Publication

This paper discusses the political insurgency in southern Thailand and analyzes if the waves of violence have been based on ethnic or religious conflict. The author states that while both religious and ethnic factors have contributed to the confrontations in southern Thailand, a main aspect has also been the issue of cultural identity and cultural independence of the Malay Islamic minority in Southern Thailand, as well as the previous historic attempts of the Thai government to forcefully assimilate the Malay population. The paper explains that resolving the ethnic and religious conflict by identifying and implementing policies for better approaching and integrating the Malay population will be the key challenges facing Thai prime minister Thaksin during his second term in office.