Southern Provinces of Thailand: Violence and Bombings
Bangkok Post's photo
Train traffic was disrupted in Narathiwat province today after two bombs destroyed the tracks. There were no injuries.
It is not yet known who planted the bombs, but it is believed to be Islamic insurgents. The three southernmost provinces of Thailand are experiencing a lot of violence. It was also announced on Wednesday that two police officers were killed by Muslim extremists in the southern province of Pattani.
Insurgents in Thailand rarely release statements, but they are believed to be fighting for an independent Muslim state in the predominantly Buddhist country.
Travel to four southern provinces is not recommended
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises tourists not to travel to Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla provinces. journey. Since January 2004, attacks have regularly taken place in these provinces. These include bombings, arson and targeted murders. The attacks are mainly aimed at Thai authorities, but civilians have also become victims to an increasing extent.
Since the beginning of 2011, the intensity of the attacks has increased and there are (fatal) victims almost every day. More than 2004 people, including a small number of foreigners, have been killed since violence erupted in southern Thailand in 4.300. Train travel in the southern provinces is discouraged.
I'm afraid that the figure of 4300 deaths since 2004 is unfortunately on the low side. I am also afraid that with “increase in intensity since the beginning of 2011” you are seriously trivializing the previous years.
Unfortunately, both sides (police and army on the one hand and “insurgents” on the other) are ruthless with the murder of many innocents.
It can actually be said that a guerrilla war is going on in a limited area of southern Thailand. This is the result of a conflict that has been dragging on for decades, in which the Thai government in particular has started to act harshly and ruthlessly. But also through systematic suppression of the local culture.
Unfortunately, global history has taught us (but we remain stupid) that you cannot suppress or kill an idea. To arm your enemy with love.
Chang Noi
I completely agree with you that we (should) do that, but how could it be that conversely most (fundamental) Muslims do not embrace US and the Buddhists and are extremely intolerant of dissenters or believers? Or rather: what can WE and the Thai Buddhists do to make the Muslim population in the south more tolerant and more peaceful? What is the alternative to hard police action by the police?
@John
Agree. On the fault line between Islam and other religions you encounter conflict situations all over the world. Islam, of course, is ultimately the breeding ground from which fundamental Muslims were once recruited and then brainwashed.
Sometimes I think the wounds are too deep (I'm thinking of the Crusades…) to ever lead to real fraternization and mutual understanding?
As far as the Muslims in Southern Thailand are concerned, I can have some understanding of their situation (NOT violence) because this is a "backward" area that the Thai authorities pay little or no attention to. I'm thinking here of infrastructure, investments, etc.
Well I didn't mean that embracing so Christian "huge him to death" works much better as a bullet because you only make more enemies with that.
bring prosperity? Well, that seems to be the only solution, but then together with freedom, because there are a few very prosperous countries where people still live under dictatorship and keep their faith very high.
Anyway …. Indeed, bringing prosperity seems to me to be the only solution. In the end, everyone just wants to sleep safely at home with his/her family/husband/wife/children.
Chang Noi
John, you probably mean Muslim extremists who burn down Christian churches. I am very familiar with Indonesia, but that Christians against Christians?