Troops with bachelor's degrees to be recruited; timeframe, subjects unclear
The Fourth Army Region, which oversees security matters in the South, is preparing to dispatch its soldiers to replace schoolteachers in the three predominantly-Muslim provinces as growing tension in the region has frightened educators.
Agencies under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Army Region on Tuesday received a letter asking them to recruit uniformed soldiers with at least a bachelor's degree to teach children in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces, an army officer said.
It is unclear when the soldiers might be dispatched to the region and what subjects the military intends to teach in schools.
Most of the youngsters in the three provinces currently have a dual education: general subjects in accordance with the government's curriculum and instruction on the Muslim religion in religious schools, known as "pondoks". Some pondoks incorporate the non-religious curriculum.
More than 1,000 schools in the three provinces have ceased operation since the middle of this week after many teachers and students refused to occupy classrooms for fear of their safety. They will resume classes on Monday if there is no further tension, according to an official.
A spate of violence has gripped the deep South since January 4 when a military camp in Narathiwat was raided, four soldiers were killed, some 300 military weapons were stolen, and 20 schools were torched.
A dozen suspects were detained in connection with the incident but officials refused to give more details about their identity and charges.
Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura said the situation is improving but the authorities could not set a time frame to fix the problems. "It will take time but I don't know how long. It doesn't matter - we spent about 20 years fighting against communists. Now we are in a similar situation," he said.
"They are waging undeclared war with us in towns, creating chaos and trouble in the provinces, so we must control the areas to block their freedom of movement," he said without elaborating on whom the government is at war with.
The government blamed Islamic militants for creating violence in the South that has been aimed at security officers and "soft targets", such as Buddhist monks and students.
Deputy Prime Minister Vishanu Krua-ngam, who oversees government public relations, said he has ordered radio networks, notably in the South, not to mention any sensitive religious matters during their broadcasts.