The way forward in southern Thailand

[Lev]

The southern provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani in southern Thailand have witnessed a series of high-profile incidents of violence in the last month. The alleged killing of a Muslim religious teacher by security forces led the residents of Lahan in the Sungei Padi district to blockade access to the village. The subsequent exodus of 131 people from southern Thailand to neighboring Malaysia has led to tensions between the two countries.

Furthermore, the gruesome murders of two soldiers in Tanyong Limo village and the ensuing cordon of the village by women and children reflected the deep mistrust between the authorities and the populace of the region. Even as Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited the southern provinces, two bombs went off in Sungei Golok. Clearly, more than a year after the Tak Bai incident in which 78 Muslim men suffocated while in police custody, the violence in southern Thailand continues in a downward spiral.

Many analysts advocate a velvet glove approach to alleviate the insurgency. Particularly after the conclusion of a peace agreement between the government of Indonesia and the separatist group, Gerakan Aceh Merdeka in Aceh, there have been calls for Thailand to initiate a similar peace process. There are two problems with applying this Aceh-style strategy to southern Thailand. Firstly, unlike Aceh, no one rebel group can offer a reasonable guarantee to cease all acts of violence in southern Thailand. Secondly, it does not take into account the role that ordinary citizens can play in resolving the insurgency.

Full Story: Asia Times Online
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[Norseman]

One more attempt to stop the violence in the south. The paper cranes didn't work. Maybe this will give the people their much wanted peace.

The air force is going to revamp the look of its two AU-23 multi-purpose aircraft based in Hat Yai by changing the decor on the nose of the planes from an ''angry shark'', baring its teeth, to a smiling fish.

Air force chief Chalit Pukpasuk said the change would be made to reflect the name of the aircraft _ the Peacemaker.

He said the new design would make the aircraft look ''more cute'' during missions, he said.

The actual design of the smiling fish had yet to be decided upon, he said.

The plane's main mission is to patrol the three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala and distribute leaflets promoting peace.

The US-made AU-23 has been in action since 1972 on a counter-insurgency mission. ACM Chalit said despite the new look, the planes would still be based at Hat Yai rather than Pattani airport due to safety concerns.
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