This is part 2 of a multi-part series on the changing nature of the insurgency in Southern Thailand. Part 1 is available here. Part 3 will look at attacks against Muslims and teachers. Part 4 will give some commentary on the changing nature of the insurgency.
Buddhist monks/symbols
The Nation reports:
By comparison, the conventional separatist groups that emerged in the 1960s, who incorporated “ethno-nationalistic” ideology in their struggle, regarded Buddhist temples and shrines as being off-limits.
This is clearly no longer the case. Buddhist temples have also been attacked and bombed (The Nation). In one violent incident in October 2005, newspapers report that 20 gunmen entered a Buddhist temple, hacked an elderly monk to death then opened fire on the monk's dwelling killing two temple boys before setting the temple on fire (The Nation).
Just after this attack monks became more vocal in their protest - not in favour of a softening of the government's approach either:
Meanwhile, in response to the murder and desecration of Promprasith temple in the Panare district, more than 100 monks from Pattani mounted fierce criticism of the NRC and called on the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to disband the body formed seven months ago
It is not just Buddhist temples, but Buddhist monks have also come under attack. In 2004, a number of Buddhist monks were 'hacked to death' (The Nation). Buddhist monks have also been attacked when they collect alms and many state that they are fearful and no longer willing to travel freely through southern communities to collect alms (US State Department). Just the other day, two monks were injured by a bomb while collecting alms. A recent newspaper report says that 6 monks have been killed in the insurgency to date (LA Times) although many more have been injured.
Buddhists
Between 78.2% (academic access only, p102 - from 2000 Census) and 85% of the population in the 3 southern border provinces are Muslims. This means that between 15-22% of the population in the 3 southern border provinces are Buddhists. Buddhists make up a majority of the victims of the violence in the 3 southern border provinces as the below graph indicates.
Source: Deep South Watch. Larger image is also available.
Buddhists are also dying in increasing numbers. For the first 6 months of 2005, 111 Buddhists were killed this rose to 141 for the first 6 months of 2006. However, for Muslims the opposite occurred, the death toll decreased from 208-183 (Deep South Watch).
It is not just the number of Buddhists who have been attacked, but also the way they have been killed. In May 2004, one Buddhist was beheaded and a note left on his body warning of sectarian violence (Strait Times). In a 5 week period in June-July 2005, a further 9 Buddhists were beheaded (Washington Times). Killing by beheading is new phenomenon for the 3 southern border provinces. A government minister has stated that intelligence suggests the beheadings were copied from Iraq (Washington Times). A Bangkok Post editorial states that the beheadings are largely seen as a way of intimidating Buddhists. A recent newspaper reports states that 20 people have been beheaded in the insurgency so far - although it is unclear exactly how many Muslims have also been beheaded.
It is widely believed by Thai government officials (The Nation) and foreign analysts (The Nation) that Buddhists are deliberately targeted to raise sectarian tensions. One senior Thai government official has described the situation as 'ethnic cleansing' as Buddhists have been told to leave the 3 southern border provinces under the threat of violence (The Independent). For example, Amnesty International report citing a message which stated: "Thai Buddhists if you are still on our land we will kill you all. Get out from our land. Otherwise you will eat bullets again." (Amnesty International ) It is estimated that up to 10% of Buddhists living in the 3 southern border provinces have left the southern border provinces (Zachary Abuza).
Finally, I think it is important to be aware of the close links between the Thai State/Nation and Buddhism to better understand why the insurgents have targeted symbols of Buddhism in particular.
Since at least the 1930s the three core values of national ideology in Thailand have been the Thai nation, the Buddhist religion and the Thai King,* There is no separation of church and state in Thailand. Section 73 of the 1997 Constitution (recently rescinded by the 19 September coup) required the State to "protect Buddhism and other religions". Section 66 of the 1997 Constitution also stated that it was the duty of all Thais to uphold the Nation, religion, and the King. Section 9 also states that the King is a Buddhist.** The US State Department's recent annual report on religious freedom in Thailand states that:
The state religion in effect is Theravada Buddhism; however, it is not officially designated as such.
I can't be certain, but I imagine that many insurgents feel the same and see that attacking symbols of Buddhism is also attacking the Thai State and the entire Thai national ideology.
* Conceptually, this could be translated as the institution of monarchy as opposed to the King as a person. In the 1970s, the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of the State was also added as a core value of national ideology. Hence, the recent use of the term by the coup leaders. Source is the writings of Craig Reynolds.
** I have often wondered about section 9 because it does not state that the King "shall" be a Buddhist, but just states that the King "is" a Buddhist (พระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นพุทธมามกะ). It is almost as if it would be preposterous to suggest that the King could be any other religion than a Buddhist and thus no reason to require it.
tesat