The below is a good read if you're interested in what is going on in
Southern Thailand and, why it may be taking so long to be resolved. I would say it explains about 80% of the problem. The remainder of the problem is true insurgency and AQ influence from Malaysia and/or Indonesia, and Thai people in power who are poorly educated and experienced with NO ONE in the local generation following them who is any better.
All the kids from wealthy families seem to stay in country XXX after university and will return here when it is time for them to retire, and buy a villa on many rai. The rest of the poorer population is subjected to an educational system manipulated and controlled to produce blue collar workers to feed the factories. To be intelligent, mentally gifted and poor in Thailand is the kiss of death for a kid. Pete
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Perspective/ ... pers01.php
THE PATH TO RECONCILIATION
Pete,
I havn't even looked through the whole article as it's written by TBP.
Their perspective is sadly lacking in any historical fact.
Yes, it's bad down there, but it has been for ages.
Does anyone know when PULO were formed? From the 1950's, if not before, I think. So, if anyone is thinking that the violence down south is a new thing, they're wrong. It's being going on for decades, unfortunately.
I havn't even looked through the whole article as it's written by TBP.
Their perspective is sadly lacking in any historical fact.
Yes, it's bad down there, but it has been for ages.
Does anyone know when PULO were formed? From the 1950's, if not before, I think. So, if anyone is thinking that the violence down south is a new thing, they're wrong. It's being going on for decades, unfortunately.
And as a Post Script to that, rather than editing my post.
What happened down there was totally wrong and it is brave of TBP to speak up about it.
However, to suggest in any way that these incidents, by themselves, are the root cause of unrest is erroneous.
I used to travel to Sungai Kolok regularly and 7 years ago it was "fun" between Hat Yai - south. There was always the chance that bridges would be blown up along the way. Army personnel were always very present on the train from Hat Yai - south.
I went down there many times and had nothing but hospitality from the locals, including food and drink at their "houses" before catching the train back north.
In those days, I never felt any aggravation towards me as a Westerner. I wouldn't want to be there now.
The separatist situation has been in the three southern provinces for ages - as I said. It's just the attitude of other areas of Thailand that have made the already existing problem really ugly again.
Hope that all makes sense, especially to those who have been down there.
What happened down there was totally wrong and it is brave of TBP to speak up about it.
However, to suggest in any way that these incidents, by themselves, are the root cause of unrest is erroneous.
I used to travel to Sungai Kolok regularly and 7 years ago it was "fun" between Hat Yai - south. There was always the chance that bridges would be blown up along the way. Army personnel were always very present on the train from Hat Yai - south.
I went down there many times and had nothing but hospitality from the locals, including food and drink at their "houses" before catching the train back north.
In those days, I never felt any aggravation towards me as a Westerner. I wouldn't want to be there now.
The separatist situation has been in the three southern provinces for ages - as I said. It's just the attitude of other areas of Thailand that have made the already existing problem really ugly again.
Hope that all makes sense, especially to those who have been down there.
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Bamboo Grove
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Agree with Lomu. The people there used to be very friendly, now I think they're mainly scared. Not many of them like to see all this violence.
I also used to go to Sungai Kolok quite often and I've travelled the whole south by buses, taxis and trains and never have I felt violence towards me there. But then again that was long time ago. Now during the last year I've only been to Hat Yai and Songkla and quick visits across the boarder at Sadao. These aren't the problem areas and people are still very friendly, no matter what their religion is.
I also used to go to Sungai Kolok quite often and I've travelled the whole south by buses, taxis and trains and never have I felt violence towards me there. But then again that was long time ago. Now during the last year I've only been to Hat Yai and Songkla and quick visits across the boarder at Sadao. These aren't the problem areas and people are still very friendly, no matter what their religion is.
Back in Bamboo Grove
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