Southern Thai teachers getting armed up

I haven't read about this in any local media.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1158011409610&call_pag eid=968332188492

personally I would be thinking of a change of job

^ or move back to Bournemouth.

"It isn't clear whether the militants want a separate Islamic state in what was a Malay sultanate where insurgent violence has waxed and waned over the past century. No goals are stated, no responsibility is claimed for attacks, and no allegiance to foreign Islamic groups is declared."

I thought it was all about getting a seperate states consisting of some southern Thai provinces and a some parts of northern Malaysia?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Silent Ninja

"It isn't clear whether the militants want a separate Islamic state in what was a Malay sultanate where insurgent violence has waxed and waned over the past century. No goals are stated, no responsibility is claimed for attacks, and no allegiance to foreign Islamic groups is declared."

I thought it was all about getting a seperate states consisting of some southern Thai provinces and a some parts of northern Malaysia?

---

It is a turf war between muslim militants, the local mafia, the army and the police, and money probably plays a bigger role here than politics or independence. Smugling of drugs, guns and oil - a very lucurative business, and lots of people want in in it. The increased powers that the government has handed to the military by the emergency decree has shifted the balance of power, and this has naturally upset someone.

Simply the fact that no responsibility is taken for these attacks, is a good indicator that they are not politically (or religiously) motivated. It is much easier to do dirty business when there is an atmosphere of fear and confusion, and you have unlimited power at your disposal.

When this was kicking off back in the 70's it was said to be commies up to it and now the name seems to have been changed to Islamic types. I think Whiteshiva is spot on there

That's really sad, but true. It really seems like the commies have been replaced by muslims. Wonder who will be next in row?

How come a lot of Thais dislike muslims? If it's a turf war and it's mostly about gang politics one would think that it shouldn't affect people's attitude towards muslims.