Mariyam Ahmad

1 month ago | benarnews.org | Mariyam Ahmad |Nontarat Phaicharoen

NGOs and opposition politicians blamed a spike in violence in Thailand’s Deep South on unclear governmental peace policies and stalled negotiations with rebels, after attacks by suspected insurgents killed six people and injured about a dozen others since Saturday. According to the Thai military, separate rebels in the mainly Malay Muslim southern border region were intensifying violence during the holy month of Ramadan, which began here on March 2.

1 month ago | benarnews.org | Mariyam Ahmad |Nontarat Phaicharoen

Former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra’s recent apology about a 2004 massacre that took place under his watch and his new role as adviser to ASEAN chair Malaysia could potentially influence peace talks in Thailand’s southern border provinces, security analysts said. Peace negotiations between Bangkok and Malay Muslim separatist rebels have shown no signs of resuming in the more than six months since Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, became Thailand’s prime minister.

Oct 3, 2024 | benarnews.org | Mariyam Ahmad |Nontarat Phaicharoen

Pattani police in Thailand’s far south charged two activists and three students on Thursday with organizing an event last year where participants were asked to take part in a mock referendum on self-determination for the border region. The charges, which accused the five of threatening Thai national security, have reignited debate about free speech and freedom of assembly in the mainly Muslim Malay region, where a separatist insurgency has simmered for two decades.

Sep 6, 2024 | benarnews.org | Mariyam Ahmad

Penduduk wilayah sempadan selatan Thailand menggesa agar kerajaan baharu Perdana Menteri Paetongtarn Shinawatra menggunakan "tekad politik" untuk menyelesaikan masalah ekonomi dan menjayakan rundingan damai di wilayah yang dilanda pemberontakan. Wilayah yang majoritinya Melayu Islam dan dipenuhi gerakan ketenteraan di sempadan Malaysia sudah lama bergelut dengan cabaran berkaitan pemberontakan dan ekonomi yang kompleks.

Sep 5, 2024 | benarnews.org | Mariyam Ahmad

Residents of Thailand’s southern border provinces are calling for the new government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to use “political determination” to solve economic concerns and advance peace talks in the insurgency-stricken region. This mainly Malay Muslim and heavily militarized region by the Malaysian border has long grappled with complex insurgency- and economic-related challenges.