A note on historical fact

I would like to make factual corrections and add to this editorial. Only one cannon was actually brought from Pattani to the Ministry of Defence in Bangkok, the one called Phya Tani. The other cannon, Phya Srinakhari, was to be transported to Bangkok by the Prince of the Front Palace, but sank en route before it got very far. Both were cast in Pattani in the 19th century by a local Chinese merchant.

I have noticed that The Nation editorial tends to take sides with the Muslim militants in the deep South even though they kill or maim non-combatants including Muslims, teachers and Buddhist monks.

I have no feeling either way for The Nation editor being a Muslim, although I wish he were more rounded in his outlook. When General Sonthi Boonyaratglin took over the government in a coup, which was wrong, I was secretly elated that, as a Muslim, he would resolve the problem in the South. As a descendant of a Muslim leader myself, I ended up disappointed. Personally I would like to see autonomy reinstated in the troubled South and the return of Phya Tani to Pattani at some appropriate time, but only out of historical correctness and not as an appeasement to barbarism. Moreover, I would take into account the bigger picture regarding the ethnic Thais and Buddhists who populate the South and the northern Malay states.

The editorial use of the term “colonisation” of Pattani by Siam is definitely misleading. I refer the readers to my opinion article, “The trouble in the South: A question of history”, May 1, 2009, describing how Bangkok took direct control of the tributary states in order to consolidate the country in the face of the colonial encroachment. Chiang Mai, Pattani, Phrae, Nan, etc, were such states, which escaped Western colonisation while others had to be ceded to the colonial powers.

It might be interesting to note that, at about the same time, although in a different context, Germany became a modern nation only after having consolidated or taken over hundreds of independent or semi-independent principalities and city-states. 

There is always the prospect of devolution. And if Scotland becomes independent, then why not Chiang Mai? It would be fun to apply for a Chiang Mai visa!

Sumet Jumsai

Bangkok