Thailand's government has no clear strategy towards peace

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) condemns the recent wave of terrorist attacks in southern Thailand. "Obviously, the acts of violence are supposed to disturb the peace talks which started in March," said the STP's Asia-expert, Ulrich Delius, in Göttingen on Thursday. On Wednesday evening, 32 bombings, arson attacks and robberies were committed against official institutions in southern Thailand.

The STP welcomes the fact that the government in Bangkok is still willing to continue the peace talks for southern Thailand. "But a credible peace process must include negotiations with all the twelve concurrent Muslim movements in the south of the country – not only one, as it is now," said Delius. "Also, the government should stop recruiting militias to form non-stately self-defense groups. They are creating a climate of violence and mistrust, especially in the rural areas. Furthermore, they are not sufficiently trained to secure safety and to respect human rights – and they aren't subject to any kind of control. This is not they way to try and secure peace, it will only cause more violence." The self-defense groups – which cooperate with the army – consist of about 50,000 armed militia members. On February 12, 2013, the government decided to arm 2,700 more militiamen.

Thousands of people have fallen victim to the civil war in southern Thailand – which is predominantly Muslim – since 2004. Armed Muslim groups are fighting against the Thai army, trying to enforce more autonomy or own statehood. The Muslims call the region Patani.