Troubles in the South - August 2005 Troubles in the South index page (Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: 'Cutting to prove' - August 28, 2005 Dr. Has reports: On August 28, monks from Nakornsawan Province came to distribute auspicious material (Buddha images) to people in Yala. There were lots of people (children and adults) waiting to get the auspicious materials. Once they receive the Buddha image, the monk confirms they cannot be harmed by trying to cut their arm with a machete. (Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Turmoil in Sungai-kolok Mr. John reports: August 31, 2005 - The new Toyota pickup (above) of the owner of Kaina Restaurant Karaoke was parked at the back of Grand Garden hotel. Bad guys put the bomb in the back of the pickup. It exploded and damaged the area. There were 14 unrest situations in Narathiwat on August 31 such as bombs in the motorcycle queue and bombs at the back of Kenting Hotel. 15 were injured and one person was shot. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: "Welcome home" - August 30, 2005 Mr. John reports: "Welcome home" - Lt. Col. Chanchai Aem-on welcomed the 11 misguided persons who surrendered and were sent to have mind training at Prapokklao Camp, Songkhal for 7 days. They came back by military six-wheel car to Ban Paree. The Islamic headman, Kamnan (Head of Tambon), head of village, and their relatives were waiting for them at the mosque at Ban Paree, Mu 4, Tambon Janae, Amphur Janae, Narathiwat. Almost like being there: "Strict control" - August 30, 2005 Mr. John reports: Strict control - About 50 Had Yai police, railway police, and the special operation units including with the sniffer dogs and bomb checking machine, are strictly examining the Had Yai junction railway station after being warned about safety from the security units in the three provinces. Malaysia opens arms to Thai Muslims - The Irrawaddy, September 2, 2005 Malaysia would be willing to temporarily shelter Thai Muslims who flee their country's insurgency-wracked south if violence there persists, Malaysia's foreign minister said Thursday... (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Trying to blow up a bridge - August 31, 2005 In Nong Chik, Pattani, separatists tied 18 bombs to a bridge. Eleven bombs detonated. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Defusing a bomb - August 31, 2005 Mr. John reports: The team of Baytong, Yala police patrol checked and defused a bomb that the bad guys made from a 15 kgs of gas tank. It was left in front of the gas shop in Baytong, Yala. After investigating, the police found flammable material inside. It is expected that they wanted to reinforce the bomb power and damage a gasoline station 100 metres away. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Fatalities Mr. John reports (left): On August 28, 2005 another Village safety guard was killed. Bad guys shot Mr. Hadi Matasira, 36-years-old, while he was riding a motorcycle. The bad guys were hidden and shot him in the heart and head. Mr. John reports (right): On August 29, 2005, Mr. Apidej Yongmakeh, 40-years-old, from Yala and also a volunteer of the combat team was shot while guarding a monk collecting food early in the morning. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Market for Friday - August 26, 2005 Dr. Has reports: This is the area for selling cheap goods that the government arranged. It is located at the old market in the Muslim area of Yala and will be opened to sell on Friday. Almost like being there: Yala - August 31, 2005 Mr. John reports: The former Chinese-Malayu communist thief asks for Thai nationality. Mr. Yongfuk Zaechai, 77-years-old, former deputy leader of the Chinese-Malayu communists headquartered at Ban Piyamitr 1, Mu 2, Tambon Tanohmaeror, Baytong, Yala came to meet Yala governor and ask for Thai nationality. He denied that he is involved with the unrest in the deep south. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Yala bomb - August 31, 2005 Mr. John reports: Bombing the team assigned to protect teachers. The police checked the area where the bad guy bombed the police team assigned to protect teachers, Bannangstar, Yala. Two were injured. Almost like being there: Narathiwat - August 31, 2005 Mr. John reports: Officers rechecked the bomb material and cleared the area where the bad guy tried to blast a team of teachers and a team of police assigned to protect them. This bomb injured Mr. Worn Marin, a teacher of Banbue-rangae School, Tambon Tohdeng, Sungai-golok, Narathiwat. Drug rings 'behind unrest' - Chaos incited to stop narcotics suppression - Bangkok Post, August 31, 2005 The Narcotics Control Office and the military have reiterated their belief the violence in the deep South is mainly caused by drug rings which have given some groups of people both money and drugs to incite chaos. In this way they draw attention away from their trafficking activities... (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: 15 persons surrender - August 30, 2005 Mr. John reports: The united front of southern thieves surrender. Lt. Gen. Kwanchat Klaharn, commander in-chief of region 4, Mr. Pracha Terat, Narathiwat Governor, and Pol. Lt. Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, the Commander of Region 9 meet surrendering members of the united front from four districts in Narathiwat. They want to be good persons are afraid of the situation and want to surrender. The officers will take them to have mind training at the Peace Supporting School, Prapokklao Camp, Songkhla. