Thailand Bans Sensitive Words in Bid to Calm Muslims
JAKARTA, Oct 11 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Thailand took unprecedented measures Thursday in a bid to calm heated spirits of its Muslim minority in the wake of protests against the U.S.-led offensive against Afghanistan.
The government said comments that could hurt Thai Muslims' feelings and create religious conflict will be banned from army-run television and radio broadcasts on the army chief's order.
Army spokesman Col. Somkhuan Saengpataranate said Gen. Surayud Chulanont, the commander, had told the army's censorship panel to avoid comments that could incite conflict, especially with Muslims in the south.
Words such as "Islamic terrorist" or "Muslim separatist movement" would be taken out of TV and radio programs, he said.
Meanwhile, Surayud said the army was willing to bring together donations made by Muslims in the south for Afghan refugees, but the government would have to arrange shipment.
He believed humanitarian aid donated to the Afghan people would not affect the way Thailand was seen in the conflict, since the aid was not for terrorists, he said.
The Central Islamic Committee of Thailand offered humanitarian aid to Muslims affected by the war between the United States and Taliban.
Defense spokesman Lt.-Gen. Suraphan Phumkaew said comments by politicians on the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan should be "harmonized". Only the prime minister and defense minister could comment.
Thailand's Muslims, in the majority, are opposed to U.S. military strikes against Afghanistan.
Thai authorities fear there might be violent protest in the country if casualties among Afghan Muslims ran high.
Thailand's government has decided to take extra measures to cool down Muslim frustrations after a substantial demonstration in the south indicated Muslims were supporting the Afghans.
Muslims in the majority Buddhist nation are known for their strong support for Muslim causes and have been waging a campaign for independence of their own in southern Thailand.
Muslims in Thailand said they believe there should be a jihad (struggle) against the those aggressing against the Taliban regime.
Independence movements, including the Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO), were severely crippled by the Thailand government, which used military, police and special forces to crush the movement.
PULO says the Malaysian government in the late 1990s also aided it when several PULO members were arrested and deported to Thailand. They are still in jail, their rights not respected and their fate unknown.
