The Price of Tough Policing - Southern Thailand - Present

Why Are We Interested in Looking at This Conflict

Thailand is known of the land of a thousand smiles and over 90% of its population are Buddhists. Buddhism is often characterised by its peaceful philosophy and yet the Thai insurgency is notorious for its violence. In this exercise, it is hope that you can find evidence that it is not the religion or race that caused ethnic unrest or violence but a mismanagement of people.

Questions that You MUST Answer for Your Presentation

1. What happened in this conflict? You may wish to consider the following:
• Historical timeline
• Profile of the main players/parties involved in this conflict
• Impact on the country and the world.
• Or anything else you find significant.
2. What do you think is the KEY REASONS that led to this conflict becoming full-blown.
3. But this conflict wasn't triggered by race alone. What other forces have contributed to the creation of this conflict or worsen it?
4. Your group's reflections after completing your research?
5. There are some similarities to Singapore. Please share with the class what these are.

You may wish to start your research by getting to know this conflict using the sources below. However, do feel free to add your own sources if you feel interested enough to do additional research.

A Wikipedia Summary

The South Thailand insurgency is a separatist campaign which took place in the Pattani region, three southern provinces of Thailand, with violence increasingly spilling over into neighbouring provinces and threatening to extend up to the national capital in Bangkok. A long series of conflicts has resulted in over 2500 deaths in the past decade, with more than 2300 occurring since an escalation of violence in January of 2004.^[1] In July of 2005 the Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, assumed wide-ranging emergency powers to deal with the insurgency. In September 2006, Army Commander Sonthi Boonyaratkalin was granted an extraordinary increase in executive powers to combat the unrest.^[2] On 19 September, Sonthi and the Thai military seized power from Thaksin. Despite reconciliatory gestures from the junta, the insurgency has continued.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Thailand_insurgency

Visions from the Past

Pro-Buddhist Voice of America Documentary


Al Jazeera English Analysis of the Southern Thailand Insurgency Part 1


Al Jazeera English Analysis of the Southern Thailand Insurgency Part 2

Web Resources

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4651184.stm
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3436
http://www.sangam.org/2007/02/Thailand.php?uid=2218
http://uk.equilibri.net/article/6794/Thailand__insurgency_in_the_South

Here's What You Are Supposed to Do