Southern Thailand Southern Thailand BombingBombing

Chan Tuck GingChew HansonXiong Xingyu

ContentsContentsBackgroundCausesImpactsRole of UNRole of governmentsLessons for SingaporeTerrorism as a challenge to world security

Measures taken

BackgroundBackgroundThe South Thailand insurgency is an Islamist

separatist insurgency which is taking place in the predominantly Malay Pattani region, made up of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand.

Violence is increasingly spilling over into other provinces. Although separatist violence has occurred for decades in the region, the campaign escalated in 2004.

Causes of the InsurgencyCauses of the InsurgencyConflict started out as a post-World War II

secessionist struggle led by various groups of secular, ethnic, socialist and nationalist ideologies—has today been transformed into an Islamist style insurgency against the secular politics of Thailand’s Buddhist-dominated state.

Islamic states

Causes of the InsurgencyCauses of the Insurgency Islam has a long history in the Pattani region of

southern Thailand. It was brought to maritime South-East Asia in the 13th century by traders from India. Over the next four centuries, Islam consolidated its presence in the region.

This presented opportunities for radicals to offer new interpretations of Islam and to put forward strong views about Islam’s political position.

As a result of this interpretation, the conflict in the Pattani region is increasingly presented as a religious struggle between Muslims and Buddhists

Causes of BombingCauses of BombingAfter Thaksin was elected prime minister in

2001, his first priorities was to assert his authority in the South.

He immediately set about changing the political and security arrangements in the region.

Thaksin was convinced that violence in the South was no longer political in character but essentially criminal.

Causes of BombingCauses of Bombing In the South the campaign helped to further

destabilize the situation at a time of change and when the police were growing increasingly aggressive in their policies toward the Malay Muslim community.

As Thaksin’s reforms were implemented there was a rise in the incidence of violence in the South.

Finally, the insurgency demonstrated its views through means of violence.

Tak Bai Incident (October Tak Bai Incident (October 2004)2004)6 men arrested for supplying

weapons

Demonstration demanded release

Army called in◦Shooting◦Mass-arresting

Stacked 5 or 6 deep in the trucks 78 men suffocated

Reaction to Tak BaiReaction to Tak BaiMuslims and Malaysia appalled at

the army’s behaviour

Protests from the South

Thaksin defended army◦Claim that they were fasting, hence

too weak

Impacts on Thailand Impacts on Thailand The 2007 South Thailand bombings were a

series of bombings that hit Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala during the Chinese New Year celebrations on February 18 and 19.

At least seven people were killed. The bombings were the first time the rebels had simultaneously struck all four southern provinces.

The attacks targeted mostly residential and business establishments owned by Buddhists or ethnic Chinese.

Role of UNRole of UNMaintain security of region

◦Ask different nations to co-operate in stopping terrorism

The UN Congress◦Brought > 3000 delegates to

Thailand◦To discuss issues

Role of Thailand Role of Thailand GovernmentGovernmentProtect region from more danger

◦Increase security◦Attempt to negotiate with the

terrorist groups◦Discuss with other nations

Identify causes and fix it◦Asked Malaysia to stop terrorist

training camps in Kelantan

Role of Malaysian Role of Malaysian GovernmentGovernmentCo-operate with Thailand government

To not let the terrorists escape into Malaysia◦Increase security near border

Resolve issue of dual-nationality◦People in region share strong ethnic,

religious, linguistic and cultural bonds with Malaysia

Lessons for SingaporeLessons for SingaporeTerrorism is a threat to

Singapore’s economic success◦Multi-racial◦Incident very close to home

Muslim community

Racial harmony is important◦Understanding and accepting each

other

Evaluation of measures Evaluation of measures takentakenThere had been several call for

negotiation of peace◦Unwilling to allow for secession◦Special Administration Zones

allowed

Ineffective as opposing leader is strongly for independence – did not respond to calls

Evaluation of measures Evaluation of measures takentakenLarge amount of international

support

Indicates the willingness of countries to work together to stop terrorism

A united world

Evaluation of measures Evaluation of measures takentakenThai military and police still

taking an aggressive stand

Unable to respond effectively

Hard for insurgents to cooperate

The way forwardThe way forwardChanging political strategy to

gain support from Malay Muslim community

Must recognize the structural problems in the Patani region (eg poverty, education) and also the differences in religion, ethnicity etc.

ReferencesReferences http://

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

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_South_Thailand_bombings BBC News CNN.com/asia PolitInfo.com The Jamstown Foundation GlobalSecurity.org Smartraveller.gov.au

Thank you!Thank you!