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Latest Update: 100 Clips, 100 Voices, 100 Views on One Question: Governance and Administration of the Deep South, the Way it Should be?

(all translations are from Thai or the Thai subtitle -> English)

 

 Title

Mr. Magata Ma
Former President of the Narathiwat Islamic Association
 
"The idea of General Chaowalit appears to be the most concrete approach in solving the problem.  It is a model of decentralization to the local area.  In the past, the problem could not be solved, but General Chaowalit's model should be able to solve the problem.  It is the most democratic approach. It is a form of democracy."

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Acting Sub Lt. Adul Wan-sakul
(Regional Manager) Charoen Phokrapand Co., Ltd.
 
"In Pattani Province, as most people practices Islam, so the administration in my personal opinion...what the people want the most...is for the person who take care of this area must be a Muslim as they would have a better understanding of Islam.  As for the format, I think that at the very least, the people must have 100% of their voice heard. I mean, with regard to identity, religion, and culture, I still agree with the administrative practice of the Pattani City model.  This way, people can solve problems by themselves, but they will be a part of Thailand under the Constitution."

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Sitiaesoh Dureh, PharmD
Nong Chik Hospital, Pattani
 
"The most appropriate form of administration here, in my own view, I think that it should be in a form which is acceptable to most people here, and can be used in the context of the people here, but still be under the Constitution of Thailand"

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Mrs. Kholiyoh Hali
Resident, Baan Som, Tambon Kuan Noli, Khok Pho District, Pattani Province
 
"Well, if possible, in the 3 provinces the people should be given more power.  Well, the idea about autonomy, city state, or that kind of thing...it's something that people here do not have a really deep knowledge about.  The best approach to solve this issue is to find a way for the villagers to live well and have more power to work, to take care of themselves."

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Mr. Afiq Haji-arun
Student, Faculty of Science and Technology, Chemical Engineering Major, Freshman
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus

"In my opinion, the politics and administration...I think that it is appropriate to use a system that covers all aspects of administration.  For example, in electing the leader of each locality, the people should be able to know...if mean, all of the people in the community should know who deserves to be the elected official.  Let the people vote around...like, 10 persons...then, let there be...let there be inputs of opinions from academics or those with knowledge, the educated people, on who should become the people...or as appropriate."

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Mr. Sakda Pithakkumpol
Former Vice President of the Pattani Fishery Association, and former President of the Pattani Province Chamber of Commerce
 
"I propose that there is an election for the governor of all 3 provinces.  Why? Because the governors, in the past, the governors would be appointed.  They did not connect to the people.  They were only interested in their bosses, because their bosses could give them rewards or punish them.  Who are their bosses?  The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry [of the Interior] [and] the Minister."

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Miss Supaporn Panutnachee
Deep South Watch
 
"An appropriate model of administration, in my own opinion, I think that the decentralization of power to allow the local people to participate in governing themselves together under the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, for everyone to have as much involvement as possible.  I think that this is important and appropriate for the locals as it would allow them to preserve their identity."

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Mr. Salman Sirako
Lead Singer, FIKLI (band)
 
"For the administration of Thailand, there are various positive and negative characteristics.  There are some good points, but there are deficiencies as well, particularly the administration in the 3 southern border provinces.  If there is a special model of administration, I think that it would be a good idea as it would be more in the Islamic format, as most people in the 3 provinces are Muslim.  Therefore, those involved, whether they are the representatives, senators, or MPs, if the principles of Islam are brought [into use], in which we already have the model of the Nabi of Sabah.  If we bring the administrative model of the Nabi of Sabah into the 3 provinces and we use the Islamic principles in governance, I think that it would be more in accordance with the needs of the people in the Deep South."

 

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Mrs. Wanporn Hayi-yusoh
Officer, Parole Bureau
 
"On behalf of the people, the locals in Pattani Province as I was born and I grew up here, on the problems that have been going on over the past 5 years, I would like to summarize in short: I would like to see the promotion of education.  The creation of divisiveness and division of idea are because of [the lack of] education.  If the educational basis is weak, then when those things are fed into the mind, those kind of things, people would not be able to tell what is good and what is not good.  So I would like the authority, let's see the Provincial Authority as I work for the Pattani Province...I would like the municipality or government agencies to promote education from the primary level and emphasize on unity.  If these 2 things are done together at the same time, I can assure you that the on-going problem would decrease."

