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Malaysia Sun
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysia Sun
Thailand: New Insurgent Attacks on Civilians Despite Pledge
(Bangkok, May 29, 2025) - Separatist insurgents in Thailand's southern border provinces should uphold their pledge and international legal obligations not to attack civilians, Human Rights Watch said today. Barisan Revolusi Nasional (National Revolutionary Front or BRN) insurgents have frequently targeted civilians, both Thai Buddhists and Malay Muslims, since the outbreak of armed insurgency in January 2004. On May 5, 2025, the BRN issued a statement expressing regret for recent attacks. While reaffirming the right to self-determination for Malay Muslims, the armed separatist group said that it "has no policy of targeting civilians" and "remains committed to international human rights and humanitarian law." Human Rights Watch has repeatedly condemned BRN laws-of-war violations. "The BRN took an unprecedented step by publicly pledging not to target civilians, after terrorizing people in Thailand's deep south for more than two decades," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "But a pledge is not enough. The BRN needs to stop committing war crimes ." There were 57 insurgent attacks in April, resulting in 18 deaths and 50 injuries from the Buddhist Thai and Malay Muslim populations in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces. On April 22, BRN insurgents shot dead Pongkorn Chumapan, 16, and wounded Pokanit Morasin, 12, in an attack on a pickup truck taking Buddhist monks and novices from Wat Kura temple to collect alms in Songkhla province's Sabayoi district. Pol. Lt. Wattanarom Chumapan, Pongkorn's father, told Human Rights Watch that his "son and his cousins were ordained as novices during their school break to study Buddhism and accumulate good karma. But they were targeted in this brutal attack." "I picked up my son, together with other novices and monks, from the temple to collect alms that morning," he said. "My pickup truck had just left the temple's gate when I heard gunshots coming from the roadside jungle. They sounded like M-16 assault rifles. I'm a police officer. I could tell." He said the bullets hit his son and another novice: "I grabbed my pistol and fired back at the two assailants until they retreated. I could see them escaping on a motorcycle, dressed as Muslim women and covering their faces." The BRN considers Buddhism emblematic of the Thai state's occupation of Malay Muslim territory. At least 23 Buddhist monks and novices have been killed and more than 30 injured during the conflict, most while collecting alms. Victims of the BRN's violence in May included teachers, police officers, older people, and children. On the morning of May 28, Pol. Sgt. Abdulloh Makaseng, 30, was shot dead when insurgents attacked the Chanae district police station in Narathiwat province. Later that day, insurgents opened fire into a community sport event in Narathiwat province's Tak Bai district, seriously wounding Muhammad Sukri Ha, 37, and Sainuddin Jehbueraheng, 34, both teachers. On May 2, in Chanae district, insurgents fatally shot Sa-Nga Saeng-Yoi, 76, a blind Buddhist Thai, and critically wounded her son while they were returning home from the hospital on a motorcycle. On the same day, in Tak Bai district, six insurgents opened fire with assault rifles into a Buddhist Thai neighborhood. They killed Sasita Jankong, 9, a Buddhist Thai, and two older relatives. Civilians have also been victims of BRN insurgents' indiscriminate shootings and bombings. The laws of war , applicable to the armed conflict in Thailand's southern border provinces, prohibit attacks on civilians and civilian objects, including reprisals, or attacks that fail to discriminate between combatants and civilians. Anyone who commits serious violations of the laws of war with criminal intent is responsible for war crimes . Abuses by both BRN insurgents and Thai authorities have long fed a cycle of violence and impunity, Human Rights Watch said. Phra Kru Kositasudabhorn, a prominent Buddhist monk and peace advocate from Pattani province, told Human Rights Watch that the April 22 attack on novices in Sabayoi district appeared to be in retaliation for the killing of an Islamic religious teacher, allegedly by Thai security forces, in Narathiwat province on April 18. "As long as that killing remains unresolved, Buddhist Thais will still be at risk," he said. "Buddhist novices and monks are especially vulnerable. Government officials should understand that insurgents use [state-sponsored] abuses and heavy-handed tactics to recruit new members and justify their violence." Claims by insurgents that attacks on civilians are lawful because the victims are part of the Thai state or that Islamic law, as they interpret it, has no justification under international law. The office of Sheikhul Islam, Thailand's central Islamic council, issued a statement on May 6, 2025, condemning the attacks on civilians "in the strongest terms" and stating that there is no justification for such heinous crimes, which are also serious religious offenses. Thai