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| Southeast Asia |
| Protests and terrorism continue in southern Thailand |
| 2007-05-08 |
| More than 1,000 demonstrators protested Tuesday against the arrest of 21 Muslims in Pattani, using a convoy of pickups and motorcycles to make their message heard in the historical capital of Thailand's troubled deep South. The protestors have been gathering since Saturday outside Ingkhayuthboriharn army camp in Pattani, to demand the release of 21 men arrested weeks ago on charges of firing upon a motorcade of a close aide to Her Majesty the Queen, as well as other acts of violence in the region. The army has refused to release the suspects, claiming it has strong evidence of their guilt. After holding their tense demonstration at the camp for several hours Tuesday, the crowd dispersed but took their protest to the streets in more than 20 pickups and groups of motorcycles, witnesses said. Authorities were so intimidated by the large show of strength by the Muslims that they used a helicopter to drop pamphlets rather than approach the protesters. The pamphlets pleaded with protesters not to fall into the "trap of ill-intentioned people or insurgents, who want to create turmoil" and possibly turn peaceful gathering into violence. The protest against the government officials' operation is unlawful, they said. However, it was clear that officials were unwilling to take any action against the crowd, and authorities said they would seek negotiation and consider the protesters' demands. Meanwhile, suspected separatists set fire to two public schools in Pattani province while police discovered the body of a Thai Buddhist labourer who had been shot and then burned in nearby Yala province. The badly burned body of Puan Namsa, 43, was found in the Thanto district with three bullets in his head and one in his chest. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #1 The Thais need to go Chinese on the muslims in the south, and stat. Killing a few hundred, burning villages, tying up the head men without their heads, etc., would do wonders to the situation. Also, put a squad guarding every school, and make sure at least four people are awake all the time. Kill those that try to interfere. Have the teachers "live in" if that's the only way to protect them. Burning a few dozen |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2007-05-08 18:08 |