Violence in the Deep South over?
Out of nowhere, a spokesman claiming to represent 11 separatist group from the Deep South has declared an end to the violence.
What. The. F***.
Any groups who do not comply with this newfound peace will be dealt with accordingly, said the spokesman.
“We want to see peace and stability in the region. All forms of attacks have come to an end,” he said.
These are strong words, but who the hell are these people claiming there is a ceasefire, which supposedly began on July 14?
The way I see it, violence has not ended. There have been attacks in the past few days. Gen Chetta Thachajaro is taking the credit for this “breakthrough”, but the whole scenario strikes me as rather odd. There is no word as to exactly why there is a ceasefire.
Surely a group of militants who have beheaded, burned and butchered innocents for years would not simply call it day and not have a strong reason for doing so. This makes them look weak.
More to the point, can one unknown group really speak for everyone in the Deep South?
Bangkok Post, Nation
July 17th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I doubt that the violence has ceased. My girlfriend is from a village in Narathiwat. Just last night, apparently an elderly Muslim from her village were beheaded, the severed head was found some 500 metres away on the middle of a road.
This violence hasn’t slowed down, and I would believe the militants thinks that it’s a success. And why cease when it’s successful?
My girlfriend is Buddhist and her family still stays in Narathiwat. Her family’s home is a compund comprising four houses facing the center of the compund. Every day, at sun down, they lock all the doors and windows. All lights are switched off, except for a dim light in the living room. Wooden barricades are placed on the windows. The male members of the family sleeps with a gun at their side. They take turns staying up at night to guard the house. So far, nothing unwanted has happened.
It’s a pathetic lifestyle really. Being paranoid is just being protective of themselves.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:26 am
That’s really interesting. Reminds me of I Am Legend for some reason, when he’s hiding in the bathtub.
July 19th, 2008 at 3:45 am
I saw this story picked up by international media outlets also. Maybe the Thai government is trying to make it look like they have things under control.