Just like in North Ireland most people from the both major religions, in this case Buddhism and Islam just want to live in harmony but a small number of radical elements on both sides are destroying the peace. Also like Northern Ireland in the bad old days the Police and Military are overwhelmingly from one religious group (Buddhist) whilst the local population are overwhelming from the opposing religious group (Muslim) which of course adds fuel to the fire.
I traveled throughout these areas 20 years ago and it was as safe, beautiful and serene as any other part of Thailand, now you would take your life in your hands to do what I did back then. I have a Thai friend who is senior police officer stationed in one of these provinces and when he goes out of the police compound he, just like the monks in this story, requires an army escort even though he is always armed, but then the Northern Ireland police used to patrol with the British army escorting them as well.
Most US politicians think the US is at the bleeding edge in the War on Terror, they need to spend a day in Southern Thailand to be shown the real battlefield.......
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