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July 19, 2006

Thailand: Smoke, Stress And Death In Muslim South

Our last report on the violence in the southern provinces of Thailand was on July 16. Since then, a new Emergency Decree has been ordered, which will continue for another three months.

The decree was ordered yesterday, and reported by Associated Press in Baku Today. Chidchai Vanasathidya (Wannasathit), the caretaker deputy prime minister said: "Emergency rule is still necessary to protect public lives and properties." Surapong Suebwonglee, a government spokesperson, said that the Emergency Rule, which has been continually renewed since last year, is vital for dealing with the insurgency. He stated that 100 attacks happen every month.

The Emergency Decree rulings allow for suspects to be detained without charge, often without evidence, for 30 days. Some in the south view the rulings as detrimental to stability, and other critics see it as a sign of caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's "heavy-handedness". Over the last three months, 604 suspects have been arrested without warrants. 472 have been linked to the attacks, Surapong said, and the others are still being investigated.

Today, TNA English News reports that the US based rights group, Human Rights First issued a report condemning the rulings. The report stated: "It is clear that the measure has weakened essential human-rights protections, further fuelling the violence in southern Thailand."

Maureen Byrnes, executive director of HRF, said: "Thailand's reputation on human rights is at risk because it is not addressing serious abuses in its southern provinces, including arbitrary detention and disappearances" She also noted that 20 human rights activists have been killed or have disappeared over the past five years in the region. The most famous case was that of Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit, who "disappeared" on 12 March 2004.

We reported that a policeman was convicted of his murder on January 12, though the body of Somchai has never been found. The following day, Thaksin said: "I know that Somchai is dead, and more than four government officials were involved, but witnesses and evidence are still being collected." Shortly after the lawyer had last been seen being bundled into a car by police, Thaksin had claimed: "Somchai had disputes with his wife. Perhaps, he just wants to be away from his family problems for a while."

The Bangkok Post for Tuesday quoted Surapan Prapkree, a health center worker, who states that stress in the region is taking its toll on the locals' mental health in the south. She reported that there had been a 30% increase of people with mental health problems. She blamed the increase in food and fuel costs, and the instability and violence of the region. She said that more psychologists were being drafted into the south to help address the problem.

On Monday, states TNA English News General Chidchai admitted that the violence in the south had escalated. He placed his confidence in Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who is charged to quell the unrest in the south, a task formerly held by Chidchai himself. He said that they needed to improve intelligence in the region.

On Tuesday, Chidchai stated that although SIM cards for mobile telephones were now compulsorily registered, it had not stopped the use of such phones as triggers for bombs.

Yesterday, states TNA English News, General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin (pictured) warned that there could be an increase of violence in the predominantly Muslim south, as people reacted to the current situation in the Middle East, affecting Israel and Lebanon. He said: "I've told the southern authorities to prepare measures and adequate forces to deal with any impact from the conflict in the region based on a precautious basis."

The insurgent attacks continue unabated.

Late on Saturday, an unnamed man was stabbed and thrown into a river in Muang district, Pattani, states IHT Thai Day.

On Monday 16 July, a 40-year old former village headman from Kapho district in Pattani province was shot dead as he drove with his wife in their pickup truck. On the Sai Buri to Johgueyae road, a motorcycle approached, and the pillion rider shot at them. Mahama Siroryuding Vani was hit, but his wife, a 36-year old teacher, escaped unhurt.

Yesterday, in Khok Pho district in Pattani province, two people were critically injured in insurgent attacks. 57-year old Yuan Suwankuha, a construction worker was shot. Also attacked was 32-year old Prim Songkiang, a fruit grower.

In Sai Buri district in Pattani, two electricity company workers escaped after a drive -by shooting attack on Tuesday afternoon.

Larb Kongsuwan, a telephone company employee was shot by gunmen in Sai-buri district in Pattani province while working yesterday. He was injured, and his assailants escaped.

To add to the woes of the south, there is currently a haze of smoke and smog, which is affecting visibility in some regions, and affecting air quality, states Bangkok Post and TNA ENglish News. The smog is being caused by forest fires on Sumatra in Indonesia. The blame for these fires is said to be laid at the door of local farmers, who use "slash and burn" methods in their agriculture.

The southwesterly winds bringing the smoke have died down, but the local meteorological office says that the smog will continue as the fires have not yet died down.

Songkhla province is the worst affected region, and here Dr. Kritha Thamkampee at Songkhla Nakharin hospital is examining patients with respiratory disease, probably brought on by the smoke. He warned children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments, allergies and heart conditions to avoid the haze.

Air quality in Satun, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat had also deteriorated. On Monday, the numbers of Sumatran fires had jumped from 103 to 170.

The insurgency, which seeks to have Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani provinces secede from Thailand, began on Jan 4, 2004, and has now claimed 1,400 lives. The insurgents believe in the re-establishment of the former sultanate of Pattani, which used to be independent, and comprised the territory of the three provinces, as well as two districts of adjacent Songhkla district. Following an invasion, the sultanate of Pattani was officially annexed into Thailand a century ago.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at July 19, 2006 7:56 AM

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