Many of you may be aware, at least in a general way, of the ongoing violence in southern Thailand. From time to time I receive questions from friends and family about my safety, usually after a particular bombing or other incident makes its way into the international media.
This violence, with its deep roots and multiple causes, has claimed more than 2,700 lives in the past four years and completely disrupted life in the three southernmost provinces, an area that was already economically distressed.
I won’t go into the history or a detailed discussion of the insurgency – there’s a well-written article here on Wikipedia – but I was confronted by the reality of it, in a very unexpected way, a few weeks ago at Don Meuang Airport.
In the lobby, set against a wall, is an acrylic box collecting donations to buy bullet-proof vests for policemen and teachers.
One of the biggest impacts on the south has been the closure of schools. As symbols of the government, schools and teachers are often targeted for violence. Schools are bombed, teachers are beheaded and their bodies burned – affecting both Muslim and Buddhist communities and students.
Starting in November 2006, schools in the three southernmost provinces were indefinitely shut down. To this day, many of the schools are still closed primarily because very few people are willing to be teachers there. Teachers have transferred out of the provinces or quit altogether, for fear of their lives.
It is a terrible situation. Sadly, donation boxes may not be the best way to protect people there. Based on the contents of the box (pictured below), I’m not putting a lot of faith in it.
Here’s to a hope that one day, people learn to live in peace. It may be a futile hope, but I still have it.
christao408 
It is so sad! Thailand is a beautiful country! I maybe in Bangkok mid-August, is it safe? 🙂
@stevew918 – Bangkok is perfectly safe so long as you look at the sidewalk where you’re walking. Otherwise, you might twist an ankle. Oh, you’ll be here just after I’m in LA. Let’s coordinate.
一個來自香港的女生作嘅四川賑災歌, 給大家分享一下~
a girl from Hong Kong, just want to express my support for the Xichuan people through this song, You must be strong!( and also to those who are going through hard time)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtdViREK3Ps
還有她的blog呢~ http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/bmachitayu
Oh my gosh! That’s so scary that they are relying on donations to get vital supplies like the bullet proof vests.
So sad they need the bulletproof vest in the first place. I was aware of the violence and the underlying causes. I agree with you sentiment. In the words of John Lennon, “Just give peace a try”
Thank you for sharing this. It’s very sad.
Violence in schools is always so terrible sad. Beslan is still one of the most terrible tragedies of our time I think.
@TheCheshireGrins – I was reminded of the bumper sticker I’ve read, about the day when schools are fully funded and the air force has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber.
@stebow – @allthingsbarbara – @CareyGLY – Thanks for the comments; I hope we see some sliver of hope soon but the tough talk of the current Thai government seems only to incite more violence.
this was a horribly sad, horribly eye-opening post =O!!! “As symbols of the government, schools and teachers are often targeted for violence. Schools are bombed, teachers are beheaded and their bodies burned – affecting both Muslim and Buddhist communities and students.” That’s HORRIBLE!
@watashi_no_sekai – It really is a shame. When you see the interviews with parents and students on all sides of the conflict, you realize that they really are the innocent victims. They don’t care about ideology – they just want to learn and go to school. I remember seeing an interview with two Muslim girls whose school had just been burned down and they were crying, saying they didn’t understand why anyone would do this to them. Very sad, indeed.
@christao408 – Let there be peace.