The deadly bomb attacks in Hat Yai and Yala’s Muang district on March 31 which left 14 people dead and hundreds injured might be intended to send a message to the central government in Bangkok that the hardcore Islamic militants oppose peace talks and want nothing short of a separate homeland in the Deep South.

The alliance of southern separatist groups known as the Mara Patani told the Thai and Malaysian media in Kuala Lumpur on August 27 that they wanted the government to make peace talks a national agenda and that they were the negotiating party to bring about peace in southern provinces.

Ramadan or the holy month of fasting for Muslims throughout the world is approaching. In the three southernmost provinces where Muslims are predominant, several interesting movements have taken place by the Muslim clerics and the Thai security before the Ramadan which was speculated to start on June 18 in most places.

Recent bombing of high voltage pylons in Tharnto district of Narathiwat is believed by security officials to be an attempt by the anti-government militants to undermine the economy of Betong district of Yala.

The widow of missing human rights lawyer Somchai Nilapaichit will receive 7.5 million baht in compensation as a special case as decided on Sunday June 10 by a panel led by Justice Minister Pracha Promnok.