Konflik Selatan Thailand Pasca Thaksin Shinawatra (The Post Thaksin Shinawatra Conflict In Southern Thailand)

Abstract

Thailand’s military coup of 2006 did not bring the hoped for changes to the conflict and violence that had been prevalent in its southern province. The military supremacy of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanoth’s government saw an initial reduction in violent incidents, but the transfer of power to three Prime Ministers in quick sucession, namely Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wongsawat and Chaovarat Chanweerakul, saw an alarming escalation of brutal conflict. This situation arose in part because the three leaders failed to focus on negotiation or reconciliation incentives with the rebel factions as the national political struggle assumed priority. In 2009, then prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiya took a variety of steps to directly target terrorist activities in southern Thailand but met with little success. This article discusses the issues in southern Thailand and the successive measures of each government to resolve it, arguing that the failure to address the fundamental reasons for the struggle by any post Thaksin Shinawatra Prime Minister has contributed to the conflict’s longevity.