Delicate Signs of Change
Thailand 's most southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala, have been wracked by a low level insurgency since early 2004 that has claimed over thirteen hundred lives – and the death toll continues to rise.
In recent days two men were shot dead in Narathiwat and early Saturday a village headman was gunned down while riding his motorcycle on a village road.
Peace building and extrajudicial killings
The Thai Army has responded by stepping up security. Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin this week ordered an additional 5,000 troops into the region. But as the army tries to put a halt to hit and run attacks, it is also trying to win “hearts and minds” of the local Muslim communities through local development projects or so-called peace building.
The aim is to reverse earlier heavy-handed tactics by security forces to contain the insurgency – that included accusations of extrajudicial killings.
Such measures have left deep scars of distrust and fear among the local population.
In the village of Ban Bo Ko in Narathiwat province the army is assisting a sewing shop employing eleven women. Thai King Bhumipol Aduyadej has long promoted self-sufficiency programs for Thai communities.
Lieutenant Colonel Chalermpon Jinarat, a battalion commander, explains: "The project is about self-sufficiency economy for Royal Projects from our King, to (help) themselves or to make money in this village from our project."
Fear still grips the region
Mrs Aaisa Samanooni, 50, is one of those women working in the shop. She earns just over 100 euros a month to support her children. Mrs Aaisa's husband, a district official, was killed by insurgents three years ago. Mrs Aaisa says the income is barely enough to meet her monthly needs with her children. And fear still grips the region, she adds.
Senior security officials concede the southern conflict is at a stalemate with only few signs of a breakthrough in the near term. The government says it is trying to improve the quality of life of Muslims in the South, through support for education, local communications and development.
Deputy Governor of Pattani province, Winai Kharuwannapat, says besides the injection of public monies the government is respecting human rights.
"The government of Thailand realizes the importance of giving equal rights, of providing equality to everyone regardless of race, religion and beliefs," Kharuwannapat states.
In the village of Toh Deng – a railway stop on the southern rail line – school children welcome the visiting journalists. But for 60-year-old Mah Jae-Daou, an agricultural worker, says despite the rights' concerns, justice can still be random.
He says after an attack police round up local people without a proper investigation, asking few questions. The bad people, he says, escape while the good people are put in gaol.
Economy under pressure
The border provinces' economy has been hard hit since the violence increased in early 2004. Once a favourite for tourists, especially from neighbouring Malaysia, the region now struggles economically.
In a seafood factory in Pattani, Sutchai Somphong, an executive at the plant employing 430 people – mostly women – says worker sentiment is often affected by the region's violence.
"They are worried in their hearts because this violence, they don't know when it will stop."
Ron Corben
© DEUTSCHE WELLE 2006
Qantara.de
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