The current insurgency began on 4 January, 2004. A military base in Narathiwat province was raided, with four soldiers killed. A large arsenal of weaponry, with more than 300 guns, including AK-47 and M16 rifles, was stolen. On the same night, twenty schools in the south were set ablaze, in what is called "the night of the fires". For many insurgents, schools are seen as symbols of authority, and as they promote the Thai language, rather than the Malay dialect (Yawi) of the local populace, even Muslim schools and teachers have become victims.
The three southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, as well as two districts of Songkhla province, formerly comprised an independent sultanate called Pattani. This was invaded by Siam (Thailand) in 1786. In 1902, the sultanate became officially annexed into Thailand. For fifty years, there have been movements to have the territory of Pattani secede from Thailand. Some insurgent factions desire a clean break from Thailand, while others merely wish to improve the conditions of Muslims in the southern provinces, who comprise 80% of the local population. The current insurgency has so far claimed the lives of at least 1,700 people.
There are several groups of insurgents in the south. Some of the main insurgent groups are: Pattani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo), New Pattani United Liberation Organisation, Barisan Revolusi National (BRN), Gerakan Mujahideen Islam Pattani (GMIP), United Front for the Independence of Pattani (Bersatu or Barisan Bersatu Kemerdekaan Pattani), Mujahideen Pattani Movement (BNP), Barisan National Pember-Basab Pattani (BNPP), and Mujahideen Islam Pattani.
Other groups which have recently become prominent are the Runda Kampulan Kecil (RKK) which is an offshoot of BRN (the Barisan Revolusi Nasional), and also Permuda, which is the youth wing of BRN. Most of the leadership of Pulo, a group which appears to have little involvement with the current insurgency, are in exile in Sweden. Pulo are nonetheless influential, and are involved in talks towards peace.
The main factions are engaged in the peace talks, which are being brokered by Malaysia's former prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Perdana Global Peace Organisation. Some of the groups want a complete secession from Thailand, while others demand more rights for the Muslims in the south.
Wan Kadir Che Wan, the president of Barisan Bersatu Kemerdekaan Pattani (Bersatu), a coalition of five separatist groups, has said that Mahathir has helped create trust between Muslim leaders in the south and the Thai authorities. The five groups in Bersatu's coalition (which had been formed in August 1989) only seek a change in some government policies, rather than seeking independence from Thailand.
Other groups such as Runda Kampulan Kecil and Permuda, the youth wing of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional, seem to be acting as independent agents.
Some insurgents want to continue the mayhem, and plan to intensify the violence. A source told the Bangkok Post on November 19 that the groups funded by foreign money want to keep the insurgency going. During Ramadan, 6,000,000 baht ($163,908) of donations were sent to insurgents, the source said. The Muslim donors came from Egypt, Libya, Sweden, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The Runda Kampulan Kecil (RKK) has no intentions of engaging with any peace deals. Its operatives have been celebrating at their success in driving Buddhists out of their homes in Than To and Bannag Sata districts of Yala province.
The issue of the funding of the insurgency has over the past week become a a source of contention between Malaysia and Thailand. Wan Kadir Che Wan, leader of the Bersatu coalition, said from his undisclosed location outside of Thailand on Tuesday (November 21) that the violence in the south was unlikely to end. H
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