authorities have imposed special security legislation in the southern border provinces. Under the Executive Decree on Government Administration in Emergency Situations and under martial law, Thai security forces can arrest and hold suspected BRN members for up to 37 days without effective judicial oversight, which has led to deaths in military custody. On May 22, representatives of the Internal Security Operations Command, Region Four, which is responsible for counterinsurgency operations in the southern border provinces, told a Thai parliamentary committee that such arrests and detentions served as deterrence even when authorities did not have sufficient evidence to press charges. Jaringan Mangsa Dari Undang-Undang Darurat, a human rights group, reported at least 41 arbitrary arrest cases of Malay Muslims from January through April. The mother of Nasri Tugae, 22, told Human Rights Watch that her son was arrested under martial law on April 23: "Soldiers raided my house, accusing Nasri of being involved in the killing of a Buddhist novice [on April 22]. We tried to explain that my son was away on that day to apply for his passport in Yala province. But they did not listen." She said he was taken to Ingkayuth Camp in Pattani province for interrogation: "My son was scared when I told him that there were allegations about him all over social media, saying he was a murderer. My son was held for 26 days. Now he was released without charge. My son was treated unfairly. Where is justice? Something like this will only make Muslims trust officials less." There is an entrenched culture of impunity for state-sponsored abuses in the southern border provinces, Human Rights Watch said. There has been no successful prosecution of those responsible for extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and torture of suspected BRN members. The 20-year statute of limitations of the Tak Bai crackdown, which left 85 dead and several hundred injured, ended in October 2024, preventing further legal action. "Insurgent atrocities and retaliatory government abuses have sowed distrust between the Thai Buddhist and Malay Muslim communities," Pearson said. "Both sides should end abuses, hold abusers accountable, and commit to respecting human rights as they negotiate an end to the conflict." Source: Human Rights Watch
West Australian
17-05-2025
- West Australian
Enter the world of the dragon
Wat Sam Phran rises, pink, 17-storeys tall, and wrapped in a huge, green dragon sculpture. Just outside Bangkok, the Dragon Temple is surely one of Thailand's most unexpected Buddhist temples. It is less than 40km to the west of central Bangkok, in the Nakhon Pathom province, and a good day trip, away from the totally frenetic heart of the city. The temple has deeply religious significance for Thai Buddhists, even though (slightly oddly) the temple's precise origins aren't really clear. There is no written record stating exactly when it was built, though locals will tell you that it was 'in the mid-20th century'. Some second-hand accounts place some parts of the site earlier than that. But what we see today speaks for itself — particularly, of course, the 80-metre long green dragon that is coiled around the tower, which symbolises wisdom and protection. The dragon wasn't part of the original tower construction, but applied later. The Wat Sam Phran temple complex is an active Buddhist monastery and meditation centre — and its very height is part of the story of belief. For, in some Buddhist thought, there are 17 stages of spiritual enlightenment — symbolised here by the 17-storeys of the tower. The grounds around the tower have gardens in which to reflect, and statues of prominent monks. Visitors are welcome to walk in the grounds, see the offerings and be with monks in prayer in this serene atmosphere. The temple is open from 7am to 6pm daily with free entry (though it indicated that a $4, or 80 Thai baht, donation is appreciated). But visitors should, of course, remember that this is a holy place, and they should dress modestly to walk in the temple grounds. Shoulders and knees should be covered (a light shawl or sarongs is acceptable, but there are none to borrow here, as there are in some other temples). fact file + The best way to get there from Bangkok city is by taxi — I'd use the Grab app, which is south-east Asia's version of Uber. That gives a fixed-price ride with GPS tracking and cashless payments. It also offers safety alerts, which some solo travellers might feel more comfortable with. To use the app, type in 'Wat Sam Phran' as the destination. It will usually take between 45 and 60 minutes from the centre of Bangkok. + The more adventurous might consider hiring an eScooter — and on that, I'd expect it to take less than 45 minutes. But do note that riders should have an International Driving Permit (get it before any trip from RAC) and make sure their travel insurance covers them for using the scooter. + For the budget conscious, Bus No.84 from Bangkok takes about an hour and a quarter to get to Sam Phran town, for $1.20 (25 Thai baht). But you're still 4km from the temple, and may need to use the Grab app to book a motorcycle taxi.
