Violence tests peace hopes

The escalating violence in the restive South in recent weeks is abominable.

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The random killings of almost a dozen people, mostly civilians, have seen the office of Chularajmontri — the highest-ranking Thai Muslim cleric, who generally stays neutral — joining condemnation of such acts.

Many link the upsurge in violence to the killing of a former uztas (Islamic teacher) in Narathiwat's Sugnai Kolok district on April 18, the day after the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government revealed a plan to lift martial law in parts of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

The plan followed talks between Prime Minister Paetongtarn and her Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim. Previously, the Malaysian leader discussed this issue with ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of Pheu Thai.

Kuala Lumpur has played a facilitating role in peace negotiations from the beginning.