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SOUTHERN UNREST: Ministers march for business
Frightened Muslim traders keep their shops closed despite government pleas
Four government ministers paraded down South yesterday to promote government-organised discount markets as part of a campaign to restore confidence among residents of the three southernmost provinces.
But fear continues to keep its grip upon the people of the restive region, where more than 800 people have been killed since January 2004.
Deputy Transport Minister General Chaiyanan Charoensiri visited stores in Pattani. Deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana attended a fair in Narathiwat. In Yala, Deputy Education Minister Rung Kaewdaeng and Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Charnveerakul met local merchants and gave away first-aid kits to households.
Despite their efforts, most Muslim-owned shops as well as petrol stations, local taxis and the main fish market in Pattani were closed for business yesterday in spite of pleas from the government not to heed the demands of insurgents who threatened to kill any Muslims who worked on Friday or to cut off their ears.
Local Buddhists, although not targeted by the threat, also ceased business operations because of low customer turnout.
One of the few Muslim market vendors who were brave enough to show up for work said she didn’t have much choice.
“Yes, I am afraid of bombs too,” said Kadah, a poulterer who asked that her last name not be used, “but I don’t have much choice. If I don’t do it, my children will not have anything to eat.”
Another Muslim vendor, Rohsa, who also declined to give her last name, said she had decided to give in to the insurgents’ demand in spite of pleas from her regular customers to open up her food stall.
“If anything happens to me, my children will be orphans, and who will look after them?” she asked.
While traditional outlets were deserted, the government succeeded in using staple goods such as rice, sugar and eggs discounted at 50 to 70 per cent to generate a high turnout at the 10 designated commercial centres. Here the ministers observed long lines of people queuing up at sales counters.
At a government-sponsored outlet in Rangae district, customers stood in line under the hot sun for hours to buy the discounted goods.
“I have been here since five this morning, and I am still waiting,” said Dej Chaidaeng. It was nearly noon when he spoke to The Nation.
In Narathiwat municipality, some shops took extra precautions by installing video cameras to deter insurgents from attacking.
“It’s worth the investment,” said Poohua-ai Saepoo, 73, owner of a popular restaurant. “I can monitor all movement, and if I find any suspicious person, I can report him to the police before anything unpleasant happens.”
Fisheries, the biggest industry in the region next to rubber, also took a serious beating.
Pattani’s fishing pier was deserted as most workers, who are Muslims, stopped working on Friday.
“There were boats docking at the pier but not enough workers to sort the fish,” said Soikaew Peekaew, a boat-owner. “Even the buyers are not turning up.”
The industry has been severely affected by rising fuel prices, and the militants’ threats only make matters worse, she added.
Amornrat Khemkhao
The Nation
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