Showing 1 - 10 of 14
Path to peace needs respect
Oped, Editorial, Published on 05/05/2022
» The relatively calm Ramadan in the restive deep South reminds us that peaceful dialogue, not arm-twisting or fighting battles, is the real recipe for ending conflicts.
Start South talks now
News, Editorial, Published on 22/01/2019
» The barbaric murder of monks by separatists in the deep South once again discredits their claim to be responsible enough to govern the region. Worse, it comes at a time when the Thai and Malaysian governments are again offering a coordinated olive branch and appeal to decency.
Clues scarce in the South
News, Editorial, Published on 02/01/2019
» Police, the Royal Thai Armed Forces and various security agencies have brought a huge credibility gap to the new upsurge of violence in the deep South. As of now, depending on which official has taken the podium, the bombings including the severing of Songkhla's iconic mermaid are political and non-political, either the work of separatist bandits or not, and have either a national or local motive -- but not both. Over the weekend, the Fourth Army commander said it might be local politicians, which seems a head-shaker.
Southern comfort
News, Editorial, Published on 06/03/2018
» A visit to several restive provinces in the deep South by a delegation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was more successful than anyone expected.
Stop attacks, or stop talks
News, Editorial, Published on 26/05/2017
» The bombing of a Big C Supercenter in Pattani on May 9 has perversely put the government on the back foot. The car bomb attack which wounded 59 innocent civilians has been condemned worldwide for its savagery. It also raised political questions without clear answers for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the regime. How the military proceeds in the coming days will probably determine whether there is even a slim chance of ending the southern violence.
Keep a lid on Songkran
News, Editorial, Published on 13/04/2017
» The Songkran Festival officially begins today. Unlike previous years, the water splashing activities especially in Bangkok will take place in regulated calmness thanks to a series of state orders that are driven by the need to promote road safety and curb traffic-related fatalities.
An example to emulate
News, Editorial, Published on 21/03/2017
» In 1959, young anti-Spain nationalists broke with decades of peaceful resistance and formed a terrorist group. Their group, Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (Basque Country and Freedom) is known as ETA. It has demanded separation and independence for regions sandwiched between northern Spain and southwestern France. In 2010 it renounced all violence and now has declared it will turn all weapons over to French and Spanish authorities on April 8.
New setbacks in the South
News, Editorial, Published on 12/09/2016
» It has been another bad week for the government in the deep South. Separatists are believed to be behind a vicious bombing attack that killed a five-year-old schoolgirl, her father and another bystander. It shocked the nation and drew outrage from around the world. Another bomb blew apart a railway car and stopped all rail traffic between southern Thailand and Malaysia. Then, men claiming to represent the bombers, told the press they were trying to sabotage efforts to negotiate peace in the violent region.
Agonising blow to peace
News, Editorial, Published on 09/09/2016
» A heartbreaking incident took place on Tuesday in Narathiwat when a motorcycle bomb went off at around school time, killing a five-year old girl along with her father and a street vendor.
Bomb probe in disarray
News, Editorial, Published on 22/08/2016
» It is almost two weeks since the Mother's Day bombings in Prachuap Khiri Khan and six provinces in the South and the investigations are not going well. Many of the errors in the Erawan investigation that drew widespread criticism are being repeated. Diverse agencies of the police, the armed forces and even the intelligence community are giving the impression they are competing to solve the case.