The Star
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Southern insurgency escalates, Thai govt to crackdown on militant leaders
BANGKOK: The southern insurgency in Thailand has reignited, cornering the government and prompting a renewed plan to hunt down and dismantle militant leadership networks. Three main groups have been targeted by insurgents in the deep southern border provinces: Thai Buddhists, state officials (including civil servants, military personnel, police, and volunteers), and Muslims who cooperate with state authorities. A series of coordinated attacks recently shocked the region, including: >A shooting of monks and novices collecting alms in Saba Yoi District, Songkhla Province >A mass shooting in Tak Bai District, Narathiwat Province, which left three people dead—including a 9-year-old child and a 70-year-old elder—and two others injured >A drive-by shooting in Cho-airong District, Narathiwat, where a 76-year-old blind woman was killed and her 50-year-old son seriously wounded as they were heading to a hospital The attackers deliberately targeted vulnerable individuals, aiming to provoke outrage—and succeeded. The violence drew widespread condemnation and increased pressure on the government to act decisively. ALSO READ: Gunman kills three in conflict-hit southern Thailand Security analysts believe this resurgence of violence stems from several key factors: 1. Stalled peace talks under both the Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra governments, particularly after Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai called for a strategic overhaul but failed to appoint an official Thai representative for dialogue. 2. Internal conflict within the BRN (Barisan Revolusi Nasional) between older and newer factions, leading the newer generation to operate independently. 3. Timing with the holy month of Ramadan, which historically sees heightened tensions. 4. Reduced security checkpoints on minor roads in response to local complaints during 'Ramadan Panjor' policy implementation. 5. Fatigue among security forces, resulting in lapses in vigilance. 6. Political manoeuvring to push for special administrative status in the region. 7. Government leaders' public statements, seen as setting pressure timelines, may have provoked insurgents. Deputy DefenCe Minister Gen Nattapon Nakpanich is scheduled to visit the southern provinces on May 7 to meet with stakeholders, including religious leaders, and energise local security forces. Similarly, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Phana Klaewplodthuk will follow up on operations led by Lt Gen Paisan Nusang, commander of the 4th Army Region, who has deployed proactive paramilitary ranger units. Currently, there are nine regiments (144 companies) of ranger forces and six female ranger units (45 squads) operating in the region as part of seven task forces, covering areas such as Raman (Yala), Panare (Pattani), Nong Chik (Pattani), Sai Buri (Pattani), Ra-ngae (Narathiwat), Rueso (Narathiwat), and Yaha (Yala). Their missions include suppressing violence, adapting deployment based on geography and threat levels, and integrating operations with other local agencies. Additionally, the army chief has ordered Interior Ministry volunteers to man village-level checkpoints, replacing recently withdrawn military forces. Proactive strategies also include closely monitoring known insurgents—those categoriSed as "Black Faces" (active operatives) and "Grey Faces" (indirect operatives). Authorities will also begin identifying "White Faces"—individuals with no criminal records but believed to fund or recruit for insurgent groups—aiming to expose and pressure them. The situation in Thailand's Deep South remains unresolved after years of conflict. Both militants and government forces continue to adapt in a strategic tug-of-war, with civilians caught in the middle as the true victims. - The Nation/ANN
Asia Times
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Asia Times
‘The White Lotus' version of Thai Buddhism gets some things right
The new season of 'The White Lotus' is set on a luxury resort on the Thai island of Koh Samui. This comedy-drama series, which critiques wealthy tourists, focuses one plotline on foreigners arriving in Thailand who are interested in engaging with its Buddhist traditions. It depicts a young American woman who is interested in joining a yearlong meditation program at a Buddhist temple, even though Thai temples do not offer such programs. It also portrays a temple environment with many foreigners staying there long term, not dressed in typical clothing for residents of a temple – unusual in Thailand – and inaccurately describes the Buddhist view of the afterlife. I have studied Buddhism in Thailand for over a decade, including the diverse ways in which Thai Buddhists practice their religion. While the Thai Buddhism depicted in The White Lotus is not completely realistic, there are several authentic ways to engage deeply with Buddhism, ranging from offering donations to short