No one wants to live under colonial rule.

Byline: The Nation.

Malay Muslims in the South are content to be part of the Thai state, but with their own identity

The Foreign Ministry should be commended for making the problems in the deep South one of its top priorities. Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya led a high-level delegation of Thai ambassadors, and envoys from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, to Pattani, the heart of the Malay-speaking South, where he held meetings with a wide range of people. Participants included students who receive grants and scholarships from the government, Islamic religious leaders, governors of the southernmost provinces and military top brass. Kasit gave each group time to make its case, as well as letting them know the ministry's concerns. Kasit reminded the officials assigned to the restive region that the entire world is watching, and stressed …