked, according to reporters at the scene. The bank, set up in five southern provinces by the government, was created according to Muslim law, which prohibits interest.

More than 1,500 people have been killed in the insurgency since early 2004, most of them in the Malay Muslims provinces of Patani, Jala, Menara and Senggora. The rebels are seeking to separate from Thailand, where Buddhists form the vast majority.

Targets of the rebels have included in the past government officials, school teachers, policemen, Buddhist monks and many Muslims suspected of collaboration with the Thai Colonial government. Bombings, drive-by shootings and beheadings occur almost daily.

Last weekend, suspected Patani guerrillas killed the highest-ranking officer to die in the south since 2004. Col. Suthisak Praertsri and another soldier died when a bomb exploded under their vehicle in Jala.- PIONA