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May 23, 2007

Thailand: Six Villagers Killed Today In Muslim South

The violence in southern Thailand has now been estimated to have killed a total of 2,200 people since January 4, 2004. On this date Muslim separatists attacked a military compound in Narathiwat province, killing 4 soldiers and stealing more than 300 weapons. On the same night, 20 schools were torched.

According to TNA English news, there are now more than 2,000 orphans as a result of insurgent violence, and 1,000 widows. The governor of Yala province gave compensation of 573,000 baht ($16,500) to 130 victims of the violence at a public ceremony.

The Secretary-General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission, Kasama Varawan Varawan Na Ayudaya has offered scholarships to 130 students from five schools in the southern provinces. The students will receive education at Bangkok in their final high school year, to prepare them for university. The education of students in the south has suffered as schools become targets of arson attacks, and are often closed for long periods due to the insurgency.

On Tuesday night (May 22) two schools in Narathiwat province were subjected to arson. One school building in Bankampongpeesae school was completely destroyed, in a blaze which was additionally fueled by burning tyres. At Banpalorbata school, molotov cocktails were used in the arson, but action by villagers helped to prevent the blaze spreading. A teacher's room and the library were destroyed. The Bankampongpeesae school, which currently has insufficient classroom space for 43 students as a result of the loss of one building, will reopen tomorrow.

Today's killings are reported by Reuters, TNA, the Nation, AFP and the Bangkok Post.

In Yala, four members of a Muslim family were discovered shot dead at a house in Ban Sapom Village in Tambon (borough) Patae in Yaha district at 6 am this morning. The four had been shot dead in the house last night, and their home had been set on fire. The eldest of the four people killed was Ma-useng Jehloh, a rubber tapper aged 56. His 21-year old daughter Nurahayati Jehloh, and his two teenaged nephews, 14-year old Kuseng Tuankorseng and 17-year old Tuwareasueaming Tuankorseng were found with him.

Two Buddhists were also killed today in drive-by shootings. One 40 year old was killed in Pattani province, and 48-year old Paijit Thongchuea was shot dead as he rode his motorcycle in Yala province.

Meanwhile, in Than To district of Yala province, a bomb was detonated outside Banbuathong mosque. The incident occurred as 10 Thai Rangers were passing in a vehicle to pick up teachers to escort them safely to school. After the explosion, insurgents shot at the soldiers. After an exchange of fire lasting 10 minutes, the gunmen retreated.

A similar event happened in Yala on Tuesday. A villager, Prapet Srimai, was shot dead by insurgents earlier in the day, and then his body and his motorcycle were set on fire.

When police and reporters arrived at the scene of the killing, a hidden bomb was detonated. Four policemen were injured, as were eight journalists, including a photographer from Time magazine. This man has been identified as Philip Blenkinsop, an Australian photographer. None of those injured in yesterday's blast received serious wounds.

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In other news on the Thai insurgency, it is reported by TNA news that General Boonsang Niempradit said yesterday that the authorities were investigating claims that Cambodian Muslims who have entered Thailand have links with the insurgents in the south.

Last week, Gen. Watanachai Chaimuanwong, an adviser to prime minister Surayud Chulanont had said that Islamists from Cambodia and Indonesia were training insurgents in the southern provinces.

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Thailand's Foreign Ministry has been monitoring Thai separatists living in Europe - particularly those in Sweden - for their involvement in the current violence. Yesterday General Sonthi Boonyaratglin instructed the cabinet to demand more information from Thai embassies in Europe about the activities of insurgents.

Tharit Charungvat, Foreign Ministry spokesman, said today that: "The groups we have followed and reported back to Bangkok are both previous generation of separatist such as member of the Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) and new generation no matter how they linked each other."

The foreign minister, Nitya Pibulsonggram, will be meeting his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt next week. The two will both be attending the Asia Europe Meeting in Hamburg, Germany.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at May 23, 2007 8:07 AM

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