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Violent attacks by Islamist insurgents in five mostly Moslem southern provinces
of Thailand have become an almost daily occurrence. Most of the attacks have
been aimed at government officials, military personnel, and teachers, as the
Islamists are opposed to any secular education. Schools as well as government
offices and military establishments are frequent targets. On a weekly basis,
casualties seem to be averaging some 5-8 dead and a score or so wounded. The
Thai government is trying to address the problem in a variety of ways, including
strengthening military presence, providing economic development, and reaching
out to more moderate Moslems, though this latter makes them targets of the
Islamists' wrath. As is the case in other countries, the violence is not
completely caused by Islamic radicalism. The religious angle is being used
because of the huge play the international media have given al Qaeda and Islamic
terrorism. But in southern Thailand, the main problem is economic (the area has
fallen behind the rest of the country) and ethnic (the people in these five
provinces are ethnic Malay and Moslem, rather than ethnic Thai and Buddhist like
the majority of Thais. The different languages, customs and appearance have
built resentments for generations, along with an outlaw mentality that has
created smuggling and other criminal gangs. So you have a lot of young people
who are angry, have weapons and are comfortable using them, and breaking the law
in general.
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