southern thailand bombing
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Southern Thailand Bombing. Chan Tuck Ging Chew Hanson Xiong Xingyu. Contents. Background Causes Impacts Role of UN Role of governments Lessons for Singapore Terrorism as a challenge to world security Measures taken. Background. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Southern Thailand Southern Thailand BombingBombing
Chan Tuck GingChew HansonXiong Xingyu
ContentsContentsBackgroundCausesImpactsRole of UNRole of governmentsLessons for SingaporeTerrorism as a challenge to world security
Measures taken
BackgroundBackgroundThe South Thailand insurgency is an Islamist
separatist insurgency which is taking place in the predominantly Malay Pattani region, made up of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand.
Violence is increasingly spilling over into other provinces. Although separatist violence has occurred for decades in the region, the campaign escalated in 2004.
Causes of the InsurgencyCauses of the InsurgencyConflict started out as a post-World War II
secessionist struggle led by various groups of secular, ethnic, socialist and nationalist ideologies—has today been transformed into an Islamist style insurgency against the secular politics of Thailand’s Buddhist-dominated state.
Islamic states
Causes of the InsurgencyCauses of the Insurgency Islam has a long history in the Pattani region of
southern Thailand. It was brought to maritime South-East Asia in the 13th century by traders from India. Over the next four centuries, Islam consolidated its presence in the region.
This presented opportunities for radicals to offer new interpretations of Islam and to put forward strong views about Islam’s political position.
As a result of this interpretation, the conflict in the Pattani region is increasingly presented as a religious struggle between Muslims and Buddhists
Causes of BombingCauses of BombingAfter Thaksin was elected prime minister in
2001, his first priorities was to assert his authority in the South.
He immediately set about changing the political and security arrangements in the region.
Thaksin was convinced that violence in the South was no longer political in character but essentially criminal.
Causes of BombingCauses of Bombing In the South the campaign helped to further
destabilize the situation at a time of change and when the police were growing increasingly aggressive in their policies toward the Malay Muslim community.
As Thaksin’s reforms were implemented there was a rise in the incidence of violence in the South.
Finally, the insurgency demonstrated its views through means of violence.
Tak Bai Incident (October Tak Bai Incident (October 2004)2004)6 men arrested for supplying
weapons
Demonstration demanded release
Army called in◦Shooting◦Mass-arresting
Stacked 5 or 6 deep in the trucks 78 men suffocated
Reaction to Tak BaiReaction to Tak BaiMuslims and Malaysia appalled at
the army’s behaviour
Protests from the South
Thaksin defended army◦Claim that they were fasting, hence
too weak
Impacts on Thailand Impacts on Thailand The 2007 South Thailand bombings were a
series of bombings that hit Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala during the Chinese New Year celebrations on February 18 and 19.
At least seven people were killed. The bombings were the first time the rebels had simultaneously struck all four southern provinces.
The attacks targeted mostly residential and business establishments owned by Buddhists or ethnic Chinese.
Role of UNRole of UNMaintain security of region
◦Ask different nations to co-operate in stopping terrorism
The UN Congress◦Brought > 3000 delegates to
Thailand◦To discuss issues
Role of Thailand Role of Thailand GovernmentGovernmentProtect region from more danger
◦Increase security◦Attempt to negotiate with the
terrorist groups◦Discuss with other nations
Identify causes and fix it◦Asked Malaysia to stop terrorist
training camps in Kelantan
Role of Malaysian Role of Malaysian GovernmentGovernmentCo-operate with Thailand government
To not let the terrorists escape into Malaysia◦Increase security near border
Resolve issue of dual-nationality◦People in region share strong ethnic,
religious, linguistic and cultural bonds with Malaysia
Lessons for SingaporeLessons for SingaporeTerrorism is a threat to
Singapore’s economic success◦Multi-racial◦Incident very close to home
Muslim community
Racial harmony is important◦Understanding and accepting each
other
Evaluation of measures Evaluation of measures takentakenThere had been several call for
negotiation of peace◦Unwilling to allow for secession◦Special Administration Zones
allowed
Ineffective as opposing leader is strongly for independence – did not respond to calls
Evaluation of measures Evaluation of measures takentakenLarge amount of international
support
Indicates the willingness of countries to work together to stop terrorism
A united world
Evaluation of measures Evaluation of measures takentakenThai military and police still
taking an aggressive stand
Unable to respond effectively
Hard for insurgents to cooperate
The way forwardThe way forwardChanging political strategy to
gain support from Malay Muslim community
Must recognize the structural problems in the Patani region (eg poverty, education) and also the differences in religion, ethnicity etc.
ReferencesReferences http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Thailand_insurgency http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_South_Thailand_bombings BBC News CNN.com/asia PolitInfo.com The Jamstown Foundation GlobalSecurity.org Smartraveller.gov.au
Thank you!Thank you!