How Malaysia can help more with the Southern Thai conflict

Thai Rangers man a checkpoint in the Cha nea district in Thailand's restive southern province of Narathiwat in 2017. – AFP

THE conflict in Southern Thailand is more than 100 years old, the longest-running in the region, yet little is known about it. It is a direct result of the Anglo-Siam treaty of 1909 and the subsequent creation of the present-day border between Malaysia and Thailand.

Peace negotiations between Bangkok and Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) – the strongest among many insurgent groups fighting for an independent Patani state – have entered their fourth year with the latest talks expected to be held this month. Peace negotiations have actually been going on for almost two decades between numerous Thai administrations and different rebel groups but with little change. To date, more than 20,000 people have been injured and killed since 2004, the year when violence re-escalated after the Tak Bai massacre and Krue Se stand-off killing hundreds.