PM Thaksin Shinawatra formally began second term 9 March, while violence in south worsened. At least 15 killed in various attacks on school teachers, Buddhist leaders and local female administrator as well as coordinated attack on train station in Sungai Padi, Narathiwat. During special parliamentary session Thaksin admitted heavy-handed approach to south failed; ordered reduction of troops and change in tactics. Leader of united front of Muslim separatist groups ‘Bersatu’ seeking permission to attend meeting of Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) as observer. Thai Government asked OIC to deny exiled leaders any political platform. Three generals involved with 26 October deaths of 78 Muslim demonstrators removed from positions – will face no further disciplinary action.

PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai Party scored overwhelming victory in 6 February polls, but failed to win single seat in 3 southernmost provinces. Violence flared in south immediately after election with 6 bombings in 3 days, including apparent assassination attempt on Narathiwat’s governor 10 February. Car bomb in Narathiwat border town 17 February killed 6 in deadliest attack since insurgency flared January 2004. Widespread opposition to Thaksin zoning plan to withhold development funds from villages deemed sympathetic to Muslim separatists prompted government rethink.

Violence continued with almost daily incidents in 3 southern provinces. Attacks killed over dozen in January. Defence ministry announced plans to base 15th Infantry Division as permanent military unit in southern provinces. Rivalry between police and military over handling of southern crisis resulted in replacement of assistant police chief Lt-General Wongkot Maneerin. Despite failure to end violence, PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s forceful handling of tsunami disaster boosted his already popular Thai Rak Thai party’s prospects for 6 February polls.

In major humanitarian catastrophe, at least 5,000 killed by 26 December tsunami along western coast, but unlikely to have effect on unrest in south. Violence continued in south despite peace stunt by government which saw air-drop of millions of paper doves. Independent human rights commission into 25 October Tak Bai deaths absolved security forces of wrongdoing but accused army commanders of negligence. Four Muslim private Islamic school teachers arrested on charges of treason, inflaming tensions. Almost daily shooting, arson and bombings; security forces fear escalation of violence as insurgency anniversary (4 January) approaches: 2,000 additional police deployed from 1 January. General election scheduled for 6 February.

Insurgency continued in south. Academics from 18 universities called upon PM Thaksin Shinawatra to make personal apology for 25 October Tak Bai deaths, in which 79 protesters suffocated to death in custody of security forces. At least 35 killed in incidents throughout south, including 2 in hitherto relatively peaceful Songkhla province 16 November. Violence in south discussed at ASEAN summit despite Thaksin threat to walk out if internal affairs raised.

Situation in south extremely volatile after 79 protesters died in custody of security forces 26 October,following violent riots in TakBai,Narathiwat province,which killed 7. Protesters crammed into army trucks suffocated on way to barracks. Insensitive reaction of PM Thaksin sparked international condemnation. Exploitation of situation by jihadist groups risks further bloodshed - 5 killed in separate bomb attacks and shooting incidents in southern provinces after 26October. Army commander, Lieutenant-General Pisarn Wattanawongkhiri, declared indefinite curfew in southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat;authorities deployed additional 1,000 security personnel. Almost daily killings of security personnel, teachers, village officials and businessmen continued unabated.

Troop deployment in restive south to be increased as killings continued, despite disagreement within government over strategy. Raids on Muslim schools continued, exacerbating tensions. PM Thaksin Shinawatra ordered special security protection for judges after Pattani Province judge shot dead 17 September. Imam in Yaring district shot by sniper 18 September. Teachers, civil servants and police also attacked.

Sporadic violence continued in restive south. In accordance with Bangkok’s new hardline security policy, General Pallop Pinmanee, previously accused of using excessive force in April violence, re-assigned to south. National Human Rights Commission of Thailand reported rights abuses worsened in Thailand over past 3 years in increasing “culture of authoritarianism” under PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Security deteriorated in restive south with almost daily killings of policemen, officials and village administrators. PM Thaksin Shinawatra warned of increased violence. Deputy PM Thamarak Isarangura, previously replaced as defence minister in March due to heavy-handed approach, appointed to supervise military operations. Defence Minister Chettha Thanajaro announced 20 July he had sent officials to Malaysia to open talks with separatist leaders.

Violence continued in restive south. In policy about- face PM Thaksin Shinawatra announced government to form panels of villagers and officials to work on security and development and cancelled talks with Bersatu, Muslim separatist umbrella group. 3,000 teachers demonstrated for improved security after teacher in Pattani province shot dead in front of students 7 June. At least 5 policemen, 1 soldier and village leader killed in separate incidents.