Thailand set to make Buddhism the state religion

Source: The Straits Times

Link to article:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/24/africa/thai.php

By Seth Mydans

International Herald Tribute

Summary:
The article is about the Thai military backed government caving in to pressure from monks in the country and their decision supporting the enshrinement of Buddhism as a state religion, the various reasons for doing so and the implications behind such a decision.

Comments:
On the 25th of April, traffic in Thailand was brought to a standstill when Buddhist monks marched to the Parliament demanding that the government enshrine Buddhism as a state religion.

The monks were unhappy that their religion was coming “under fire” from insurgents in the Thai south, with many devote Buddhists being subjected to shootings and beheadings by Muslim extremists.

They felt that enshrining Buddhism would send a strong signal to the Muslim insurgents that the Buddhists had won the battle in the south and that the government had all along considered Islam as an “alien religion”.

As over 90% of the populace are Buddhists, it would only make perfect sense to enshrine Buddhism as a national religion. Although this would instil a greater sense of nationalism amongst the population, I disagree with this trend of thought.

Though enshrining Buddhism as a national religion might result in the heightening of the conflict in the Thai south, I later realised that it had greater repercussions on Thailand and the South East Asian region.

One might remember that not too long ago, provinces in the Thai south had proposed to the Thai government for autonomy or a break away. Governmental response was swift, and more soldiers were sent into the south.

Then, the message sent to the people in the south was hazy, with the government, in a bid to reconcile them, seeking council with various community leaders.

And now, as government officials agree with a proposed plan to enshrine Buddhism as a national religion, one can see the writing on the wall.

If I were a Muslim living in the south of Thailand, that would be a signal that indeed, the only choice left is that of supporting the insurgency in their quest for independence.

Independence for the provinces in the Thai South though might result in the further straining of ties between Thailand and her neighbours, namely Malaysia and Singapore. These countries would be put in a very difficult position if such a situation arises.

Although Islam is the official religion in Malaysia and one might think that Malaysia would be inclined to take the side of the militancy, I think otherwise.

If I were the foreign minister of Malaysia or Singapore, I would not wish to offend the citizens in my country nor my close economic partner and thus would prefer to sit on the fence. Meddling in other people’s business might only lead to the destruction of the social fabric of my country.

However, as I am only a third party observer whom has had no real contact with the people involved in the conflict, I feel that I am in no position to comment, since I would not have an accurate perspective on the actual feelings of the people on the ground.

The conflict in the south also has a long history which I am not very familiar with and thus will not be able to fully understand the actions of the various parties involved.

(498 words) – Excluding the summary