meditation retreats to ordination as a monastic. Generosity and Buddhist laity Without donations, Buddhist temples and monastic institutions could not exist. The lay community provides for monks and temples, in exchange for the spiritual currency of merit, which is believed to turn into good karma. This good karma is believed to produce favorable conditions in this life and the next life, such as attaining wealth or being reborn into a privileged family. Some laypeople might give food to monks as they walk on their alms rounds every morning, while others may visit the temple only on most Buddhist holidays. The main intention behind interacting with a monk or visiting a temple is to make merit. Each temple has donation boxes for specific funds it needs, such as paying the electricity bill, completing renovation projects, providing education for young monks and funding the monastic community's health care. People can take home blessed objects such as a lucky candle or small amulet in exchange for a small donation. In some temples, a monk's duty is to sit inside one of the main halls and wait until the laity comes to receive offerings and give blessings. Meditation retreats Temples with meditation centers generally offer meditation retreats for short periods of time. Many offer 10-day retreats; participants can also sign up for a 21-day program in the north of Thailand, where they will aim to spend their days in 10-15 hours of meditation and minimize any other activity, including sleep. Participants in the 21-day program aim to reach the first of the four stages of enlightenment within Thai Theravada Buddhism. Buddhists believe that those who attain the first stage have 'entered the stream' of enlightenment and are guaranteed to attain it within seven lifetimes. Contrary to popular Western beliefs about Buddhist meditation, it is not viewed as a secular practice. Thai Buddhists believe that meditation is a meritorious activity, helping them not only to ultimately leave the cycle of rebirth but also to accumulate merit and good karma along the way – in this life and future ones. At a meditation center, every moment is spent in mindfulness of every action, along with periods of formal walking or sitting meditation. Each meditation center has a structured program and schedule that practitioners, typically dressed in white pants and top, must follow individually or in group periods of meditation. Ordination of men and women Ordination is an important part of the Buddhist life course. Thai Buddhists often enter monastic life for short periods, temporarily being ordained as monks or nuns. Even for those who enter for life but then choose to leave the monastic life, the process is simple; it usually carries no shame or disappointment. However, if a monk was well known for his teaching, his followers would likely feel upset. In Theravada Buddhism, the kind of Buddhism practiced in Thailand, there are two levels of ordination: novice and full 'bhikkhu' – the term for a fully ordained male. Males under the age of 20 may pursue only novice ordination, while those over 20 can become fully ordained monks. It is often considered a rite of passage, or at least a sign of discipline and maturity, for a male to have been ordained at some point in his life. Temporary ordination is seen as a way for men to make merit for their parents, especially their mothers, who sacrificed so much for their existence. Women are generally not allowed to be ordained in Thai Buddhism, but some have received ordination in Sri Lanka, where they are allowed to be monks, and set up communities in Thailand, which are gaining in popularity. These female monastic practice centers have initiated temporary ordination programs for female monks, or 'bhikkhuni.' These centers host special programs once or twice a year, in which up to 100 women at a time, including international visitors, can ordain as novice female monks for short periods. During this time, they learn what it is like to wear the robes, receive offerings and study the Buddhist texts. Many women find this opportunity meaningful because they can offer merit to their parents, which only males could do previously. Thai women fighting to be ordained A woman can also ordain temporarily or long term in Thailand as a mae chi, or precept nun. They usually follow Eight Precepts, including celibacy, wearing white robes and shaving their heads. Although more accepted today in Thailand as a role for Buddhist women than bhikkhuni, this category of ordination was not initiated by the Buddha. Precept nuns are believed to have existed for centuries, but the origin of the practice is not clearly known. These are some common ways in which Thai Buddhists practice Buddhism, often with the goal of achieving prosperity in this life and a better rebirth. Such practices, Buddhists believe, may also get them closer to the ultimate aspiration of enlightenment. Brooke Schedneck is an associate professor of religious studies at Rhodes College. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
