Troubles in the South - January-March 2008 Troubles in the South index page The forgotten province - March 13, 2008 [An alarmist article from the Post, "Islamist win raises concern" (March 11, 2008), misstates several facts. Thanks to GWR for spotting this.] ...Malaysian voters put opposition parties in all three of the Malaysian states on Thailand's southern border... [Wrong--there are four Malaysian border provinces.] For the first time, Islamist governments will rule Malaysian states abutting all five Muslim-majority provinces in the South. In addition to parts of Yala, Kedah borders the province of Satun - which has seen no violence since the southern insurgency flared up in 2004... [Wrong, the Malaysian province of Perlis borders Satun--and that remains under government control. Unfortunate that when the Bangkok Post finally decides to have an opinion, they get the facts wrong.] Fourth year anniversary - Missing Lawyer Somchai - The Nation, March 12, 2008 Angkhana Neelaphaichit delivers a statement at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on the fourth anniversary of the disappearance of her husband, Somchai, on Wednesday. While this statement is read, I am at the United Nations' Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Switzerland, to present a report on the human rights situation in Thailand and also to report on the latest developments and obstacles in the investigation of the disappearance of Mr Somchai Neelapaichit, which was taken up by the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (UNWGED) four years ago... (Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) Sign in the deep south - February 21, 2008 A sign made from the that the military set up in a red area in front of Ban Luemu Mosque, Amphur Krongpinang, Yala. It reads: Declaration - People who love peace, please know that the unrest group usually leaves the leaflets this area. Please do not believe in these bad intentions for the nation. (Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com) Yala billboard - February 23, 2008 It reads: Stop doing bad now. Read! Islam: the truth that must be revealed. Yala governor [On the book it reads: Islam - the truth that must be revealed.] Police must under no circumstances be given responsibility for protecting witnesses from other police - An Open Letter to the Minister of Justice of Thailand by the Asian Human Rights Commission, February 20, 2008 ...According to the information we have received, Angkhana Neelaphaijit, the wife of abducted human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit, will from February 29 no longer receive protection from personnel assigned by the Department of Special Investigation, Ministry of Justice. Instead, the Department will give police officers the task... Muslim rebel leader calls for referendum on autonomy for restive southern Thailand - AP, February 22, 2008 [Thanks to Marc for pointing this out.] ...The comments from Lukman B. Lima, who heads the Pattani United Liberation Organization from exile in Sweden, were the first from the Muslim rebel movement since Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his interior minister made conflicting remarks on the issue earlier this month... Troubles in the South index page