Background of the insurgency South Thailand insurgency

1 background of insurgency

1.1 historical background
1.2 forced assimilation , local nationalism
1.3 21st century: violence expands , intensifies
1.4 main incidents after 2001 insurgency upsurge
1.5 timeline

background of insurgency

malay muslim provinces in southern thailand northern malaysia.







































historical background

despite ethnic affinity of people of patani region malay neighbours south, old patani kingdom led sultans historically preferred pay tribute distant siamese kings in bangkok. many centuries king of siam restricted himself exacting periodic tribute in form of bunga mas, ritual trees gold leaves , flowers symbolic acknowledgement of siamese suzerainty, leaving patani rulers largely alone.

forced assimilation , local nationalism

thai rule on historical patani region confirmed anglo-siamese treaty of 1909. until 20th century, government in bangkok had interfered little locally, relying on local officials implementation of policies within patani region. included exemption in implementing thai civil law, had allowed muslims continue observance of local islamic laws regarding issues on inheritance , family. however, 1934 marshall plaek phibunsongkhram set in motion of process of thaification had objective cultural assimilation of patani people, among other ethnic groups in thailand.

the national culture act enforced result of thaification process, promoting concept of thai-ness , centralist aims. mandate 3 directly aimed @ patani people. 1944, thai civil law enforced throughout land including patani region, over-riding earlier concessions local islamic administrative practices. school curriculum revised thai-centric, lessons in thai language, detriment of local jawi. traditional muslim courts formerly handled civil cases removed , replaced civil courts run , approved central government in bangkok. forced assimilation process , perceived imposition of thai-buddhist cultural practices upon society irritants ethnic malay patani.

in 1947, haji sulong, founder of patani people’s movement, launched petition campaign, demanding autonomy, language, , cultural rights, , implementation of islamic law. in january 1948, sulong arrested on treason charges along other local leaders branded separatist . sulong released jail in 1952, disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1954.

denied recognition culturally separate ethnic minority, patani leaders reacted against thai government policy towards them. inspired ideologies such nasserism, in 1950s patani nationalist movement began grow, leading south thailand insurgency. 1959, tengku jalal nasir established patani national liberation front (bnpp), first malay rebel group. @ time of foundation goal of nationalist movements, such patani united liberation organisation (pulo) established in 1968, secession. emphasis laid in pursuing armed struggle towards independent state patani people live dignity without having alien cultural values imposed on them.

the last third of 20th century saw emergence of different insurgent groups in south. despite differences in ideology shared broadly separatist aims, justified use of violence reach goals, setting pattern of attacking police , military posts, schools , thai government offices. effectiveness of these groups marred, however, infighting , lack of unity among them.

21st century: violence expands , intensifies

a resurgence in violence pattani guerrilla groups began after 2001. while region s traditional separatist insurgents had flags, leaders, claimed responsibility attacks, , made communiques, new groups attacked more viciously , kept silent. new development disoriented , confused thai authorities, kept groping in dark identity of new insurgents in conflict remained mystery. thailand held relatively free elections in february 2005, no secessionist candidates contested results in south. in july same year, chairman of narathiwat islamic committee admitted, attacks well-organised, not know group of people behind them. despite of shroud of anonymity , absence of concrete demands, revived groups, such gmip, , particularly brn-coordinate , alleged armed wing, runda kumpulan kecil (rkk), have been identified leading new insurgency.

while earlier attacks typified drive-by shootings in patrolling policemen shot gunmen on passing motorcycles, after 2001 have escalated well-coordinated attacks on police establishments, police stations , outposts ambushed well-armed groups subsequently fleeing stolen arms , ammunition. other tactics used gain publicity shock , horror slashing death buddhist monks, bombing temples, beheadings, intimidating pork vendors , customers, arson attacks on schools, killing teachers , burning bodies.

current insurgent groups proclaim militant jihadism , not separatist more. led salafist hardliners, have extreme , transnational religious goals, such islamic caliphate, detriment of constructive cultural or nationalistic patani identity. salafi jihadist groups hostile cultural heritage , practices of traditional malay muslims, accusing them of being un-islamic. not concerned independent separate nation. instead immediate aim make patani region ungovernable.

the thai response insurgency has been hampered clumsy methods, lack of training in counter-insurgency, lack of understanding of local culture, , rivalries between police , army. many local policemen allegedly involved in local drug trade , other criminal activities, , army commanders bangkok treat them disdain. army responds attacks heavy-handed raids search muslim villages, results in reprisals. insurgents routinely provoke inexperienced thai government disproportionate responses, generating sympathy among muslim populace.

main incidents after 2001 insurgency upsurge

attacks after 2001 concentrated on installations of police , military. schools , other symbols of thai authority in region have been subject arson , bombing well. local police officers of ranks , government officials primary targets of seemingly random assassinations, 19 policemen killed , 50 incidents related insurgency in 3 provinces of pattani, yala, , narathiwat end of 2001. school teachers have been prime target. brn-c, through pejuang kemerdekaan patani paramilitary wing, has been main group behind murder of 157 teachers in southern border provinces between 2004 , 2013.

a massive security presence in region has failed stem daily violence, involving drive-by shootings or small bombings. when insurgents make show of strength—generally @ least every few months—they have eschewed large-scale attacks, preferring well-coordinated pinprick assaults @ many locations while avoiding direct clashes security forces.

in recent development 2 consecutive bombs detonated @ big c shopping mall in mueang pattani district on 9 may 2017 @ peak hour. 56 people wounded, including small children.

timeline