VZCZCXRO3121
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHBK #3649/01 1701028
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191028Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9553
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 BANGKOK 003649 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS 
PACOM FOR FPA (HUSO) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV TH
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO LATEST 
ATTACKS 
 
REF: BANGKOK 3585 (JUNE 15 BOMBINGS) 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary: On June 16, in response to the series of 
bomb attacks across far southern Thailand, the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs issued a diplomatic note addressing the 
current situation in the South and the RTG's efforts to deal 
with it.  In the press, caretaker PM Thaksin continued to be 
critical of security forces, and offered a weak endorsement 
for the NRC.  Separately, FM Kantathi said there was no 
evidence of Malaysian involvement in the June 15 attacks. 
Meanwhile, in the days following the June 15 attacks, bombing 
and shooting attacks continued across the far south. Police 
have made several arrests in connection with the violence 
including an Indonesian citizen detained in Narathiwat.  End 
Summary 
 
MFA PUTS SOME SPIN ON THE VIOLENCE, RTG EFFORTS 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  On June 16 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) 
offered an official explanation for the continuing violence 
in far southern Thailand and detailed government efforts to 
address the situation.  The diplomatic note (full text copied 
below) blames militants for manipulating socio-economic 
problems and religious differences to create violence which 
serves there own political objectives.  According to the MFA, 
the Thai government understands the root causes of the unrest 
and is working towards long-term solutions which respect 
local concerns.  Security forces are being trained using 
international human rights standards and efforts are underway 
to improve educational and economic conditions for the local 
population.  Finally, the note acknowledges the proposals 
made by the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), but 
does not offer a specific endorsement. 
 
PUBLIC REACTIONS FROM THE THAI LEADERSHIP 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin continued to be 
publicly critical of his governments' handling of the recent 
violence, acknowledging that mistakes had been made by 
security forces (reftel).  Thaksin told the media he would 
dispatch Royal Thai Army CINC Sonthi Boonyaratakalin to the 
South to look into government failings.  Thaksin said the 
government would work to improve development and 
reconciliation efforts and would "apply the instructions of 
the NRC."  Separately, in response to strong denials from 
Malaysian officials, the RTG continued to carefully walk back 
the statement made by Interior Minister Kongsak following the 
June 15 attacks that the bombs had come from "a neighboring 
country to the south."  On June 18, Foreign Minister Kantathi 
told the press that "there is no evidence pointing to 
Malaysian involvement." 
 
MEANWHILE, THE VIOLENCE CONTINUES... 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Since the June 15 coordinated attacks there has 
been a continued high level of violence across the far South. 
 On June 16, police confirmed five more small bombs in 
Narathiwat and Yala provinces.  One explosion in Yala 
seriously injured a district official and three police.  On 
June 17, there were more bombs, including a device placed in 
a Yala karaoke bar which killed two.  On June 18, additional 
attacks were reported, including the shooting of a former 
provincial official and a bomb attack on a police patrol in 
Narathiwat.  Following the recent attacks, police have made a 
number of arrests across the three southernmost provinces -- 
mostly on drug charges.  Among those arrested was an 
Indonesian citizen -- Zablee Hamaeruding -- who was found at 
a Narathiwat rubber plantation with two pounds of fertilizer 
and some nails.  The suspect is being held on immigration 
charges and is under interrogation. 
 
¶5.  (U)  BEGIN TEXT - THAI DIPLOMATIC NOTE ON SOUTH 
 
Developments in the Southern Provinces of Thailand 
 
Overall Situation 
-------------------- 
 
The situation in the three southern provinces of Thailand, 
namely Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, remains a concern for 
the Thai Government as violent incidents continue to occur 
with militants targeting both innocent Muslim and Buddhist 
civilians.  Since 2004, the death toll in the three southern 
provinces is approximately 1008 and figures of those injured 
being around 1812 -- with victims being nearly equal among 
both Thai Muslims and Thai Buddhists.  It has also been noted 
 
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that there has been an increase in militants targeting 
innocent civilians.  Recently, in one of the most vicious 
attacks, two female teachers were abducted and brutally 
beaten -- leaving one hospitalized and in serious condition. 
 
