`Bangkok must start making changes'.

(From New Straits Times (Malaysia))

Byline: SHERIDAN MAHAVERA ..HL: `Bangkok must start making changes' ..ZO: C-Central ..LE: 1120 ..PG: 04 ..PU: NSUNT ..TX: FORMER Thai Foreign Minister Dr Surin Pitsuwan talks frankly to SHERIDAN MAHAVERA about the need for 'decentralisation' and 'distribution of

FORMER Thai Foreign Minister Dr Surin Pitsuwan talks frankly to SHERIDAN MAHAVERA about the need for 'decentralisation' and 'distribution of power' and to allow the people of southern Thailand to be involved in the policy-making process and implementation of programmes in their region.

Q: What is your take on the violence that is plaguing the south? A: The rise of ethnic identity, some may call it ethnic chauvinism, is a phenomenon worldwide. In southern Thailand, we see this very clearly. Our Muslim brothers and sisters have been very much frustrated by the quick pace of change taking place around them, a high degree of abuse of power on the part of state authorities, violations of human …