Thai coup leader: Muslim close to king ('religion of peace' takeover?)

AFP & Newindpress ^ | Sept 20, 2006

[jdm]

BANGKOK: General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the leader of the coup attempt in Thailand, is the first Muslim to head the Buddhist nation's army and is known to be close the country's revered king Sonthi, 59, a decorated combat veteran, had publicly clashed with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra over security policy in the run-up to Tuesday's military takeover in Bangkok.

His appointment last year as army commander-in-Chief was widely seen as a bid by the government to end a violent Islamic insurgency in the Muslim-majority South. Muslims make up just four percent of the kingdom's population.

Sonthi's supporters said at the time that he could help counter the impression that the government discriminates against Muslims. He had advocated talks with militants as a way out of the violence that has killed more than 1,400 people since January 2004, but was rebuffed by the government, which publicly quashed any hopes for negotiations.

Sonthi graduated from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1969 and was commissioned to the royal army infantry corps, before going on to lead several top units, including the elite special warfare command.

More recently he became embroiled in the kingdom's political deadlock, acting at Times as an unofficial voice for Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the crisis, which has gripped the country for most of the year.

Sonthi let it be known publicly that king was upset at the continued bickering.

[jdm]

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the leader of the coup attempt in Thailand, is the first Muslim to head the Buddhist nation's army

It's starting to make sense now.

[Paladin2]

How does this make sense again? The 4% of Muslims are up to their old violins, so the king caputalates to them?

[REDWOOD99]

Clam down! Nobody caputalated.

[MrEdd]

Thailand?

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

THAILAND!???

[CurlyDave]

I am beginning to sense a strong need for arms assistance to the 96% of the Thais who are not muslims.

[rogue yam]

I am beginning to sense a strong need for arms assistance to the 96% of the Thais who are not muslims.

They have all of the arms, manpower, and cash they need. What they have lacked, so far, is the will to do what is necessary. Kind of like us, really.

[Hong Kong Expat]

Not even close. Shinawatra has been stepping on the toes of the powerful in Thailand, but a few months ago got involved in a major financial scandal. They have been having economic stability problems and political turmoil ever since. And Thais don't like turmoil.

Shinawatra has major support in the rural communities, the Army is going to stay away from there.

I'm guessing the King had something to do with this. So what's probably going to happen, the General will force Shinawatra to step down, and hold elections a few months from now.

There will be negotiations with the Muslims, they have honest grievances.

[Tzimisce]

Not surprised...

[kingsurfer]

There will be negotiations with the Muslims, they have honest grievances.
___________________________________________________________

True.

For those that do not know Thailand's history:

The muslims make up 4 southern provinces which were annexed from Malaya (as it was then known). They have a different language, culture and religion. Thaksin pissed them all off and helped reignite a decades old struggle.

They will listen to Sondhi and the King.

[GinJax]

Some of the best coverage can be found here:
http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/

[scatterometer]

"There will be negotiations with the Muslims, they have honest grievances"

Really.

And just what might those be?

Do the muzlimnazis in this (USA) country have valid grievances same as the thai nazis .... how about the palestinian nazis...same valid grievances. Etc..

Sorry hombre....muzlimnazis in the South have plumb used up the sympathy card for their "plight" and "grievances".

Killing kids/innocents/students and teachers will do that.

These turds can pick up and head from Yala and Pattani a short distance south and cross over into paradise aka Indonesia. They don't.

You -in my opinion must be seeing a world situation that most cannot see regarding these muzlimnazis.

Other than that, good insight into the Thaksin situation.

[scatterometer]

Correction : not Indonesia, Northern Malaysia.

Like there is a big difference.

[kingsurfer]

You should see my earlier post regarding the history of their complaints - they are not ethnically or culturally Thai and their provinces were annexed. Apart from Hat Yai they have left the rest of Thailand alone.

The stuff Thaksin ordered against the CIVILIAN population there was wrong. Many innocent people died. Thaksin handled the situation very badly.

[kingsurfer]

Correction : not Indonesia, Northern Malaysia.

Like there is a big difference.

___________________________________________________________

They are quite different countries actually. Malaysia is far more advanced and a lot less "explosive".

[GinJax]

I would argue on the 'explosive' idea. Almost all of the attacks that happened in the US were planned in Malaysia(KL).

Indonesia has alot more religious freedom than Malaysia. In Malaysia, you cannot be a Malay non-muslim. It's that simple. You carry around your National Id in Malaysia, that has your religion on it. Nice

Indonesia actually has parts were Christians outnumber the Muslims. Not so in Malaysia. Also, most of the Terrorist like Nadal and such are actually Malays who go over in Indonesia to cause havoc.

[dcrider182]

Ahhh so they appointed this Military guy to APPEASE the Muslims..as to NOT have a coup take over.. ...wait don't the Dem's want to APPEASE the same said Muslims???

how dumb can Lib's be..

[scatterometer]

I agree as to Thaksin's mis-direction targeting civilians.
He will be leaving.

"Apart from Hat Yai they have left the rest of Thailand alone."
Not likely much solace to the scores of truly innocent victims you glibbly pass over. I know you don't think they deserve what they got simply because they live in the area....

As for leaving the rest of Thailand alone.
I must sarcastically note that sure seems to hold true when dealing with imperialistic muzlimnazis in today's world doesn't it? They'll never think to take their jihad to Bkk. Or NY. Or London. Or Spain. Or Bosnia. Or Washington. Or Bali.

As for the annexation - too bad. Don't like it then move.
NO Excuse for beheading civilians, wait....ANYBODY!
Those dead children were born in Southern Thailand. Not some stupid imaginary formerly muzlim territory and they certainly had the right to continue their lives.

[Hong Kong Expat]

Do you actually know anything about the Thai Muslims?

[scatterometer]

Malaysia is more potentially more explosive sir. Wealthier and more sophisticated in their nazi ways than Indonesia.

Indonesia is less so.....just not enough organized anger at the west there yet. I'd say give it time as they have the largest Muslim population. Plus the Gov't wants investment to bring the people out of their poverty (and line their own pockets possibly as well).