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November 13, 2005
Thailand: Two Muslims Killed by Islamists
From Radio Australia a report that two Muslims have been shot dead in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat. One of those killed was a former village chief, gunned down in front of his house.
The other Muslim was killed by two men in a drive-by shooting in the same province.
Both victims were assumed to be killed by Islamist militants. Agence France Presse states that Muslims are often killed by Islamists because they are seen as traitors, or collaborators with the Thai government.
Further news from Thailand, from the Bangkok Post. Anand Panyarachun, the chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission, has been touring the troubled south of the country, on a mission of consultation at Buddhist temples.
He visited Wat Phromprasit temple, which on Oct 16 sustained an attack in which an elderly Buddhist monk and two teenage boys had their throats slit and their bodies burned. Centuries-old statues of ogres had also been decapitated in the assault. There are only two people residing at the temple now. The abbott, Phra Maha Anuchato managed to escape, as did an 82-year old monk, Phra Phet, who escaped through a window.
73-year old Mr Anand has been hearing tales of worry from Buddhists. His agency is non-governmental, but seeks to rebuild relationships between Buddhists and Muslims. He stated that the government must do more to ensure the safety of Buddhist temples.
Since the October attack, soldiers have been stationed at the temple to prevent further trouble. We reported that on a tour of Narathiwat last week, Prime Minister Thaksin SInawatra promised that alarm systems would be installed in Buddhist temples.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at November 13, 2005 7:29 PM
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