Thai government's crackdown on Muslim protests

Thai government's crackdown on Muslim protests

The persistent clashes in Thailand's southern provinces are
consistently cast by the government as a law and order issue. On
Monday, the third serious outbreak this year alone saw lawful
authority challenged when protesters attacked a police station to
free defense volunteers held on suspicion of passing arms to
Islamic militants. The cause and effect is troubling enough,
without resurgent Islam having re-energized a dormant
secessionist lobby. Some 400 people have died this year in three
big clashes. All of these had elements of a political challenge
to an elected government, street rioting, and pure criminality
such as thefts of arms.

Where does drug- and gun-running end and the funding of agents
out to undermine the state begin? Why is it that the Muslims
never fail to mention discrimination in jobs and education? Is
despair feeding anti-government sentiment? Where does militant
Islam fit into the picture? Mr. Thaksin told southerners the
authorities will not be permitted to harass the locals, and "bad
locals" will not be allowed to harass the authorities and other
peaceable people. This was close to acknowledging that mutual
animosity is deep-seated.
-- The Straits Times, Singapore