‘Red Mosques’: Mitigating Violence Against Sacred Spaces in Thailand and Beyond

Abstract

On 12 July 2010, the defence consultancy IHS Jane’s released a statement sent to them by the Patani Malay Liberation Movement (PMLM) declaring that the insurgents in southern Thailand had unilaterally suspended attacks on government targets and security forces in three districts — Rangae, Yi Ngo and Cho-Airong in Narathiwat province — for about one month beginning on 10 June 2010, expiring on 17 July 2010. The PMLM also pointed out that it ‘probably would be pleased to renew and extend the suspension of hostilities’ if the Thai government indicated its ‘commitment to a serious dialogue on the future of the southern provinces’ (Bangkok Post, 14 July 2010). They also qualified the ceasefire as covering only ‘organized attacks on security forces and attacks on government targets’ (The Straits Times, 14 July 2010). On 13 July, however, the government extended the emergency decrees in the three southern provinces for another three months until 19 October 2010, claiming that the decree was crucial for the security officials to do their job (Bangkok Post, 14 July 2010).