Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CHIANGMAI20
2007-01-30 08:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Chiang Mai
how-toVZCZCXRO2144 PP RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHCHI #0020 0300828 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 300828Z JAN 07 FM AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0382 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 0646 RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 0423
UNCLAS CHIANG MAI 000020
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV TH
SUBJECT: ANTI-CNS LEAFLETS STIR IN MUSLIM ISSUES
REF: (06) CHIANG MAI 161 (IRAQ IS ABOUT OIL, THAI ISLAMIC OFFICIAL TELLS NORTHERN MUSLIM LEADERS)
UNCLAS CHIANG MAI 000020
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV TH
SUBJECT: ANTI-CNS LEAFLETS STIR IN MUSLIM ISSUES
REF: (06) CHIANG MAI 161 (IRAQ IS ABOUT OIL, THAI ISLAMIC OFFICIAL TELLS NORTHERN MUSLIM LEADERS)
1. Summary. Leaflets that appear to have originated in Chiang
Rai and distributed in the northern region attack the Council
for National Security (CNS) for serving Muslim interests.
Despite this provocative message, the leaflets have caused
little concern among Consulate contacts, including the Muslim
community. End Summary.
2. A former Thai Rak Thai (TRT) MP in Chiang Rai reported that
a series of anti-CNS leaflets were sent to local police stations
in the province around Jan. 11 claiming that the Sept. 19 coup
was meant to serve Muslim interests. The leaflets, issued by
"Buddhists" and "Buddhist Monks", noted that CNS chairman Gen.
Sonthi Boonyaratkalin and Interior Minister Aree Wongarya are
Muslims and alleged that the upcoming Constitution would be
based on an Islamic model. The leaflets also attacked Prime
Minister Surayud Chulanont's apology to southern Muslims for
past government mishandling in that region.
3. According to the "Manager On-Line" news service, the
leaflets were first distributed Jan. 4 at a gathering in honor
of revered Thai monk Khruba Boonchum at a temple in Chiang Saen
district, Chiang Rai. The leaflets were later reported in
Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok and Chiang Rai.
4. Local contacts, including journalists, politicians, and
Muslims, told the Consulate that the seemingly divisive message
was unlikely to disrupt the generally calm relationship between
Buddhist and Muslim communities in the north. One of the
journalists stated that a Buddhist backlash seemed unlikely, but
wondered whether the message might get drawn into the rivalry
between two Buddhist sects, one seen as royalist and the other
linked to Thaksin.
5. Muslim leaders in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son said they had
heard of but not seen copies of the leaflet; neither expressed
much concern over a possible impact on the mainstream Thai
Muslim community. However, Mae Sariang Imam Suriya Aramwong
speculated that the message could become an element in the
current power struggle within the national Muslim hierarchy
against the incumbent Chularajamontri, Thailand's highest
ranking Islamic official (reftel).
6. Comment: Unlike earlier anti-CNS leaflets reported in
northern Thailand, this new version is not overtly pro-Thaksin.
While the leaflets seem to have drawn little attention from
authorities or the media, the use of religious divisions to
attack the interim government could provide opportunities for
fringe groups to further stir the political brew and exacerbate
distrust among Buddhists and Muslims.
CAMP
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV TH
SUBJECT: ANTI-CNS LEAFLETS STIR IN MUSLIM ISSUES
REF: (06) CHIANG MAI 161 (IRAQ IS ABOUT OIL, THAI ISLAMIC OFFICIAL TELLS NORTHERN MUSLIM LEADERS)
1. Summary. Leaflets that appear to have originated in Chiang
Rai and distributed in the northern region attack the Council
for National Security (CNS) for serving Muslim interests.
Despite this provocative message, the leaflets have caused
little concern among Consulate contacts, including the Muslim
community. End Summary.
2. A former Thai Rak Thai (TRT) MP in Chiang Rai reported that
a series of anti-CNS leaflets were sent to local police stations
in the province around Jan. 11 claiming that the Sept. 19 coup
was meant to serve Muslim interests. The leaflets, issued by
"Buddhists" and "Buddhist Monks", noted that CNS chairman Gen.
Sonthi Boonyaratkalin and Interior Minister Aree Wongarya are
Muslims and alleged that the upcoming Constitution would be
based on an Islamic model. The leaflets also attacked Prime
Minister Surayud Chulanont's apology to southern Muslims for
past government mishandling in that region.
3. According to the "Manager On-Line" news service, the
leaflets were first distributed Jan. 4 at a gathering in honor
of revered Thai monk Khruba Boonchum at a temple in Chiang Saen
district, Chiang Rai. The leaflets were later reported in
Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok and Chiang Rai.
4. Local contacts, including journalists, politicians, and
Muslims, told the Consulate that the seemingly divisive message
was unlikely to disrupt the generally calm relationship between
Buddhist and Muslim communities in the north. One of the
journalists stated that a Buddhist backlash seemed unlikely, but
wondered whether the message might get drawn into the rivalry
between two Buddhist sects, one seen as royalist and the other
linked to Thaksin.
5. Muslim leaders in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son said they had
heard of but not seen copies of the leaflet; neither expressed
much concern over a possible impact on the mainstream Thai
Muslim community. However, Mae Sariang Imam Suriya Aramwong
speculated that the message could become an element in the
current power struggle within the national Muslim hierarchy
against the incumbent Chularajamontri, Thailand's highest
ranking Islamic official (reftel).
6. Comment: Unlike earlier anti-CNS leaflets reported in
northern Thailand, this new version is not overtly pro-Thaksin.
While the leaflets seem to have drawn little attention from
authorities or the media, the use of religious divisions to
attack the interim government could provide opportunities for
fringe groups to further stir the political brew and exacerbate
distrust among Buddhists and Muslims.
CAMP