And the soldiers who protect them, in a simultaneous strike against the law enforcement of a non-Islamic government, financial support for the monks, and a what is seen as a competing faith being visibly practiced in what the jihadists consider their territory.
The fact that Buddhist monks have to be protected by soldiers speaks volumes about the situation in southern Thailand. After all, nothing says “tolerance” like beating up on monks. Or are we to trust the “tolerance” will come after the jihadists get everything they want? “Suspected insurgents kill 2 in Thailand’s south,” from the Associated Press, August 23 (thanks to Twostellas):
PATTANI (AP) – Police say suspected Islamist insurgents have killed two soldiers and wounded 14 other people in two separate attacks in Thailand’s violence-plagued south.
Police Col Somporn Meesuk says a roadside bomb in Pattani province killed one military officer and injured eight other officers, two Buddhist monks and three civilians.
Col Somporn says the bomb exploded as the officers were accompanying the monks on almsgiving rounds at dawn on Tuesday.
Police Col Kritsada Kaewjandee says another soldier died and one was injured in Yala province on Tuesday when a roadside bomb detonated as they walked past.