A country split in Twain

WHEN the 131 Thai Muslims fled across the border into the northeastern Malaysian state of Kelantan late last month, it not only caused a diplomatic kerfuffle between the two countries but also brought into scrutiny a different kind of conflict within Thai society. 

The Thai refugees said they feared for their lives after confronting soldiers investigating the murder of a local religious leader. They said they did not trust Thai officials, some of whom they suspected of involvement in the religious leader’s murder.