Thailand

Thai Buddhist Vigilante Squads Suspected

August 7, 2007

Author: RUNGRAWEE C. PINYORAT

Source: Guardian Unlimited

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6833183,00.html

KOLOMUDO VILLAGE, Thailand (AP) - The black-uniformed raiders roared into this Thai Muslim village, firing assault rifles and hurling grenades from a pickup truck at a group of teenagers relaxing near the mosque. When the attack was over, five of the youths lay dead.

As they have done in the past, authorities...

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Thailand Seeks Closer Ties with Muslim Nations

August 3, 2007

Author: Ron Corben

Source: VOA News

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-08-03-voa11.cfm

The Thai Government is seeking closer links with Muslim countries, part of a two-pronged strategy to end separatist violence in three of its southern provinces. Even as the government was announcing the plan, at least 13 more people died in the area this week in bombing and shooting attacks. Ron Corben reports from Bangkok.

A security report released by...

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Thai Security Forces Accused of Beating Suspected Muslim Insurgent to Death

July 28, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: International Herald Tribune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/28/asia/AS-GEN-Thailand-Southern-Violence.php

BANGKOK, Thailand: Security forces beat to death a Muslim man suspected in the execution-style slaughter of eight Buddhists in Thailand's insurgency-plagued south, a human rights group claimed Saturday.

The prime...

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Hundreds of Buddhist Monks to Spend Buddhist Lent in Violence-Wrecked Southern Thailand

July 25, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: International Herald Tribune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/25/asia/AS-GEN-Thailand-Southern-Violence.php

BANGKOK, Thailand: Hundreds of yellow-robed Buddhist monks arrived in Muslim-dominated southern Thailand on Wednesday at the start of Buddhist Lent in the hope their presence will promote peace in the insurgency-wracked region....

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Thai Charter Drafters Reject Buddhism as National Religion

June 30, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Yahoo! News

Wire Service: AFP

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070630/wl_asia_afp/thailandpoliticsconstitutionreligion

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's constitution writers have rejected a plea to name Buddhism as the national religion, a drafter said Saturday, despite protests and hunger strikes by campaigning monks. ADVERTISEMENT

The Constitution...

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Four Killed in Thailand's Rebellious Muslim South

June 19, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSBKK113980._CH_.2400

BANGKOK, June 19 (Reuters) - Suspected Muslim separatist rebels killed four people, including a district chief and an army colonel, in Thailand's rebellious Muslim south, police said on Tuesday.

One soldier was killed and two wounded late on Monday as they clashed with militants who set fire to a school in Pattani,...

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Push to Include Buddhism in New Constitution

April 10, 2007

Source: Radio Australia

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/asiapac/programs/s1893868.htm

Thailand is in the middle of drafting a new constitution. Many lobby groups have been voicing their opinions since the drafting process began last September. But one of the most controversial lobbyists is the Thai Buddhist clergy, who are again calling for the religion to be part of the new constitution.

HILL: Buddhism's influence on Thai culture is obvious to even a...

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1,000 Buddhists Rally in Thailand Against Muslim Insurgents

March 31, 2007

Source: Beliefnet

Wire Service: AP

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/214/story_21483_1.html

Saba Yoi, Thailand - Hundreds of Buddhists rallied in Thailand's restive south Monday in anger over a bloody Islamic insurgency amid fears it could erupt into a sectarian battle between religious communities, officials said.

Protesters demanded that civilians be allowed to carry guns to protect themselves, and urged authorities to resist...

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