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Thailand South Border Problem Fact 11 - A Just, Logical SolutionThailand South Border Problem Fact 11 - A Just, Logical Solution
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Fact 11: To summarise, the current situation CANNOT be solved by current methodologies. Indeed, more heartache and sufferings will be incurred by all sides if we do not conceive a just, logical solution. Solution? Lets take the baby steps first:- 1. Thailand must finally officially recognize the existence of a separatist problem in the south driven NOT by religion (the usual Islamic terrorism, Taliban, Al Qaeda, JI, ad nauseum) but by a strong, inextinguishable sense of ethnic identity, i.e., the 4.5 million Malays in their own homeland currently illogically and precariously tethered as a sore appendage to the Siamese Kingdom. 2. Thailand respects the unique cultural, historical, religious and linguistic heritage of the region. Thailand takes note of the special historical ties stretching many centuries between the Siamese and Malays in this region. Indeed, the heritage of the Malays (remember, never ever call them Thai muslims again) of the south has enriched Thai culture in general and has made Thailand the real microcosm of southeast Asian identity, the bridge between the two great cultural spheres of the Malay Archipelago and the Indochinese peninsular. 3. To acknowledge the unique heritage of the Malay states, a degree of autonomy would be bestowed upon the region, to be collectively called The Autonomous Region of Pattani Darussalam (ARPD), which will encompass the five southern provinces. 4. ARPD will be governed by a leader elected directly by citizens of the region. 5. Malay is the official language of the ARPD. Thai will remain as an officially recoqnized second language and protected by statute. 6. ARPD shall exercise control over natural resources, regional development, domestic trade, domestic taxation, land matters, domestic immigration, domestic security, local law & customs, and the education system. 7. The Thai central govt. shall have sovereignty over national defense, currency, international relations, international trade, and inter-regional relations within Thailand. 8. Malaysia should be a party to guarantee perfomance of the ARPD framework. Lets face it, whether anyone likes it or not, Malaysia is Thailand's only hope of salvaging the situation in the south. Through obvious ethnic, linguistic and religious affinity with the Pattani Malay States, Malaysia will ensure the security and stability of the region through measures perceived as favourable by the Malays of Pattani. Correspondingly, Thailand's sovereignty over the Pattani Malay states would remain (again guaranteed by Malaysia) UNTIL it is deemed necessary by the UN to conduct a referendum (a la East Timor) to determine the people's preferences. This process may take up to a decade or more.
Are there similar arrangements anywhere in the world? Sure, you have Catalunya and Galicia in Spain, Mindanao in the Phillipines, and many other countries practising the federal system of government (US, Germany, Australia, UAE). Actually, Thailand should look no further than its neighbour Malaysia. How do you think KL can govern the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak (separated by 1,000km of the South China Sea)? Why no separatists there? Because, these states have all the rights in the world, including share of natural resources, power over land matters, control of migration from peninsular Malaysians, recoqnition of native languages, customs and festivals, etc.
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For more about the problems on Thailand's southern border, please see our page with over 10 facts about the problem at Thailand's Southern Border Problems .
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