Travel Forum / Destinations / Asia / April 2004

Yes, I heard that too. What surprises me is that the Thai police would
create such a blood bath - most of the killed ones were between 15 to 20
years old. It certainly won't promote tourism in the area. The German
foreign office just issued a travel warning for trips to southern
Thailand. Thailand, "the land of smiles" ?

About some of the extrajudicial killings last year, apparently by
order from Washington, can be read at:

http://www.article2.org/mainfile.php/0203/85/

You are right. Coming from that part of the world, I can safely say
the safest is Singapore, followed by Malaysia. Others like Thailand,
Philippine, Indonesia has always have difficulty from time to
time....Thailand, most often from the Southern area of Songkhla,
Pattani and Yala. Actually, the people in this area struggle for their
autonomy - it is a Muslim dominated area. But have been very very
quiet for quite a while since Thailand has become more democratic and
not under military rules or general rules. I think what happened was a
new kind of phenomenon...Suddenly there are insurgent of muslims
everywhere. This is truely a new phenomenon. Normally we only hear at
one area or two, probably one in the middle east...then maybe one if
africa.......years later maybe one or two again, maybe one in checnya
and one in some other places......This time around we hear everywhere.
Hopefully it never really turn a full scale war everywhere.

In Philippine you have the Moro group at the Southern Island. Also
know as MNLF. This group also fight for their autonomy probably
independent from Manila. Now we hear about the Abu Sayyaf group.

Then in Indonesia, there are several....the first was Timur Timur. I
think they already get their independent. Also in Indonedia is the
Aceh area....They also fighting for their own autonomy.

In Malaysia, every now and then if the politics is not good between
east and west Malaysia, you will hear some politicians from Sabah or
Sarawak want their own independent....But nothing really violance.
Just political thing because the military and police are under the
control of the federal government. But if you ask the locals
especially in Sabah, you will hear a mixed bags. Some say the like the
idea of independent Sabah, some will say otherwise. Those who want the
independent claimed that the West (Kuala Lumpur) steal their wealth -
from timber industry and now the oil industry and the federal
government has not invested enough for Sabah. They also claimed, the
federal government haven't provide enough security for their state
especially from immigrants and pirates in the area of Sandakan and
some tourists area like Sipadan...I think if you have travel over
there you know about it. But in general, I would say its safe. Just
ask the local if there is a new threat or security problem happen
lately. Now I think only Sipadan is on alert because of kidnapping
taking place a few years ago.

In Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam...This is more unstable area
from the above. But have been relatively safe for quite a while now.
Still a long way to go. Interesting area but always be on alert if
travel over there. Always ask the locals which area is not save to
visit at the time.

Anyway, if I am a tourist, I won't hesitate to go over there. Just be
alert like you travel everywhere, and get the latest news if some new
thing happen and where.

moslem ?
again ?

you must be kidding,  muslims are peacefull people
Maybe it was by coincidence ?