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Yala - August 28, 2005 Mr. John reports: Killing the safety guards for a village. The police investigated the house at 117 Ban Duzongkuji, Mu 1, Tambon Sa-ey, Amphur Krongping, where the bad guy attacked with a war weapon. There were two persons killed, Mr. Karn Yingsong, 60-years-old, and Mr. Sukij Yingsong, 28-years-old (both safety guards for the village). They died while they were watching TV. The bad guy also stole their rifle. Almost like being there: Yala - August 28, 2005 Mr. John reports: Pol. Gen. Chidchai Wannasatit, deputy PM and Justice Minister said after the government enforces the emergency decree, there has not been serious situations and unrest is at a good level. He is pleased to see lots of people volunteer to create peace. This is the better way than using the power of the emergency decree. He will speed up the summary of what is happening in the area and will clearly distinguish which problems are caused by the unrest group and which by conflicts between groups. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Yala - August 26, 2005 Mr. John reports: A team of Village Safety (150 persons) from five villages of Tambon Kaluwor Wornuea, Amphur Muang participate in an oath-taking ceremony after training on tactics, using a shotgun, and protecting themselves in the villages. This ceremony was done in front of a photo of the King Rama 9. The oath says the Village Safety will teams will be loyal to the nation, religion, and king and be honest to protect the country with their lives. Also to protect their villages for peace and cooperate with the government officers to fight terrorism in the area. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Yala - August 26, 2005 Dr. Has reports: During August 25-26, the Office of Education in area 1, Yala organized the activity "To be number one" which has many activities such as student contests and interests many school to join in. Thailand denies secret talks with Malay rebels - Reuters, August 29, 2005 Malay separatists say behind southern Thai unrest - Reuters, August 28, 2005 ...In a stunning U-turn by an administration which has favoured an iron fist over reconciliation, the spokesman said the Thai government had entered secret talks with PULO from August 24-27 in Lausanne in Switzerland. There was no immediate comment from the government... (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Yala - August 29, 2005 Mr. John reports: Killing the art teacher: Mr. Abdulmana Jehzor, 34-years-old, who stays in Tambon Wangpaya, Amphur Raman, Yala was shot by bad guys and died on route to hospital. Mr. Jehzor was an art teacher at Pattanavittaya which is the second biggest religious school in Yala. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Yala - August 25, 2005 Mr. John reports: On August 25, Pol. Col. Chaitat Intanoojit, the superintendent of Yala Police is the chairperson for promoting the rank of 65 uniform and plain-clothed police who combat crime in the area by focusing on gun offenses, war weapons and bombs for the August 22-26 Royal visit of The Queen. This also prevents promotes the safety of the people. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: "A Emergency Decree Seminar"- August 22, 2005 Mr. John reports: "A Emergency Decree Seminar" on August 22. Seminar on Decree: Justice Commission and Human Rights, the House of Representatives, Prapokklao Institute, National Human Rights Commission and Thai Law Society organizes a seminar on "How the emergency decree of 2005 impacts people's life in the three southern border provinces." There are more than 1000 people from the five southern border provinces (Satun, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat) who joined to listen in. Some speakers are worried that law will make the situation worse. Right: Democrat MP Surin Pitsuwan (Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Disaster training in Hat Yai - August 26, 2005 Mr. John writes: Training to cope with fire: The unit to cope with disaster in Had Yai municipality and a network of public rescue workers and 300 officers who join police, nurses, and volunteers in a training exercise. They train on fire rescue in the 43-floor Napalai Place Building on Ratyindi Road in the center of Hadyai. People pretend to be trapped and injured. It takes two hours before finishing the exercise. Stricter cell-phone measures likely in south - TNA, August 24, 2005 ...While a technical explanation of what the proposal involves has not been presented, it is thought that making or receiving messages by cell phone in the border region will not be possible... (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Narathiwat - August 24, 2005 Mr. John writes: Police arrest a man who allegedly distributes unrest leaflets. Mr. Hama Jehteh, 21-years-old, from Amphur Bajor, Narathiwat was confined and questioned by police in the case of allegedly participating in, inciting, or arranging to threaten government and people. Earlier: Translation of a leaflet left by 'bandits' in the deep South - May 1, 2005 Earlier: Translation of a leaflet left by 'bandits' in the deep South - February 22, 2005 More on Troubles in the South Southern conflict marked by a profound sense of history - The Nation, August 22, 2005 It's Monday and time for another blistering editorial from Chang Noi... On his recent trip to the South, Thaksin told the people of Tak Bai to forget the events of the recent past and begin a new life. A few years ago, in his speech on the opening of the monument to the uprising of October 14, 1973, Thaksin urged that now the monument had finally been built after years of controversy, people should forget the incident and the controversy and look to the future... Chang Noi's website. Almost like being there: Returning the body - August 22, 2005 Mr. John reports: Back home in Nakorn Ratchasima, Mrs. Supien Mongkhuntod, Mrs. Sumlee Kabkhuntod and Mr. Sungvien Putkhuntod, mother, aunt and uncle of Seaman Kraisorn Mongkhuntod, wait for his dead body that is being delivered by army plane. Seaman Kraisorn was in hospital at Songkhlanakarin, Hadyai for 10 days and finally died from wounds suffered in a bomb attack in front of Saeng Thongvittaya School, Narathiwat on August 11. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Pattani - August 22, 2005 Mr. John reports: Assassinate the soldier: The officers investigate the area after bandits planted a bomb near the Ban Buejor Road, Takeh Mu 1. Ban Buejor, Thambon Bangpi, Amphur Yaring, Pattani. The bomb went off as four soldier safety officers of Rattanrungsun, Ranong were on patrol. The power of the bomb injured Sgt. Niwat Ratchinpon, 24-years-old, slightly on his arm and leg. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Going to the south with Thaksin - August 8, 2005 Last Sunday, PM Thaksin Shinawatra visited people in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat to find a way to solve the problem of people being afraid to work on Friday. On August 18-19, the PM visited in the area again and asked people to sell things on Friday. Meanwhile there is the unrest in Yala. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Southern conflict marked by a profound sense of history - The Nation, August 22, 2005 It's Monday and time for another blistering editorial from Chang Noi... On his recent trip to the South, Thaksin told the people of Tak Bai to forget the events of the recent past and begin a new life. A few years ago, in his speech on the opening of the monument to the uprising of October 14, 1973, Thaksin urged that now the monument had finally been built after years of controversy, people should forget the incident and the controversy and look to the future... (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: On patrol in Yala - August 18, 2005 A bomb injures a ranger: The bad guy plants a bomb in front of a school in Yala wanting to kill the rangers who patrol. Luckily they passed the point of the hidden bomb before it exploded so they were only slightly injured. After that the bad guys planned to steal guns from a house in Kronpinang, but the owner did not keep the gun at house his house. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Let them watch cable: Thailand to install TVs in restive south - AFP, August 16, 2005 Thai authorities have announced their latest plan to stem rampaging violence in three Muslim southern provinces: get residents hooked on cable TV. The government's latest southern scheme, a cooperation with private cable television operator United Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), would see TVs set up in community centres and shops across Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces hit by violence that has left 850 people dead since early 2004. ...Kongsak said the tactic could encourage local teenagers to become interested in sports and exercise rather than become obsessed with fomenting unrest, and brushed off suggestions it would encourage youths to gamble on football matches. "I am convinced that there will be no gambling because they do not even have money to buy television sets," he said... (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Pattani - August 8, 2005 Mr John reports: Ask for peace: Many thousand of peoples in the three southern border provinces, (Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat) joined to do a ceremony of Lamad Hayat which is a chant asking the blessing from God to bring peace to area. This is also dedicated to the Queen' s birthday--national Mother's Day. There was news that the bad guys distributed leaflets in Yala and threatened people not to join the ceremony. Also: PM seeking 'media blackout' on insurgent reprisal letters - TNA, August 15, 2005 Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Monday asked the press to refrain from reporting on leaflets threatening reprisal attacks against local traders in insurgency-affected areas, warning that by doing so, the media was itself acting as an insurgent mouthpiece, multiplying a few messages and magnifying their effect on an already fearful business community... (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Training in the deep south - August 8-11, 2005 Mr. John reports: Rushing training: The General Headquarters of the Provincial Constabulary, Region 9, organized a special operations training for small combat units for provincial constabulary police stations in the three southern provinces. This training started in July, 2005 in 12 stages. One stage is four days. 1740 persons will go through he training. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) 2Bangkok.com secrets: Million baht kris - August 15, 2005 Dr. Has reports: This is a kris from Kalantan, Malaysia. The owner said he bought it from a scion of an ancient royal house of Pattani state and it cost costs about one million baht. The reason for buying it was that he was afraid that the kris would be in the hands of a person who did not appreciate its historical value. (Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Bomb in Narathiwat - August 11, 2005 Mr. John reports: Above: In Narathiwat, a bomb exploded at a bus stop and two soldiers were injured, shortly after 8am this morning. The bus stop was near Saengtham Witthaya School in Sungai Kolok. Below: One the soldiers being taken to hospital. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Bomb in Pattani - August 9, 2005 Mr. John reports: August 9, Bomb in Pattani - A 10 kg bomb detonated at noon in a restaurant 30 meters from a school (above). The bomb was set off with a mobile phone. Three school directors and one other were eating at the restaurant and were injured. Update The Nation is now carrying this story as well with slightly different details: Blast razes police-owned eatery; six hurt - The Nation, August 10, 2005 Almost like being there: Pattani - August 6, 2005 Mr. John reports: Raising the level of Songkhla Nakarin University (Pattani branch) - On August 6 in Pattani, the representative of students of Songkhla Nakarin, Pattani branch, came to thank Mr. Jaturon Chaisaeng, Education Minister, who confirmed he would support Pattani Branch to be independent and have it be declared 'Pattani University.' He will present this issue at the next House of Representatives meeting. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Chang Noi's translation of the State of Emergency Decree - Chang Noi, August 6, 2005 State of Emergency Decree, English translation (pdf) ...[This unofficial translation is based on the Thai text from the Government Gazette of 16 July 2005, and was made with assistance from a lawyer. It uses many of the same technical terms as the unofficial translation from the Geneva embassy, but is deliberately more literal and less legalistic for easier comprehension. It may make more sense than the Thai which is often ungrammatical, inconsistent, vague, and obscure. Any errors or improvements, please send to: chang_noi@hotmail.com. On 19 July 2005, the government declared an “extreme” state of emergency under section 11 in the three southern provinces for three months, but waived section 9, section 11(v), and section 11(vi).]... Almost like being there: Pattani - August 5, 2005 Mr. John reports: August 5-7 - Mr. Anand Panyarachun, Chairperson of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) and his team had a big meeting in Pattani following up on 14 principles to solve the unrest problem in the southern border province. He also visited people in the area (left). He specified that the government should give a chance for the leaders of two religions to have a role in solving the problems. He said that after appearing on TV with the PM he feels less pressure from his work than before. Almost like being there: Pattani - August 9, 2005 Mr. John reports: Mr. Jaturon Chaisaeng, Education Minister and on the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), speaks in Pattani. He comments that setting up the center for missing people in the three southern border provinces should be under the Justice Ministry. Because if it is under control of the National Police Office, it will not be trusted since the police have been involved with people who disappeared in the area. (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Bt10,000 reward for tip-off on leaflet distributors in Pattani -TNA, August 5, 2005 Local authorities in Thailand's southern border province of Pattani have offered a cash reward of Bt10,000 for a tip-off leading to the arrest of persons involved in distributing leaflets threatening local traders with reprisals if they do not stop selling on Fridays... Only some shops have stopped working on Friday because they are confused with rumours spread by ill-intentioned people... (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Pattani - August 3, 2005 Mr. John reports: The Reporter's Association of Thailand cooperated with the Southern Newspaper Association of Thailand and Network of Southern Newspaper Editors to start the "Project of Peace Media: Southern Desk." The target is to help people in the three southern border provinces by allowing reporters to have more prestige from working as a team. This will prevent them from being blamed by the government under the new emergency decree. To do this they will set up a "front-line editor" at Songkhlanakarin University, Pattani branch so as to continue to present news in a variety of opinions and maintaining rights and freedom for the newspaper professionals under the emergency decree. Left: Mr. Chaiyong Maneerungsakun, President of the Southern Newspaper Association of Thailand (Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) Almost like being there: Yala - August 1, 2005 Dr. Has reports: The violence in the deep south makes teachers in the three southern border provinces transfer out of the region and results in a shortage of teachers. The government solves the problem by offering jobs to part-time teachers to replace them. The photos show teachers applying at one school in Amphur Raman, Yala. Also: Schools in far South fight for teachers - Move to cut shortages leads to new headache - Bangkok Post, July 28, 2005 Teachers at private Islamic religious schools have resigned en masse to apply for vacant posts at state-run educational institutes in the restive deep South, giving the Education Ministry a new headache... Exodus of non-Muslims from South Thailand - soc.culture.singapore, August 2, 2005 Wisarut points out this rather inflammatory newsgroup post: ...Effectively, these south most villages are now under the rule of Islamic clergy. Outside the township like Hat Yai, the local Muslims obey the new rule by Islamic clergy and Shariah laws, and they completely ignore the authorities from Bangkok. The police, many of whom are non-Muslims, fear for their own life. They are not capable of protecting the life and property of non-Muslim. Southern Thailand(south of Hat Yai) for all intent and purposes, is a defacto Islamic State, independent of Thailand. Troubles in the South index page