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Mr. Thirayuth Hayiyusoh
Civil Service Officer, Pattani Province

"I would like to see the 3 southern border provinces as a special administrative region, but this does not mean that it would be completely seperated from Thailand, but it should be like the Pattaya City Special Administrative Zone.  It would not specifically cover the 3 provinces, but would be divided into each province, namely the Pattani Special Administrative Zone, Yala Special Administrative Zone, and Narathiwat Special Administrative Zone.  However, there must be special laws to support the establishment of these zones and must look into how the government administrative practice would be most appropriate for the way of life, customs, traditions, and culture of this area.  In my opinion, I agree with some issues that the people have been requesting, but a part of me - in the government's perspective - would say that ...should not hang on to bias, to the long-past issues - ancient history.  Don't be fixed on the problem of violence at present.  It must be open for people to participate and voice their opinions and listen more to the opinions of our brothers and sisters, the people, to make a policy and find a solution together.  Consider the needs of the government, and consider the needs of the people, in order to find a solution that is most appropriate for the area."

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Mr. Yumdee Jeejai
Student, College of Islamic Studies, Islamic Laws Major, Junior Year
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus
 
"I would like to see the 3 southern border provinces to be a special administrative zone.  The laws and regulations on Muslims would not be enforced on Thai Buddhists.  Islamic laws are strict, so if these laws are enforced on Thai Buddhists who are another ethnicity, then the administration would not be with ease.  So, it is very necessary to use Islamic laws in administration.  [As for] the on-going situation, I would like to propose the local people to solve the problem by themselves.  I don't want to see outsiders solving the problem because they do not know the area, the tradition and culture of the local area.  So I want there to be peace in the area where we govern ourselves."

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Mr. Sulaiman Haji-putih
Student (Pattani), Faculty of Islamic Studies, 4th Year, Yala Islamic University
 
"Asalaam aleykum waramatullah.  The form of administration of the 3 provinces that we've heard about a lot is that of the Pattani City.  In my opinion, the administration must consider the reality in the 3 provinces.  The things that are being said here are about how to earn the autonomy to govern ourselves, but discussions on the form of administration are not being seriously made.  In my opinion, if we call for autonomy in the area but those who come to lead us are politicians, then it would be the same scenario all over again. But [what] if we have leaders who are ulamas, who put the religion first?"

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Mr. Arthit Wangphungchai
Student (from Petchburi), Faculty of Islamic Studies, 4th Year, Yala Islamic University
 
"Bizmillah il-rahman il-rahim....Actually, I have a proposal.  As I have listened to various academics, I agree with the idea of establishing the Pattani City.  This is a historic region consisted of various ethnicities, the Melayu, and various religions, so there is a need for justice.  The locals should be to make decisions with consideration for their real needs, the objective of which is to allow them to govern themselves and use the drafted legislation among themselves that would fit the people in the region."

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Mr. Krisada Boonyarach
Governor of Yala Province
 
"In my opinion, the most appropriate form of administration in the Deep South, as the governor under the current system, I want to see the kind of administration that would allow my fellow citizens, my brothers and sisters, to have a better living: a good quality of life like the general population.  For example, the [system should allow the] children of the people to be educated.  Once these children are educated, they should be able to graduate and hold good positions, have good moral characters and do not get involved in bad things.  So in my opinion, the form of administration could be in any form that allow the people here to reach that goal."

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Mr. Mursidee Kalor
Young Muslim Association of Thailand (YMAT)
 
"If you ask me, the kind of governance and administration that I would like to see, the ideal form that I would like to see in our region, I want to see governance and administration in which the state decentralizes its power based on understanding of the tradition, culture, or the sentiment of the locals, as governance and administration - when discussed in term of "globalisasi" or globalization - is now very advanced in many countries."

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Mr. Abdulrohman Morlor
President, Student Organizations Administrative Organization
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus
 
"In term of Pattani City under the Thai Constitution, in my personal opinion, it is still problematic.  If you look at the clarity, you can see that it is still not very clear.  In reference to Mindanao or Aceh, if we really look at the problem in the local area, there's an issue of sensitivity.  In Aceh, there was a shared basis of religion and ethnicity, yet there were problems.  But here, there are differences on the basis of religion and culture.  So, how "special" would this "special administrative zone" be?  Furthermore, how much sincerity is government willing to offer to really solve the problem? Right now, there are problems even on the issue of bi-lingual administrative system, and we're just considering the demand on the usage of languages alone here.  With regard to the "special administrative zone", I'm afraid that it would be like what academics refer to as a "change of location": changing from the old sack to the new sack.  The locals still have the same level of opportunities, but it's just the name that is changed from "Pattani Province" to "Pattani City". 

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Mr. Abdulroning Yusoh
Businessman, Narathiwat Province
 
"For the present administration, I feel like we're the stepchildren.  Before the insurgency, very few Muslims had an opportunity to enter the civil service.  So I agree with the administrative system in the form of Pattani City, which is a form of self-governance, similar to the administration of Phuket, Pattaya or Bangkok.  People there are already governing themselves, so why do they not allow it for us?  Actually, it's not a problem.  We can also copy others, if we look at the form of administration in many countries on Earth that are inhabited by Muslims."

