A Muslim governor in Pattani
(Editorial credit: AnupongTermin / Shutterstock.com)The Thai government has appointed a Muslim governor in Pattani, in the deep south. A woman with 29 years of experience in administrative bodies has been appointed to that post.
In this area affected by uprisings and attacks, this appointment can hopefully bring some peace, although people will undoubtedly remember the words of Prime Minister Thaksin at the time that Thailand will not give up an inch of land. And that's where a lot of the pain lies.
This area does not belong to Thailand; not in terms of religion, culture and language. The Thai government has cracked down on the population and, under Thaksin, has lifted the very limited self-government. Thousands of people have died in the attacks and violence by the Thai army and the area has been subject to serious negative travel advice for years.
History
The kingdom of Pattani was annexed by Siam after wars and rebellions in the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, by treaty (and after mediation by the British), the parts of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat became Siamese territory and the southern parts were ceded to Malaysia.
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/thailand-appoints-1st-muslim-woman-governor-in-troubled-south/2740304
Not wanting to give up an inch of soil. Where and when did I hear that?
I have lived in Songkhla and know what it is . . . . . and wish everyone in Pattani good luck with the new Muslim governor. Regards, Alex Pakchong
We can also face reality.
The area in question will always remain a hotbed because they are sponsored from the Middle East to continue to cause unrest.
A lot of illegality comes together in that fine region to undermine both Malaysia and Thailand. As a Westerner and also the majority with the faith that is common in TH, no one is waiting for chaos. Chaos is good money made by a small group with misery for many more people.
A 100-year story is used as an excuse, but isn't it true that after the 2nd World War there can also be a chemistry to build a good life for everyone and even with the enemy?
Johnny BG, I miss the link confirming your words about Middle Eastern funding. Do you have that link for us?
The Middle East? Then they would have long since picked up one and made public with it. The only thing I've read in 30 years of Thailand, in the BKK Post at least, is that the province of Satun has camps in which Muslim women learn how to use bomb belts! Funny; soon after Satun became Unesco heritage….
The area never gets quiet; completely correct. There is too much old pain from the ancient kingdom of Pattani and the unbridled violence of the Thai army. You too must have heard of Somchai, of the mosque shootings and of the Tak Bai 'incident', well, rather say massacre. No one has been held accountable for this. That calls for revenge and I fully understand that.
I am also thinking more of the transit of 'ice' via that area to the neighboring country; it has also been proven that oil barons illegally bring oil across the border through pipelines in regional rivers. Soldiers are regarded as unwanted snoopers, which is one of the reasons why there are attacks.
It's not as simple as you want to suggest; call Middle East and forget about the violence of the army and the violation of human rights. Yes, that's how I can explain a problem! It's much deeper than that.
Erik,
Here's a link.
https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/the-changing-nature-of-thailands
The ideology behind the long-running ethnic conflict in Thailand's deep south, which has taken the lives of an estimated 7,000 on both sides since it sparked into the open in 2002, is pivoting away from the centuries-old relatively laid-back Islam of the past towards a Salafi-Islamic narrative as Saudi Arabia continues to fund madrassas, or schools, and pondoks, or shelters for students, in the area along with other operations.
@Eric,
I can't find the link from the CIA anymore, but they said a few years ago that they had indications that the area was a refuge for people who don't like Western society and that was why it was declared an area of interest. The fact that the fear has not disappeared is evident from the opinion in the link below.
I sometimes wonder what percentage of the perfectly ordinary population in the relevant provinces wants to separate themselves from TH. I suspect very little because they also want to have a normal life.
https://www.thestatesman.com/opinion/taliban-resurgence-will-impact-southeast-asia-1503012682.html
Johnny BG, all kinds of things are being said. That of those Muslim women in Satun who would learn how to make bomb belts also seems strong to me because I have never heard or read of anyone blowing themselves up like that. Muslims from there would be trained by IS, and more stories like that. I do not believe it.
The region is known for smuggling and human trafficking. Rohingyas have been in camps and died; to what? There are also stories of mass graves. See the link below from William. Such a region attracts all kinds of people, unfortunately.
A sad affair that will not end for the time being, unfortunately.
Dear Johnny,
The problem is – as usual – a bit more complicated than you imagine.
The area is Thai territory and Malaysia is not eager to take over this area (if Thailand wanted to).
Research shows that the Middle East has absolutely no interest in this problem. If that were the case, there would be much more and much more unrest. So the so-called Muslim extremists have to do everything themselves.
From Bangkok, in the last 30 years, there is no empathy visible for the Muslims and their wishes in this area.
There is a call all over Thailand for more decentralization. Hope that will help a bit.
Reality is often an illusion Johnny.
The piece of the right to freedom and self-government has long been subordinated, as is the case in several parts of the world and 'never' will ever again be achieved between dominant countries or population groups.
I don't really need to name the 'popular' areas.
In Europe, people are also creating something like this against their better judgement.
Borders have never remained stable for a long time, not anywhere, we sometimes want to quickly forget.
Piece of a few years old with their view of the situation there in southern Thailand
https://bit.ly/3XnfDTX
That this is news at all should not be the case. The Thai, wherever in the country, should be able to choose their governors directly. So direct democracy. Unfortunately, the hand of Bangkok continues to rule the roost everywhere.
“This area does not belong to Thailand; not in terms of religion, culture and language.”
If we really take this quote seriously, it is over with the world's cultural diversity and – fortunately – with discrimination. We simply give each religious and/or cultural minority its own country, we stop interfering with them and the problems are over.
Do the Frisians belong to the Netherlands?
Do the Muslims belong in the Netherlands? And the Catholics, and the Jehovah's Witnesses?
Do the German-speaking Belgians in the border area belong to Belgium?
Is Wales part of the English Kingdom?
Do the Uighurs belong in China?
Should I continue?
Chris, it makes a difference whether you voluntarily migrate to an area or whether borders are changed on a military drawing board without input from the population. In the latter case, you get long faces and possible violence.