The barbaric murder of monks by separatists in the deep South once again discredits their claim to be responsible enough to govern the region. Worse, it comes at a time when the Thai and Malaysian governments are again offering a coordinated olive branch and appeal to decency.
The so-called leaders of the southern insurgency have called upon their continually dwindling numbers of supporters to fight on. But they have no plan for peace, and no blueprint for the future of the four southernmost provinces.
Unfortunately, neither does this government nor its predecessors. Southern bandits and separatists began their violent resistance during the time of the worst of the Thai military dictatorships. The oldest continuing group is the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN). It is probably behind last Friday's terroristic temple invasion, murder and wounding of four monks. In the 56 years it has battled "Siamese occupation", the BRN has been only a murderous and unhelpful impediment to peace in the South and the dreams and capabilities of the citizens it claims to represent.
Today, the southern Philippines is holding a referendum. The outcome of the peaceful vote will determine whether the Muslim-majority Mindanao region will gain more self-rule. There are similarities and differences between the southern areas of the Philippines and Thailand. The main one is that the Filipinos have made the decision to decide their future peacefully. Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur should be doing much more to encourage a similar outcome in the still-embattled Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Pattani provinces.
Since the very beginning of the separatists' low-level war against Thai rule, every government has quite properly rejected secession. But every government up to today has also failed to take the rather obvious step of offering to consider the legitimate grievances of the southern minority. This policy stubbornness has had two negative results. Terrible violence has occurred without consideration of alternatives.
It should, at last, be clear to the Prayut Chan-o-cha government that the army will not "win" the southern conflict. On Jan 4, the 15th anniversary of the latest separatist uprising, the BRN swore to keep fighting. Its propaganda alleged that "Siam can't hold out", and warned people, "Do not help and support Siam". The warning has teeth, as last week's bombs, daylight ambushes and the insufferable attack on the monks showed. And if the Royal Thai Army cannot definitively win this conflict, it is even more certain that the BRN stand no chance of military victory either.
The government, its formal negotiating parties and especially the BRN should consider the example of the Philippines. That country is far ahead of Thailand in establishing peace. But it only got to today's plebiscite by goodwill and deucedly tough negotiating -- and not by murders, beheadings, bombings and ambushes.
Peace will come to the deep South through the hard work and vision of men and women dedicated to serving the people of the region. The Thai military and the separatists comprise a minority. All citizens of the South must be given a voice as peace talks proceed. This is why it is vital for all parties to agree to come to the peace table now.