WUNRN
THAILAND
PBS Frontline - Public Broadcasting Service
Offering Solace to Victims of Conflict
By Aaron Goodman
August 09, 2007
_____________________________________________________________________
15-08-2008
Muslim
separatists in southern Thailand have stepped up attacks on symbols of the
Buddhist state since early 2004. Analysts warn the conflict could escalate and
attract international Islamic extremists.
Decades-old
political grievances have rekindled violence in the south, with militants
claiming the central government discriminates against Muslims.
Civilians
thought to be co-operating with the government have also been targeted by
separatists.
The
government of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra responded with force,
imposing an emergency decree to boost its powers in the region and cracking
down hard on suspected insurgents.
Thaksin
was ousted in a coup in September 2006 led by Thailand's first Muslim army
chief, initially raising hopes that tensions in the south would ease. But a
peace drive by the army-appointed government met with little response, as
militants stepped up attacks.
SECURITY |
|
Number
killed since Jan 2004 |
More
than 3,000 |
RELIGION |
|
Buddhists
(percentage of population in Thailand) |
94
|
Muslims
(percentage of population) |
4-5,
concentrated in south |
POVERTY |
|
Percentage
of population living in poverty (2002) |
Whole
country: 9.8 |
MATERNAL
MORTALITY RATE |
|
Maternal
mortality rate in three southernmost provinces |
Around
double the national average of 24 per 100,000 live births |
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