Buddhists in Thailand’s Muslim-dominated south have gathered for a morale-boosting rally after the beheading of a Buddhist man this week stoked fears of sectarian conflict in the restive region. Tension between Muslims and Buddhists, who are the overwhelming majority in Thailand but are outnumbered four to one in the deep south, is on the rise after five months of attacks on government officials, teachers and security forces.
The Thai government called off talks between the military and a Muslim separatist group on Tuesday because of the beheading and an attack on a Chinese shrine popular with Buddhists. Some Buddhist temples have been ransacked and three monks killed this year.The unrest burst into major bloodshed on April 28 when police and soldiers killed 108 Muslim attackers, including 32 who had taken refuge in a mosque. "In the past, when monks went out for alms, children helpers followed to help carry food," said Phrakru Praphassorn Sirikul, abbot of the temple that hosted the gathering to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha."But nowadays when they go out, soldiers carry M-16s to protect them. This is very ugly," he said
The 1,000-strong rally of mainly government officials and students in Narathiwat, 1,200 km south of Bangkok, was billed as a morale booster for the region’s nervous Buddhist population. Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said the situation appeared to be improving after Bangkok sent in military reinforcements although authorities remain fearful of infiltration by foreign Islamic radicals and their ideas. "There is some influence from outside but we are trying to explain to our people what is the correct thing in the Koran," Chavalit told Reuters Television. Despite his assurances, Thais are evacuating the region. "Wealthy Buddhists have already fled their homes and the middle-class people are joining them," the abbot said. "Only the poor can’t afford to leave and they can barely nourish Buddhism. We may soon become another Indonesia where there are many Buddhist structures, but few followers." |