The recent incident that took place in Narathiwat where eleven

people were killed was given wide coverage by the Malaysian

mass media for several days and there were carefully-worded but
clearly defined comments that these killings were the work of the
Thai military.

Villagers were 'quoted' as saying that local separatists would

never commit such a crime inside the compounds of a religious
building and therefore the Thai military was responsible.

Malaysian politicians and the Malaysian mass media have been

very extremely interested in the situation in south Thailand
all these years. The former Thai premier, Thaksin, was often
lambasted in the Malaysian media due to the widely perceived
notion that he was greatly responsible for the 'sufferings'
of the villagers in south Thailand.

The depth of Malaysian interference in the internal affairs of

Thailand, whether directly or indirectly, plus the ineffective
control of the situation in the south by the Thai authorities
could spell potential trouble for the future. The 2 neighbours
might possibly resort to armed actions on the common border.

Armed conflict might not be entirely impossible, as fighting

between soldiers has happened more than once on the Cambodian-
Thai border and not too long ago, an explosion at a Malaysian
army post was initially blamed on Thai soldiers. The situation
is made worse by the tendency of the Malaysian side to provide
the separatists with moral support.

Malaysian politicians and mass media have often moaned about

'oppression', 'neglect' and 'hardship' endured by the people
in south Thailand. Absolutely nothing was mentioned about the
presence of bomb-making experts and serious military hardware
found within the areas infiltrated by separatist militants.

The Thai authorities however must shoulder much of the blame for
the violence now taking place in south Thailand. The country has
been busy trying to meddle in the affairs of other countries,
especially in Myanmar and Cambodia, but it could not control
the criminals and armed militants who operate freely in the
south of the country. Contract killings, robberies, smuggling
and kidnapping are rife in the region. Bribery and corruption
are endemic as well. The Thai police and military have been
unable to exert their authority and local Mafias and religious
extremists have taken full advantage of it. Added to this is
the attitude of the Malaysian authorities who happily liked to
meddle in the internal affairs of south Thailand when given the
slightest opportunity.

Thailand should employ grid security measures in the south.

The entire region should be marked out and each area assigned
to a particular security unit and round the clock roadblocks
set up to monitor the movement of people and vehicles. Over
time, the security will improve and others would be less able
to meddle in the internal affairs of the region.

The Malaysian authorities should also play their part. Stop

meddling in the internal affairs of south Thailand. Stop the
practice of sending 'journalists' over the border to 'interview'
local residents. These actions are actually aimed at inflaming
the emotions of the people there and thereby make it difficult
for calm and reconciliation to take hold. The result is sure
to produce more shootings and bombings.

The Malaysian authorities should instead take care of things

on its side of the border or fence. Smuggling of contraband
items is widespread partly, due to the big presence of corrupt
officials at all the border checkpoints. Guns, bullets, drugs,
firecrackers and illegal immigrants enter the country very
easily through the border with south Thailand and this has
been going on for many years already. Therefore the authorities
must concentrate on these issues and not go interfere in areas
where we are not needed at all.

The call by a certain rising Malaysian politician to 'investigate'

the shootings that took place on Monday (8 June) is a blatant
interference in the internal affairs of Thailand. There have
been almost countless shootings and bombings in south Thailand
since 2004, most of which were carried out by separatist extremists
no doubt encouraged and supported by Malaysian sympathisers and
the Thai authorites since have had their hands stretched to the
full to counter the violence. The Thai authorities know well enough
of the reasons behind the violence and they don't need Malaysian
politicians to teach them or tell them what to do.

Malaysian politicians should instead focus on things back home.

The worsening crime situation here needs serious attention right
away. The corruption and bribery that is still so rampant needs
tackling immediately. Don't waste precious time watching what your
neighbour is doing. Watch your own house instead.

If the Malaysian authorities fail to recognise the error of their

ways, and the violence in south Thailand continues to worsen, we
could end up with a military conflict at the border. If that were
to happen, who do you think should take the blame ?

Malaysia must learn to be good neighbours with Thailand and allow

the Thais to solve their own problems. The same with other problems
in other countries like Myanmar, Singapore and eleswhere. Always
take a look at yourself in the mirror first !! You were NEVER
anywhere near perfect even in the slightest after all.