Southern Thailand’s separatist violence shows no signs of ending
Insurgency to create a Muslim state goes back decades but has ramped up since 2004
Thailand’s Grand Mosque is located in Pattani in the south of the country, where thousands have been killed in a separatist insurgency that erupted in 2004. Photograph: Bazuki Muhammad/Reuters
Buddhist monks collecting alms on their morning rounds are protected by armed Thai soldiers in Pattani. Monks, teachers and other seen as symbols of the Thai state have been the targets of insurgents since 2004. Photograph: Jason South/Fairfax Media/Getty Images
The aftermath of a deadly car bomb blast outside of a hotel in Pattani last August 24th. Photograph: Tuwaedaniya Meringing/AFP/Getty Images