And that, of course, is what you have always wanted. But how long will it before you start to demand it in the rest of Thailand as well? “Thaworn sees sharia law as way forward,” from the Bangkok Post, December 25 (thanks to Weavo):
The introduction of sharia law to the southernmost provinces has taken another step forward, with Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam saying it could help quell the insurgent violence.
He is also pledging to speed up work on a bill introducing a sharia court, which he hopes will help improve the security climate in the troubled region.
The move is part of the government’s strategy of “widening the sphere” for Muslim people in the lower South.
A proposed sharia court will look into civil disputes, mostly related to family relationships and inheritance, when both plaintiffs and defendants are Muslims, and base its ruling on Islamic law, or sharia law, he said.
Mr Thaworn said the Justice Ministry has been reviewing a bill on the establishment of a sharia court and he hoped to speed up the process.
The ministry said it would change several regulations to match the way of life in the Muslim-dominated provinces.
The government is looking into making Fridays and Saturdays days off for Muslims so they can attend religious events.
Schools in the lower South under the Education Ministry will also be encouraged to teach Yawi, the local Malay language, Mr Thaworn said.
The strategy is intended to uphold the rights and liberties of Muslims in the area, as well as encourage residents to be more tolerant towards differences and cultural and religious diversity….
Meanwhile, two gunmen have raided a house in Narathiwat’s Rangae district and shot and seriously wounded all three members of a family, police said.
Paosee Suamae, 37, his wife, Nureehan, 27, and their five-year-old daughter, Neezme, were having dinner when the assailants broke into their house on Thursday and shot them, police said.