The killings of Thai soldiers, Muslim separatists, and a Buddhist monk pushed the death toll in Southern Thailand over 3000 since January, 2004. The present government is holding emergency meetings to figure out a strategy to combat the violence, however Interior Minister Chalerm has admitted he hasn't a clue as to solve the insurgency, which is about the first honest statement any politician has uttered about the South.
Violence has begat violence in the absence of serious talks between the two rivals for the four provinces, which was annexed to Thailand in 1905.
Chalerm announced his ignorance in Songkla, where he met regional leaders, rather than Pattani. Critics said he was was scared of getting killed by a car bomb. I can't blame him.
I was in Yala in 1996.
There was no one getting killed.
The present troubles started after the seizure of 4000 rai by a plantation owner friendly with the government. The police forced hundreds of families off the land appropriated to the landless. Faced with nothing to lose people defended themselves against the land robbers. Troops were sent to quell the disturbances. More troops. More violence. More deaths.
How do you turn back the clock?
By moving forward.
Have foreign mediators contact the insurgent leaders and set up talks in a neutral country. Discuss the problems, make concessions, come to a peace whatever the cost. The alternative is more of the same. A little Iraq that will never go away.
Violence has begat violence in the absence of serious talks between the two rivals for the four provinces, which was annexed to Thailand in 1905.
Chalerm announced his ignorance in Songkla, where he met regional leaders, rather than Pattani. Critics said he was was scared of getting killed by a car bomb. I can't blame him.
I was in Yala in 1996.
There was no one getting killed.
The present troubles started after the seizure of 4000 rai by a plantation owner friendly with the government. The police forced hundreds of families off the land appropriated to the landless. Faced with nothing to lose people defended themselves against the land robbers. Troops were sent to quell the disturbances. More troops. More violence. More deaths.
How do you turn back the clock?
By moving forward.
Have foreign mediators contact the insurgent leaders and set up talks in a neutral country. Discuss the problems, make concessions, come to a peace whatever the cost. The alternative is more of the same. A little Iraq that will never go away.
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