Asian Review
Publication Date
2003-01-01
Abstract
Though Islam is a political factor throughout Southeast Asia, this paper argues that Islamic fundamentalism does not necessarily govern political life. It also questions generalizations about the increase in political Islamic fundamentalism in the region perceived by the press and American sympathizers. By sketching the roots of the violent conflict in the far south of Thailand, the predominantly Muslim region of the Kingdom, it argues that the violence has been caused not only by Islamic militants consisting of Thai terrorists and Muslim separatist groups who have sought foreign assistance and fought against the Thai state's oppression but also by the common banditry of ordinary criminals and bureaucrats. The paper does not deny that there are terrorism linkages in the region, but at the same time it questions whether the widely used term "transnational terrorism" explains anything new about the violence. In addition, it also believes that the American "war on terrorism" policy which the Thai government was forced to embrace has worsened the problem and further isolated the Muslims of the south from the center. The paper also criticizes the Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's "cash and gung-ho" style of leadership which has further exacerbated the problem. In the last part of the paper, the author provides recommendations and warns the Thai government to solve the problem of the south quickly and wisely. Otherwise, the Kingdom is highly likely to see not only more violence but also new targets.
DOI
10.58837/CHULA.ARV.16.1.6
First Page
131
Last Page
151
Recommended Citation
Horachaikul, Surat
(2003)
"The far south of Thailand in the era of the American empire, 9/11 version, and Thaksin's "cash and gung-ho" premiership,"
Asian Review: Vol. 16:
No.
1, Article 7.
DOI: 10.58837/CHULA.ARV.16.1.6
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/arv/vol16/iss1/7