Thailand and its Insurgency

While other SE Asian countries seem to be making some progress in stemming Islamist insurgents and terrorists, Thailand seems to be standing out as a comparative failure in this area. The last few years have seen a slew of policy and counterpolicy regarding the insuregency in the South of the country that has left almost everybody a little puzzled and has seen the violence continue, seemingly unabated.

If the experience of other South East Asian countries with a strong Islamic fundamentalist presence is anything to go by, then it may be time for Thailand to begin a steady policy of democratic engagement with their own Islamic elements. Other South-East Asian Islamic fundamentalist movements have recently been brought more under control by democratic engagement. Fundamentalist Islamic parties are now fighting at the polls in Indonesia and Malaysia. The meaningful political engagement of fundamentalist groups seems to have gone some way towards stemming the trouble in those countries by allowing the issues to be openly debated in the public arena. Whilst, concededly still not perfect, Indonesia has made strides in its efforts against Islamist violence, while Malaysia seems to be a prime example of how fundamentalist elements can be engaged in a modern, democratic system without violence.

The recent setup of the National Reconciliation Commission in Thailand, in combination with a consistent and engaging approach towards the Southern provinces (the heartland of the insuregncy), could be the beginning of progress in stemming the violence in that country also. If the ill-advised policies of holding back funding to the southern provinces, in combination with harsh police and army crackdowns has truly been left behind (and let's hope it has) then we can hope to see a legitimate improvement in the security situation. The Thai government's willingness to accept the suggestions of the NRC to abolish martial law and publicise the results of an official inquiry into the Tak Bai Protest Massacre are a good start. Let's hope the government's newfound willingness to compromise continues.