Babo Yi Haji-nima
Darul Ulom School, Yala Province

"Alhamdulillah, the question on which form of administration in the 3 southern border provinces would be best.  In my viewpoint, [it would be] being under the constitution but with strict implementation of the Koran and the sunnah.  Now, the problem with that system is that solving all problems, the Government must not be wary, but let the people have their freedom, let the implementors in the area have their freedom to act.  The practice of the Prophet in Medina should be followed, and the Sura Yusuf in the Koran must be studied.  Such practice was implemented in Egypt 5,000....7,000 years ago.  Nabi Yusuf was a prophet but he was under the rule of a monarch, who at the time was Raya.  The monarch gave the power to Yusuf to do everything by himself, so there was a place in Egypt during that time that Yusuf ruled, and the place was prosperous and with safety to the lives and properties of the people at the time, greatly.  That was the history that was written in the Koran in Surah Yusuf, in which Allah (SWT) had scripted and recorded in Surah Yusuf.  This was the proposal that we made to the Thai government and this had been made in writing.  So, as I have been talking for some time now, please [excuse me]."

Mr. Muhammadrodi Jeh-Dahing
Somboonsart Foundation (Pondok Dalor), Pattani Province
 
"If we would observe the forms of government in many places on Earth where Muslims reside, we can see that Muslims use the Koran and the words in the Koran as the laws of their lives.  No matter whose rule they are on, the Koran and the Hadith cannot be abandoned.  In the Koran and the Hadith, there are rules on the human way of life from birth until death, so the Constitution of a non-Muslim country will only cover the way of life.  Whatever God forbids, they will not do to satisfy their own pleasure, e.g. loan interest, drinking alcohol, etc. all of these things are already forbidden and they will destroy people's lives.  But for their own interest, humans allowed them to be legitimate, even though they are forbidden in the religion.  So, for Muslims, the Qur'an and the Hadith must be used as the laws of life and will not contradict the Thai Constitution, as the Qur'an and the Hadith were created by God to be the rules of life for all mankind on Earth."

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Mr. Adinant Hasanee
Board, Masjid Community Radio, Yala Province
 
From what I have heard and seen, the most appropriate model would be the New Zealander Model.  If there is to be peace, then the first thing that is needed is justice and respect.  In New Zealand, although there are many Westerners and Europeans moving in, but the natives are respected.  When there is respect and justice, the land will be peaceful.  In any country, if people can live with happiness, then there would be no unrest and they would accept being the entity of that country.  So the best model is that is New Zealand, it's just that we will need some time to solve the problem."

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Miss Dawan Wichiansrang
Student, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Regional studies Major, 4th Year
Walailak University
 
"Well, in my opinion, I think that administration in the 3 southern border provinces should allow for the locals to have a greater role, not when a superior is from the outside and give orders for the locals to do.  There should be a role of power, a chance for the locals because they will know what the real problems of the Deep South are.

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Walakkamol Jangkamol
Instructor, Faculty of Communication Sciences
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus.
 
"For administration in the Deep South, if the question is whether the idea is a novelty, I think that the idea is a general concept of decentralization that people in any region also desires.  It is an administration in which power is actually decentralized and transferred to the local area.  I want people, particularly those from all identities, religions, and races, to be involved in the sharing of interest or being involved in politics.  If you ask whether the idea is unusual, it is not.  It is a process of decentralization in modern democracy, right? But the thing with the issue is that as this area is full of conflict at present, when somebody presents this idea, then it becomes a big issue.  Whatever name we use to call this idea, but if this is the idea of administration, then it is something that is desired by all groups."

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Mr. Arong Niteh
Resident, Narathiwat Province

"The most important thing is the distribution of power and distribution of law enforcement in the Deep South.  In term of law enforcement, we should apply the principles that are in accordance with the way of life here: the shariah.  When we talk about the shariah, the laws have to be seriously enforced in the Deep South: for punishment and correction.  If the shariah is truly enforced in the Deep South, it will go deep down to the family level, empowering the Muslim society in the area.  I believe that if shariah laws are seriously enforced, the next step in participation and management of conflict will be achieved as well."

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Mr. Ibrahim Yanya
Independent Academic

"The chronic problem that has existed until today is the problem of relationship with the officials.  Most people here practice Islam and use the Malay language, with a Muslim Malay way of life and are not against the principles of Islam.  The form of administration that is appropriate for this area, in my opinion, is to give autonomy on this matter and open up the space.  I want to government to provide fairness and create justice in its work, whether in policy or on other matters, and make this area a special zone."
 

