Published on July 18, 2005
The South grows more violent each day, but still there is no comprehensive strategy
The situation in the deep South has deteriorated even further, with a series of incidents involving scores of local militants last week. The malaise actually goes deeper. Residents, officials, doctors, business people and others have become increasingly suspicious even of those close to them or who work with them.
They are becoming unsure who they are talking to and even how to interpret what they say. What does this signify? In a community where there is no trust among the members there can only be anarchy, which will play even more into the hands of the separatists and terrorists. The controversial state of emergency declared by the government is an admission of its failure to improve the situation. The absolute power given to the prime minister is no recipe for peace.
Various scenarios can be imagined for the three southernmost provinces. First are heavy crackdowns on communities and individuals thought to be involved in daily assassinations and attacks on public places. This would lead to more hatred and intensify acts of revenge as the rule of law is bypassed. The power to black out the media could lead to more abuses as the rule of law is ignored. We could even end up with a scenario very similar to that of Northern Ireland or Kosovo, in which case the option of autonomy or even total separation would become not just a reality but indeed a bargain if it meant an end to increasingly intolerable levels of violence. At the other end of the spectrum is the exercise of power by the prime minister to put the government’s own house in order. The deep South can be viewed as a case of continuous communal violence, with injustice from the state and the authorities instilling a sense of alienation and hatred. But a common strategy is still far from in place. The most strategic action to reduce the level of violence has been ignored, especially the proposal to bring the officials responsible for the Krue Se and Tak Bai incidents to justice. Sincerity, as frequently called for by the National Reconciliation Commission, has been less than forthcoming. Is this a matter of incompetence in the very top echelons of government or a hidden intention not to bring reconciliation to the South? The situation in the deep South is reaching, if it has not already reached, the point of no return. But what could transcend everything is a belief in peace, which can be achieved. And peace should be pursued at all costs. That means forgive and forget. Muslim, Buddhist and secular leaders could all join hands, displaying not only to the unhappy southerners but to citizens all across the country that they are able to work together to bring peace. Sincerity must be upheld and built upon at any price, including an amnesty for wrongdoers on both sides. We don’t know what passes through the mind of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He has not matched words to deeds thus far in bringing peace to the region. ---------------------------------------------------- Another airport scandal A new corruption scandal involving Suvarnabhumi Airport is hardly a surprise. But the latest one to emerge promises to grab no less attention than did the CTX-procurement controversy, because of its dramatic details and the whispered names of people allegedly involved. Already, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been under pressure to launch an investigation, and the issue is drawing an alliance of politicians, political activists and anti-government bureaucrats, all of whom are sharpening their knives. Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr said a complaint dated January 28 was sent to Government House asking for Thaksin’s help. The complainant, an executive of a private company, claimed that a government leader’s sister and a politician had demanded a Bt300-million “commission”. They promised future assistance for the company’s attempts to win a contract worth more than Bt1 billion to provide furniture for Suvarnabhumi Airport. The complainant had allegedly paid Bt25 million to the pair, only to discover later that he would lose the bidding. The complainant reportedly has a VCD showing himself discussing the difficulty he was having in rustling up enough money to pay the kickback. This latest scandal allegedly involves intimidation and suicide threats. Copies of the VCD have been limited to a few people. But as Alongkorn, who is being challenged to publicise it, appears ready to call the bluff, Thai politics apparently is in for another big treat. A new storm is gathering for the Thaksin administration.
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