As noted in the Joint Press Statement between H.E. Sayed K. 
El-Masry, head of the OIC Goodwill Delegation to Thailand, 
and Mr. Krit Garnjana-Goonchron, Permanent Secretary of the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, that the situation 
in the southern provinces of Thailand is not a religious 
conflict.  But instead is a situation in which religion has 
been used as a pretext for violence.  Religion has been 
distorted by those who are taking advantage of the 
socio-economic problems in the three southern provinces to 
stir unrest of their own political interest. 
 
Efforts of the government are no only seeking to end the 
violence, but also to put in place long-term solutions that 
will promote harmony and overall development for the benefit 
of the local population, regardless of belief or ethnicity. 
The Thai Government understands the root causes of the 
problem and is fully committed to addressing the situation in 
a long-term and comprehensive manner.  The Government has, 
thus, initiated a number of measures that will improve the 
educational system and stimulate economic growth in the 
region. 
 
At the same time, it also recognizes the distinctiveness of 
the region and gives emphasis to the promotion of greater 
understanding among government officials and local residents 
that will enhance confidence building and enable a harmonious 
society.  With this recognition, the Government has given 
priority to assigning competent officials, who are sensitized 
to the unique characteristics of the region, to work in the 
three southern provinces as well as initiated a number of 
cultural awareness programs. 
 
With regards to the tragic Krue Se and Tak Bai incidents, 
Thailand also reaffirms our commitment to undertake 
comprehensive measure to prevent a recurrence of such 
incidents by equipping our security personnel with adequate 
training and skills to handle crowed control based on 
international standards. 
 
To ensure the successful implementation of these measures in 
enabling sustainable and long-term progress, the Thai 
government will continue to push forward and build upon the 
success of these past initiatives. 
 
Socio-Economic Measures 
----------------------- 
 
Among the three southern provinces of Thailand's combined 
population of 1.7 million, its poverty rate is approximately 
17 percent with unemployment rate high.  The Thai Government 
recognizes this problem and gives high priority to the 
situation in the southern provinces of Thailand, and has 
thus, initiated a number of programs that will address the 
root causes of the socio-economic problem as a means to 
reiterate our commitment to peacefully resolving the 
situation in a comprehensive manner. 
 
In the past few years, the Thai Government intensified 
efforts by launching a number of initiatives focused on 
addressing the educational system; training for security 
personnel; developing the economy for the local community; 
improving the transportation system; and enhancing cultural 
awareness as follows: 
 
Educational Initiatives: 
 
The Thai Government, through the Ministry of Education, is 
playing a greater role in implementing measures to develop 
the southern provinces of Thailand. 
 
--  The educational system is being re-designed to become 
more compatible with the demands of the labor force; 
 
--  At the same time, it is also taking into account the 
distinctiveness of the local community by promoting Islamic 
studies at state primary schools as well as encouraging local 
schools to teach Malay and the region's history.  Over 
hundreds of "ponoh" (293) have also registered to be eligible 
for Government assistance; 
 
--  Hundreds of scholarships have been also granted to 
 
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students in the southern provinces; 
 
--  As a national policy to promote greater understanding and 
unity within the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has 
also organized a summer training course and study tour for 20 
Thai Muslim students from Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and 
Songkhla during 8 - 26 May 2006, which enabled them to 
receive first-hand work experience at various departments 
within the foreign ministry. 
 
Economic Initiatives: 
 
The Thai Government is addressing the economic concerns of 
the southern provinces of Thailand in long-term and 
comprehensive manner.  In addition to the vocational training 
available at the various training centers located through the 
three southern provinces, other initiatives include: 
 
--  Promoting the halal food industry to enhance job 
opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the south; 
 
--  Providing financial assistance and tax incentives to 
attract investments; 
 
--  Ensuring that financial services provided be in 
accordance with the Islamic principles; 
 
--  Providing assistance in developing local products and 
enhancing its market accessibility; 
 
--  Providing low interest rates to expand the economy; and 
 
--  Improving the transportation system to enhance the flow 
of goods and services. 
 
As a result, tens of thousands have already undergone the 
vocational training and received employment both in public 
and private sectors throughout the southern provinces. 
Businesses have also been stimulated with commercial 
investments flowing into Yala creating greater job 
opportunities for the local communities. 
 
