The battle to win hearts and minds in the deep South

It is no secret that the BRN Coordinate has been identified as the secret organisation, spreading separatist ideas in order to create an independent Pattani state. If Thai authorities declare war against the BRN Coordinate, they would automatically be recognising its status. If they refrain from naming this organisation publicly as the prime enemy, they would lack focus in the formulation of a strategy, militarily, politically, socially, economically, to deal with the insurgency for 2010.

There was a growing recognition that Thai authorities should name the separatist movement under the leadership of the BRN Coordinate. This secret organisation has already devised a blueprint for an administrative and parliamentary framework for an independent Pattani state, which would also include Yala and Narathiwat. Other neighbouring provinces could also fall prey to this subversive plot.

At a smaller scale, the authorities are fighting against the RKK, which represents the militant operation unit of the insurgents. The youngsters have also been recruited into "ayah" as a small cell created to execute various terrorist activities. It is not easy for the authorities to deal with the RKK, which can devise its own terrorist attacks and enjoy flexibility in its operation. The authorities don't know the face of the insurgents. The militants get their funding by collecting Bt1 a day from homes of Muslim families. Many of them have also received training abroad, such as Indonesia.

Still, drug trafficking, unlawful activities and economic hardship have complicated the problems of the three southern provinces, not to mention the insurgents receiving support from local and national politicians, academics and other activists. Ramkhamhaeng University has also been identified as a venue which the separatists have penetrated to build up their influence and broaden their support network.

In the three southern provinces, it is a war zone. Some 60,000 military and security officials, including civilian volunteers, have been deployed to counter the insurgency. It is a costly war, which weighs down on the morale of the whole nation. There are some 1.8 million Muslim-Thais in the three southern provinces, compared to around 150,000 Buddhist Thais. Yet the authorities down there have been working hard day and night to win this war, which in the end is all about winning the hearts and minds of the people.

Since his appointment as commander of the Fourth Army Region, Lt-General Phichet Visaijorn has stressed development over military means in keeping with His Majesty the King's broad guideline seeking understanding of the people, winning their hearts and minds, and helping develop the people's well-being.

"I have been through many wars. I don't think using force will work in every case. We need also to rely on development to improve their well-being and to bring the people to our side," Phichet said.

To win this war in the South, the authorities will need to win support from the local people. They probably will need to name the organisation behind the terrorist acts. Through development, the authorities can play a part in improving the life of the local people so that there are no discrepancies between their standard of living and that of their Malaysian counterparts. The rule of law must be strictly enforced. The Muslim-Thais must share a sense of Thainess with the rest of the country.

Thai authorities are being handcuffed by the rule of law. They can't go about arresting any suspect or use force without evidence or justification. But the insurgents do not play by the rule. They can resort to violence by rampant shooting or remote-controlled bombing at any time of the day to suit their convenience. In the end, the authorities have to rely on patience and effective operation at the ground level to win over the local people to their side. Now they have access to most of the villages. More and more villagers are becoming more friendly with the authorities because they disapprove violence.

For those who have sided with the insurgents, the Thai authorities are willing to give them a chance. The Muslim youth go through a rehabilitation programme before they are sent back to their homes. The authorities have also devised a sufficiency economic programme for Muslim-Thais so that they learn how to make the best use of their land and resources.

It is imperative that the Southern violence must be contained. Any attempt to elevate it to regional or international levels must be dealt with decisively.