Terrorist escalation in the South
Catholics do not feel targeted for now.
Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) Fears about renewed terrorism in southern Thailand are growing. A source close to Thai security services claims that Islamic separatists organised in the United Front for the Independence of Pattani or Bersatu (Malay for United) might resort to kidnapping people and attacking high profile targets should the government carry out its threatened crackdown. The Thai government had taken a hard-line approach to separatist insurgents fighting for an independent Muslim state in the country's south.
Since the start of the year more than 300 people have died. A judge in Pattani province was assassinated just last week. "The more government cracks down against them, the more likely they are to retaliate at a similar level," the source said.
In the last few months rumours have circulated about possible negotiations between the authorities and the insurgents over greater autonomy for areas with Muslim majorities but have never gotten off the ground.
In the meantime, 200 Catholics from the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala met at Slungai Kolok (800 km south of Bangkok) to celebrate the feast days of Saint Monica and her son Saint Augustine. Two local chapels are dedicated to the saints.
Salesian Fr Gustav Roosens, celebrated mass in what he called a "family atmosphere" in spite of a bomb attack the previous day that killed one person and injured 27 in neighbouring Sukhrin district.
Although "the violence kept many people away" according to Father Roosens, he does not think that Christians are likely targets. "I always travel around in my cassock," he said, "to serve the Lord in my work so I am not worried."
Sathaporn Pinyo, a parishioner in Slungai Kolok, believes that the crisis is political and does not affect Catholics. "There is no problem here since people of different religions live together in peace," he stressed.
Thailand has a population of about 60 million, 95 per cent Buddhist. Muslims are only 4 per cent concentrated in the south. Christians are only 0.5 per cent. (LF)
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18/07/2005
