Since 2004, over 3,300 people have been killed in southern Thailand as the result of an Islamic insurgency. It seems militants always turn to what they know best- violence- to make a point. And we can add 2 more to that number. Two Buddhist brothers on their way to class at a community college, were ambushed and gunned down on Saturday; then, to add insult to injury, their bodies were set on fire. The murderers left a note by the bodies warning the government not to harm the Muslims in the area and saying “this is a revenge on state officials.” One of the victims happened to be an assistant village headman.

The majority-Muslim south has had problems for decades, but the troubles apparently escalated in 2004.

Some claim that the insurgency is based on historic causes including a 200 year “occupation”, the 1960s resettlement of northeastern Thais and to Thai cultural and economic imperialism in Pattani, including allegations of police brutality, criminal activity, disrespect of Islam, the presence of culturally in-sensitive businesses such as bars, drug trafficking, and corruption. However, there are counter claims that drug trafficking is one source of insurgent money.accuses the country’s Buddhist majority of discrimination.

The insurgents target civilians - teachers and students, Buddhist villagers simply doing a job, and fellow Muslims they feel have collaborated with the Buddhists. In 2008 alone, there were more than 500 attacks by insurgents, and more than 300 people were killed.

On the other hand,

Muslims have been beaten, killed, or “disappeared” during police questioning and custody. Human Rights Watch has documented at least 20 such disappearances. Soldiers and police have sometimes been indiscriminate when pursuing suspected insurgents resulting in civilian collateral damage.

The military reacts to violence from the militants with violence, and the cycle begins. Violence only begets violence. If the insurgents wish to not have their rights violated, they need to cease being violent. But I doubt that will ever happen. They will continue to bomb, behead and gun down innocent people to reach their objectives.