The Wire

Thinking about Thailand, it’s easy to imagine crystal clear tropical water, lapping up to deserted beaches of golden sand, with days punctuated by red curries, friendly locals and gorgeous sunsets. But recently, this idyllic region has been disrupted by violence between different ethnic groups. In the early 1900’s, an ethnic-Muslim minority of Malay origins made their homes in Thailand, and since then Muslim culture has experienced both good and bad relations with the Thai government. In the 1960’s, parts of the Malay minority decided to take up arms in an effort to create a separate Muslim state. While in the 1980’s and 90’s, the increase in Thai democratic participation brought calm to the region, when active political forums included Muslim leaders in the political process. These forums were disbanded in 2002, despite the return of violence in December 2001. This year, there have been over three hundred and forty deaths in the provinces of Southern Thailand. Although no groups have claimed responsibility for the violence – which mainly targeted police – there are many theories circulating as to the reasons behind its re-emergence….and just this week a new head of security for the region was appointed by the Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in an effort to quell the rising tensions. Dr John Funston, Assistant Director of the National Thai Studies Center at the Australian National University, explained the situation.