Southern Thailand Insurgency

Southern Thailand has a problem. Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani are three southern provinces with raising counts of violence all resultant in ethnic, religious, and linguistic misunderstandings. The three provinces are heavily populated by Malay-Muslims that feel ostracized by the Thai-Buddhist public. The issue is dynamic and complex—the possible solutions even more so.

Ultimately the insurgency problem within Southern Thailand stretches back all the way into the early 1900’s. The then British Empire had control of the region and decided to oversee various treaties between Malaysia and Thailand. The treaty ended with Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani being formally adopted into Thailand’s boundaries. What the leaders of the treaty failed to realize is that the populous of the newest southern Thailand provinces were almost exclusively Malay-Muslim individuals speaking Malayu—a language not understood throughout Thailand.

Almost immediately Thai officials began a rash campaign to assimilate the newcomers into a Buddhist society. There initial approach was to blend the three provinces into becoming Thai-Muslims. It didn’t take long for the Malay-Muslims to proudly lash back with all of the indignation of one standing up for a perceived identity. During the 1960’s a violent rebellion broke out that was quelled in an equally violent fashion by the Thai Military.

More recently, a new group of insurgents immerged with the intent to preserve complete fidelity to the area’s Malay-Muslim roots. There ideology revolves around two principles—both equally startling. First, they plan to shatter the fabric of society in the south, force any Thai-Buddhists to migrate, and destroy any apparent Thai governmental structure present in the region. An estimated 30,000 Thai-Buddhists have fled from the south in the past 3 years. In particular, the separatists target schools where they deem their Malay-Muslim children are “brainwashed” to accept Thai authority and culture. Since 2004, insurgents have killed 64 teachers and burned 72 schools.

Second, they want to establish their own government. They claim that they might settle for genuine autonomy as a stepping stone towards complete independence. Currently, the insurgent groups have been identified as the BRN-C and GMIP. It is assumed that while they are mimicking many jihadist practices (beheadings, IEDs, etc.) their attacks do not follow the same guidelines (or any guidelines for that matter) as larger more recognizable terrorist groups (ISIS, Al Qaeda, Jihad, etc.).

Ironically, the insurgents are making their home much worse off than it has ever been historically. Instead of loosening its grip on the region, Thailand is becoming an iron vice. More armed police forces are being deployed to counter against the insurgent crimes. Less Malay-Muslims are being educated and chosen for key political roles within the country. Once more, terrorists are showing the world that violence works only to cast a daunting shadow against those they claim to be representing.

So what is the solution? Experts have been working on the insurgency problem diligently since violence spiked in 2000. While I am no expert, I would like to attempt a possible solution.

First and foremost, I would allow for Yala. Pattani, and Narathiwat to break away completely. If that is what will stop the violence against innocent Thai and Malay-Muslim people then the loss of the territory would be worth it. Economically speaking, Thailand would barely feel it. They are pumping in way more economic resources to keep the area “safe” than they are gaining. Furthermore, with that portion gone from Thailand, Thailand would still have both sea and land access to Malaysia for trade.

Second, I would employ several UN representatives to serve as both impartial peacekeepers and bipartisan temporary political figures. The role of the UN would be to quickly and adequately train a security force and political figures from the present population.

Finally, I would have open but very strict and secure borders between Thailand and the new region. The function of the border would be to restrict anyone or anything from crossing with the intent to do harm. However, it would not prevent migrants flowing to and from the neighboring countries. If Malay-Muslims or Thai-Buddhists did not like the new situation, they would be free to migrate back to Thailand.

The solution accomplishes various objectives. Ideally, violence stops as Thai influences leave the new region. While the three provinces are given their own identity and governmental rule, open borders allow for individuals that might feel trapped or restricted within the new region.

I couldn’t possibly guess if the solution is viable. However, something different must take place in Southern Thailand. The area is slowly imploding into a lawless black zone.