Published on October 18, 2005

Foreign Minister Kantathi Supamongkhon lashed out yesterday at Malaysia for making negative comments about the Thai government’s handling of the insurgency in the deep South, accusing Kuala Lumpur of insincerity.

“To our disappointment, Malaysia has been persistently contradicting itself on our calls to use diplomatic channels to communicate on bilateral ties rather than via the mass media,” Kantathi said in a statement.

“It is apparent that Malaysia is keen to criticise the Thai government rather than express a sincere desire to resolve the problem jointly,” he said.

On Sunday, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Mamid Albar was reported to have called on the Thai government to be “mature” about a call by Malaysian Muslim activists for a boycott of Thai goods over Thai authorities’ handling of the Muslim insurgency in Thailand’s South. Albar said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had overreacted by alleging the activists were either insurgents or conspiring with them.

Relations between the two governments hit a low when in late August, 131 Thai Muslims fled beyond Thailand’s southern border with Malaysia, saying they feared for their lives. Bangkok demanded their repatriation, but Malaysia said it would only send them back after Thailand guaranteed their safety.

Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Vanasathidya is to visit Malaysia on October 25 to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, suspected insurgents shot dead a Muslim village chief in the South yesterday. Gunmen armed with assault rifles opened fire on the man, a government supporter, while he was heading to a local mosque, police said.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

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