สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

«“√ “√ √“™∫— ≥±‘ µ¬ ∂“π ªï ∑’Ë Û ©∫— ∫∑’Ë 4 µ.§.-∏.§. ÚıÙ¯ 1115 ¡∫Ÿ √≥å ÿ ¢ ”√“≠ ·≈–§≥– Abstract THE SOUTHERN FIRE : WHO LIT IT ? WHO STOKES IT ? Somboon Suksamran Fellow of the Academy of Moral and Political Science, The Royal Institute, Thailand Somchai Bovornkitti Fellow of the Academy of Science, The Royal Institute, Thailand Chamriang Chantaraprabha Division of Moral and Political Science, The Royal Institute, Thailand A commercial book, entitled “The Southern Fire : Who Lit It ?” which was written by Koylin Anwar and Suphalakse Karnchanakhundee, came on the market in May 2004 not long after the shocking surprise attack on an army barracks in Yala Province in southern Thailand. This interesting book contains descriptions of historical events of past conflicts between the authorities and some Muslim people in the southern provinces of Thailand, formerly called Pattani State or Pattani Darusslam. Attentive readers of the book would sense that the writing is provocative. On the other hand, the reviewers, after having read the book with particular care, followed the book’s argument that the initial conflict could be traced back to the Ayutthaya Period during the reign of Somdej Phra Maha Chakrapat. At that time, the book points out His Highness Sultan Mutorphar Char of Pattani State sailed 200 warships to Ayutthaya in support of the fight against the Burmese; however, his forces made an unsuccessful attempt to attack a weakened Ayutthaya instead. Following this untoward event, unrest occurred periodically in the South provoked mostly by Muslims, according to the book, owing to reasons of racial, cultural and language incompatibilities in tandem with the accusation that the authorities had cruelly treated the local residents. However, the reviewers are somewhat skeptical about the conclusions of this book despite its painstaking detail. It may not present the whole truth; instead it may have the cryptic intention of provoking hard feelings among Muslims by presenting unconfirmed, one-sided stories. Key words : southern unrest, southern fire