Southern Thailand's Muslim population has for decades contended unfair treatment by the Buddhist-majority state. No matter whether grievances are real or perceived, though, bomb attacks on soldiers and civilians in recent days by militants cannot be tolerated.
Tracking down the perpetrators and bringing them to justice has to be a priority for the authorities. But the 40,000 soldiers and police based in the region must carry out the task with far greater sensitivity than has often been the case since the rebellion began four years ago.
Doing so is not straightforward. The methods used in the past, including mass round-ups of suspects, torture and extrajudicial killings, have led many Muslims to fear and loathe state-appointed officials. Circumstances are complicated by the delay in forming a new government, caused by legal challenges filed against the winners of last month's parliamentary elections. Efforts have been stymied and it is likely months will pass before there is a new policy towards southern provinces.
Whatever the outcome of the first of those claims, to be revealed by the Supreme Court on Friday, the flawed approaches of successive military governments and that of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra need to be rethought. Immediately, this involves the military and security forces taking on a balancing act between being tough on militants and fair towards the general population - not a simple matter when those behind the attacks are shadowy, have no clear leaders and have not stated their aspirations.
The incoming government does not have to walk such a fine line: in the long-term, stability and peace can be assured with a policy grounded in ensuring fundamental changes in the character and quality of governance. This involves dealing with security and development inequities with other parts of Thailand through government officials, community leaders, civil society and the military working together. Force alone is no solution. Authorities must be tough on those behind violence and outrages. But an objective approach involving treating all Thais as equals, no matter their religion, ethnicity or economic standing, has to be adopted.
