Speakers

Wattana Sugunnasil is currently an assistant professor at the Social Science Department, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus. His research interests cover rural studies, environmental issues, culture of consumption, and cultural politics. He obtained his Ph.D. in Sociology from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991. He is the editor of a recently published book titled Dynamic Diversity in Southern Thailand published in 2005.

Rohan Gunaratna is Head of International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) at Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.  He obtained his Ph.D in International Relations from University of St Andrews. His research interests include terrorist organisations, terrorist operational and support networks, maritime terrorist tactics, technologies and techniques; suicide terrorism, and terrorism in the Asia-Pacific.  Gunaratna is the author of the international bestseller Inside Al Qaeda: Global network of Terror published in 2002.  His latest book is Conflict and Terrorism in Southern Thailand published in 2005.

Abstract

The first speaker Dr Wattana presents a perspective from South Thailand drawn from his involvement with a 2004 survey on the attitudes of Muslims in South Thailand towards the conflict they are experiencing. The survey of 600 people provides a more authoritative basis for analysis of a situation that have drawn conflicting interpretations from various sources. Dr Wattana’s main argument is that the separatist struggle in the Southernmost border provinces of Thailand, which was initially based on a Malay national liberation struggle, has taken on undertones of a radical Islamist ideology and jihad. The seminar will highlight the failure of secularist development projects in dealing with many predicaments of the Malay/Muslim communities of South Thailand, and a significant shift in the ideology and practice of separatist politics, thus giving rise to the emergence of new Islamic militant movements.

The second speaker Dr Gunaratna will look into the implications of international and regional developments for the domestic insurgency and finally examine options for a viable conflict solution.

You are cordially invited to the Seminar.

By Fax: 6775-6264 / 6775-6259

The Seminar Co-ordinator
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
30 Heng Mui Keng Terrace
Singapore 119614

I will be able to attend the Seminar on The Crisis in South Thailand:  Causes, Approaches and Consequences by Dr Wattana Sugunnasil and Dr Rohan Gunaratna on Friday, 9 September 2005 at 10.00 am at the Seminar Room II, ISEAS.

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Please complete the Reply Form and return by fax to the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies or email: karthi@iseas.edu.sg  by Thursday, 8 September 2005.

Notes:       1.     All registrations are on a first-come-first served basis, and will be taken as confirmed unless otherwise notified.

2.         Parking is available at the Heng Mui Keng Complex Carpark, located next to ISEAS Building.  At the carpark, please take the lift to LEVEL 6 (Lobby) and exit through the main entrance to ISEAS Building.  

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