The separatist conflict in southern Thailand
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Date
2009
Authors
Yaacob, Che Mohd Aziz
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Abstract
On January 4, 2004, an unidentified group attacked a military camp in Narathiwat and
stole ammunitions and other military paraphernalia. Since then, a series of events that
led toward to the expansion of the conflict in Southern Thailand has unfolded. In this
study, attention is given to the conflict dynamics that has led to the increase in the
intensity of the conflict since 2004—the changing issues, actors, and approaches from
the past until present. To evaluate the conflict situation, primary and secondary data
were analyzed using conflict and peace studies theories, including the conflict triangle,
symmetric and asymmetric conflict, conflict transformation, conflict resolution, and
peacebuilding.
The result of the research shows that the conflict in Southern Thailand is still a
continuing separatist conflict with identity as its root cause. The structure of relations
between the conflict actors remains to be asymmetric which in itself is a main obstacle
to conflict resolution. The Government of Thailand also continues to maintain a
hegemonic approach towards the Malay Muslims of Patani (OMIP) and to finding a path
to resolving the conflict. The resurgence of this conflict since 2004 has shown a new
form of separatist movement that is both systematic and strategic in their interventions
by using schools, public spaces, teachers, monks, and civil servants as targets of their
activities. The conflict increasingly becomes complicated when other actors, like
politicians, and other criminal elements also contributed to the conflict in order to
achieve their own personal interests.
Therefore, with such complexities, the Southern Thailand conflict needs a strategic and
new initiative based on the foundations of peacebuilding. This process should include
the contribution and cooperation of local and international civil societies. The situation
calls for a comprehensive approach that includes conflict transformation and
peacebuilding to achieve sustainable peace.
Description
Master
Keywords
Humanities , Separatist conflict