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Mr. Nimukbar Waba
Member of Parliament, Pattani Province, Puea Paandin Party

"The form of administration, that we all have generally known that...umm...the problem here has accumulated for a long time.  The majority of the people here are Muslims of Malay ethnicity, so governance and administration here must give the rights in governance and administration to the locals, as appropriate.  If we do it that way, then the problem can be solved."

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Mrs. Tehawo Salae
Head of Coordination for Rehabilitation of Orphans in the Deep South

"Democracy that is not on par with international principles, as exists today, has caused the people here to fight for their democratic rights.  But actually, there is a ceiling to the Islamic paradigm.  There is a, what you would call "limit", a "fense" in living together, whether among women or men.  The form of administration that should be appropriate for us in this definition is the one that allows us to live together amidst diversity and respect each other, to govern the people here to live among diversity has never been an issue before.  It was born just a few days ago.  These words should not come out of a great figure, but rather from ordinary persons."

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Mr. Idris Mahla
Student, College of Islamic Studies, Middle East Studies Major, 4th Year
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus

"The form of administration of the Pattani state, in my opinion, I want the Pattani state to be ruled independently, to let the people of Pattani City play a role in drafting laws and make it a special zone so that people in the Deep South can govern themselves and be able to....let out community live in comfort and peace."

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Mr. Abdul-rahman Haji-salaemae
Student, Faculty of Education, Counseling Psychology Major, 4th Year
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus

"It should have been done a long time ago, instead of waiting for the troubles to take place.  I wish to see changes in all agencies.  I want there to be an Islamic state, not a country, but a state with the rules of shariah.  Whoever the ruler may be, the rules and laws used should be the shariah that cover all contexts of life here.  I want to see a change in governance with this shariah because I firmly believe that it will be paradise.  I want to see the South as the land of peace at long last.

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Miss Arida Samoh
Student, Faculty of Education, General Sciences Major
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus

"As for the opinion on which type of administration would be best implemented in the Deep South.  As the majority of people here practice Islam, and I also practice Islam, I want to see the form of administration with the principles of Islam.  If the question is whether it would be selfish, I think not, because the form of administration with shariah has an element of science and universality to it.  We don't have to name it as an administration under Islam, but we should look at the content and the context of administration.  I want people to open up their minds and see that it would be best to use these laws here."

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Miss Paweena Sriprasomthongnga
Student, Faculty of Management Science, Public Administration Major
Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus

"It seems like the Thai Muslims rose up to fight against something, but the Thai Buddhists should not be forgotten.  They're there too, you know.  The system of today is already good in term of democracy with the monarchy as the head of state.  The thing about culture, or religious diversity, or ethnicities is not only found in Thailand, but in all countries all over the world, where people come to live together.  It's more about understanding.  It's like living in a family where there are compromises.  In Thai history, people have lived together for a long time.  Buddhists and Muslims have lived together for a long time.  Thailand can only be a unitary state with the monarchy as the head of state."

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Miss Waesameeroh Mae
Student, Faculty of Education, Thai Major
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus

"In my personal opinion, as a local who lives in Pattani and a student in the area.  I believe that if there is autonomy with the government as the background, it would be nice, as administration in the form of autonomy would allow for people in the area to govern themselves.  They can be governed in the form of a father ruling over his children, with a greater degree of closeness.  The things that are happening right now are due to the distance of the father.  The capital is like the father, right? The people living in the periphera are like the children.  This distance has caused people to feel like they have been abandoned.  There is a need for sincerity.  Because even if we govern ourselves, however a good job we do, but if no one sees the importance of this point, I think that it would still fail before it is done."

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Mr. Suthipong Chantharawiroj
Secretary of the Muslim Attorney Center

 "In my opinion, in politics and administration in the Deep South, I agree with the notion that this is an area with special identity, the language, the beliefs and cultures are of a special character.  Administration requires autonomy, but there must be reflection of sentiments and opinions of the people and use of natural resources for people here.  There must be a change in the judicial system as well.  Many people propose the decentralization system of 7 elected governors.  I think that election of governors is a good idea, but the format is what worries me.  If elections are held by the old format, with vote buying, with election canvassers, with influences, we would get the same group of ruling elites, with the old balance of power, and the grassroot people will not gain as much benefits as they are suppose to with this decentralization.  Thus the election of the governors will be a very important issue.  The last thing is with the principles of Islam.  We have to look back and see how the sunnah .... chose a leader.  He used these principles and a leader who was understanding of the people, fair, economical, and did not seek interest for themselve or their cronies."

 

 

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