Showing 221 - 230 of 270
South suffers fearful Friday
News, Published on 10/10/2012
» The gangs of the deep South have revived an old and intimidating tactic in recent weeks. Their propagandists and front men have told businesses in the region that Islam forbids work on the Friday day of prayer. Anyone performing commerce on Friday risks violence, the gangs have threatened. Two Fridays ago, a bomb at a Yala gold shop apparently backed up the threats with force.
Infrastructure needs bipartisan cooperation
News, Published on 07/10/2012
» In announcing the 2.75 trillion baht infrastructure spending plan, the largest in the history of the country, to facilitate the launch of the Asean Economic Community and the economic expansion of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was certain to command the attention of the nation. Being associated in the minds of voters with dramatic initiatives is usually a good strategy for a political leader, but now comes the hard part: Ms Yingluck must convince the public that the country stands to gain from spending the massive amount, most of which will come from loans, and fill in the picture with considerably more detail. She must explain to the country the value of specific projects to be funded. Above all, it should be laid out from the first what safeguards will be in place to ensure transparency.
Lifting decree merits thought
News, Published on 27/09/2012
» The defection of 93 former Islamic militants who were brought before the media at the Narathiwat provincial Islamic office on Sept 11 might have been seen as a photo-op for Lt Gen Udomchai Thammasarorach, commander of the 4th Army Region, to showcase his achievement in convincing the group to stop their armed struggle and turn over a new leaf.
Religious identity and the South
News, Published on 17/09/2012
» After the end of the cold war and while the capitalism-vs-socialism conflict was subsiding, many more issues emerged that were dubbed as either religious or ethnic conflicts. But I would argue that the nature of those conflicts is still primarily political, while ethnicity and religions are contributing factors. According to one estimate, there have been about 100 violent political conflicts (with 100 deaths or more per year) since 1990. More than half persist till today, while new ones emerge. The conflict in the southernmost region of Thailand is one of them.
Don't be lulled by defections
News, Published on 13/09/2012
» Against the backdrop of the senseless violence which has gripped the deep South for more than eight years, the presence in public of a group of 93 former militants offering to cease their struggle and turn over a new leaf at the Provincial Islamic Committee Office in Narathiwat on Tuesday was indeed a welcome sight.
Neighbourly spirit needed to stop violence
News, Achara Ashayagachat, Published on 12/09/2012
» The death toll in the South will never stop rising, unless two key players _ the Thai military and Malaysian authorities _ change their attitudes.
Discuss plan for South
News, Published on 11/09/2012
» Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has proposed that the governors of the three southern border provinces be elected to better deal with the southern unrest.
The argument for autonomy
News, Published on 10/09/2012
» The renewed proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung to allow residents of the deep South to elect their provincial governors has twin merits. The idea itself is more democratic. The appointment of provincial governors is traditional, but the exceptions show there is some natural advantage of an appointed governor over an elected one.
Highlights of the week
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 07/09/2012
» Widespread rain caused the cancellation of the flood drill in Bangkok on Friday morning, to the relief of people to the east of the city, but corruption was the topical issue on Thursday with a talk show and an opinion poll exposing an alarming apathy among Thai youth, and the police officer who tried to help a tycoon's son hide behind a scapegoat in a fatal hit-and-run is suspended from active duty.
Setbacks in the South
News, Published on 03/09/2012
» If anyone still thinks the security situation in the deep South is improving, the last month has provided a wake-up call. The month of Ramadan, which ended two weeks ago, saw almost daily setbacks for the region. Since then, however, it has got worse.