Political solutions to address violence in Southern Thailand

(January 08, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Despite the various violence attacks in Southern Thailand, I believe it’s inappropriate to categories the separatism struggle in Southern Thailand as an act of terrorist. International community shall not do injustice to separatism issues as an act of terrorism.

Violence in Southern Thailand is due to the absent of political solutions despite of hundreds of promises which was not materialised either by present of past Bangkok elites. It’s an openly known fact Southern Thailand formely an autonomous Malay Muslim Sultanate was annexed in 1902 by Bangkok administration. Administrative control over the south was abruptly instated by the central government in 1909 but there was no disruption for the practice of culture and language until the later Bangkok elites decided to centralise the education system which emphasized on Thai language, Buddhism and assimilation of southern Muslim into Thai-Bhuddist majority. Since then the decision inflame separatism, destabilized the peace in Southern Thailand.

Separatism will not come to the end by just killing the people who take arm to fight for the independence. Sri Lanka is the good example on this issue. Mahindra Rajapakse successfully has overcome the arm struggle of Tamil people of Eelam but he failed to silence the Tamilians aspirations voice. The aspirations will continue until Eelam prevail. Since 2004 more than 4000 people, both Buddhist, Muslims, civilians, separatist or government security personnel have been killed and thousands more wounded yet there are no strategic solutions to end the violence. The recent concluded joint visit by Malaysian and Thailand Prime Minister to conflict area was seen very prominent to give some confidence to the locals but violence still continue since then have jeopardise the peace initiative.

I believe higher level visit is not good enough to give confidence to Southern Thailand Muslims aspiration unless Bangkok elites prove they mean business. Southern Thailand need urgently political solutions and not military weapons. It’s never too late to mend Thailand constitution to legalise the autonomous for muslims region in Southern Thailand. What’s done can’t be undone but confessed faults are half-mended. May peace prevail in Southern Thailand.