Remedial and Security Measures: 
------------------------------ 
 
In addition to the remedial measures given to families 
affected by the Krue Se and Tak Bai incidents, the Government 
will push forward to give assistance to those who have 
suffered as well as expedite a review pending issues and 
petitions in accordance to the due process of the law.  With 
this recognition, constructive and comprehensive measures 
have been implemented to reaffirm its commitment to prevent 
recurrence of such incidents. 
 
Remedial Measures 
 
Pursuant to the Office of the Prime Minister's Order No. 
9/2548, dated 6 January 2005, a Remedial Commission of 
persons who have suffered from the Tak Bai incident was 
establish to provide necessary assistance and remedy for the 
families of the deceased, the injured and missing persons as 
well as verify the damages and losses. 
 
Remedies have been made in various forms, regardless of the 
investigation result, to those who were affected, such as 
financial assistance of up to 300,000 baht per person, free 
education as well as social assistance to enable the affected 
families to continue their daily lives and living. 
 
Training for Security Personnel 
 
In addressing the lessons learnt from the tragic Krue Se and 
Tak Bai incidents, the Thai Government provided training as 
well as better facilities to equip its security personnel 
with means to handle crowd control situation in accordance 
with international standards and practices. 
 
¶1.  Every military officer station in the three southern 
provinces of Thailand must receive training on effective 
crowd control handling and negotiation in accordance with the 
standards used during UN peacekeeping operations in East 
Timor; 
 
¶2. A special "Riot Control Company" was set up to handle 
crowd control - using only shields and batons for protection 
and no firearms permitted.  There are two units thus far - 
 
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one station in the south and the other - its reinforcement 
unit, is located in Bangkok. 
 
¶3.  The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms 
by Law Enforcement Officials was also translated and 
disseminated as training manual to all relevant agencies; 
 
¶4.  The Southern Border Provinces Peace-Building Command also 
conducts an evaluation of its personnel's overall performance 
and periodically - 3 to 6 months - to ensure efficiency in 
resolving the situation in the South in a peaceful manner; 
 
¶5.  A number of cultural awareness training and language 
courses have been organized for security personnel working in 
the Southern provinces of Thailand to enhance understanding 
among the local community. 
 
(6)  The Ministry of Defense and its Supreme Command 
Headquarters have periodically organized human rights 
seminars, in conjunction with international military offices. 
 (i.e., in May 2006, a seminar on human rights and laws 
government conflicts of firearms) 
 
(7)  The Royal Thai Police also gives high priority on the 
prevention of human rights violations by police officers.  It 
issued a human rights handbook and organized education and 
training programs for police officers on human rights issues. 
 (i.e., Training for police officers in the south by the 
Foundation for Human Rights and Development in Yala) 
 
Others 
 
--  The cabinet approved the establishment of the Independent 
Commission on Justice and Civil Liberties for the Southern 
Border Provinces (ICJC).  ICJC is chaired by former 
Parliament President, Mr. Ukrit Mongkolnawin, and set up to 
provide legal advice to the Government on implementing 
effective, just and transparent legal measure in the south in 
accordance to the distinctiveness of the community. 
 
National Reconciliation Commission: 
----------------------------------- 
 
NRC Report 
 
--  The National Reconciliation Commission was established on 
28 March 2005 and headed by former Prime Minister Anand 
Panyarachun as an initiative to by the Thai Government to 
promote reconciliation in the southern provinces of Thailand. 
 
--  NRC, which comprises representatives from civil 
societies, academics, Muslim leaders, government and military 
official, was given a free rein to analyze the situation and 
made recommendations to the Government -- advising on 
suggested long-term measures. 
 
--  The NRC submitted their report to the government on 5 
June 2006.  A press conference was given at the Foreign 
Ministry by the head of the NRC, who disclosed the following 
about the report: 
 
¶1.  Reaffirmed that the situation in the southern province is 
neither a religious conflict nor separatism. 
 
¶2.  Concluded that the root causes of the problem in the 
southern provinces were poverty, lack of development, 
cultural differences as well as the failure of the justice 
system. 
 
¶3.  Proposed that the state clearly demonstrate that it 
chooses to engage in dialogue with the militants; resolving 
the problems of unemployment; improving the justice system; 
and using "Yawi" as working language to reduce the 
communication barriers between the local communities and 
authorities. 
 
--  The Government is reviewing the proposals made by the NRC 
 
END TEXT - THAI DIPLOMATIC NOTE. 
ARVIZU