Official: Attacks in Thai provinces linked

In the Songkhla and Yala provinces, located in Thailand, there have been two recent car bombings. The bombings killed about thirteen people and injured hundreds more. The government has increased security in these areas, and the southern province Muslims are most likely the ones in charge of the car bombings. Majority of the people in the southern provinces are Muslim. This causes a problem because majority of the country is Buddhist so the people in the southern province feel that the government doesn’t represent them. I found this interesting because I wonder if the violence will get worse before we get there.

Sarah Bilton
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/01/world/asia/thailand-attacks/index.html?hpt=wo_bn4

Thailand Insurgents: A Brief History

This article continues with the theme of the last article I posted—namely, the recent terrorist attacks in southern Thailand. However, this article provided some interesting details the other did not. The insurgent group is thought to be composed of over 3000 Muslim militants, but they are not connected to a global jihad movement. Rather, this group is rebelling against perceived inequality and unfair treatment by the central government of Thailand. This portion of southern Thailand used to a Muslim state until it was annexed in 1902 by the largely Buddhist Thailand. Since the recent attacks last week, emergency rule has been declared in the region which effectively gives the military legal immunity and full reign to do what is necessary to quell the rebellion.

I find it interesting how we are going on a study abroad mainly to bridge cultural gaps and strengthen understanding between foreign nations, yet conflicts in these areas are the primary reasons behind the conflicts in southern Thailand. Obviously there is a huge cultural divide and sense of misunderstanding between the original Muslim inhabitants of southern Thailand and the rest of Thailand.

Trevor Habermeyer

http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/army-chief-says-thailand-facing-3-000-militants_767870.html

Southern Thailand Terrorist Bombings

Call me ignorant, but I was not aware that Thailand was having issues with insurgents and terrorists as of recently (actually, as I understand it, attacks have been common for several years now since 2004). This article focuses on a car bombing attack that occurred in a shopping district of southern Thailand. This attack was carefully calculated to target consumers in large commercial areas. According to analysts, most of the attacks focus on individuals and state officials. The attacks are conducted by Muslim insurgents who believe they are being discriminated against by the central government.

I was quite taken aback by this report. I assume that it is safe to travel in Thailand given BYU’s approval and the fact that the church continues to send missionaries there, but it is amazing to think we’ll be visiting a country that is currently in the midst of insurgent guerrilla battles. Hopefully we don’t get involved in Bangkok.

http://www.voanews.com/tibetan-english/news/Thailand-Warns-of-More-Bombings-in-South-145768045.html

Trevor Habermeyer

Bigger middle class key to growth: Expert

The number of Chinese billionaires may overtake the United States in the next five to 10 years.  They are increasing in number, however, the middle class is still sluggish and behind.  The article talked about the need for more entrepreneurs to contribute to the middle class success.  The top 1 percent of affluent Chinese families hold 41.4 percent of the nation's wealth.  That is quite a spread if you ask me.  This article is interesting and a quick read.  I enjoyed it because it talked a lot about entrepreneurship, which is what I am interested in.

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-04/02/content_14969465.htm

Kirk Robison

Green mission starts at home for better air

A man who lives in Beijing planted 6 tree's in his apartment in order to make it more like his hometown in the Hubei providence.  He also installed a stereo in his tree that plays sounds of natures.  In the article they quote him saying, "Nature can do without human beings, but people can't live without nature."  By planting the tree's, he is able to reduce the pollution in his apartment, however, he is also increasing the humidity by 50%.  I thought it was an interesting article and goes to show that we as humans can often do what we set our minds to.  However, I would never want to increase the humidity in my house by 50% :)

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-04/02/content_14969489.htm

Kirk Robison

Thailand Uses TrueBeam to Treat Cancer

For the first time, Thailand used a laser technology called TrueBeam to treat cancer in a 63 year old cancer patient. The technology allows doctors to treat the cancer without invasive surgery at all. The system is much more accurate than other treatments and can be performed in as little as 3 minutes.

I think the advance in technology is fascinating. The technology allows doctors to treat cancer that would otherwise be near impossible.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/first-cancer-center-in-thailand-commences-treating-patients-using-truebeamtm-system-for-high-precision-image-guided-radiotherapy-2012-04-02

Amy

Cambodia to be Host Country for ASEAN

Asian countries are determined to develop their economic union - ASEAN - into an entity similar to the European Union. The organization was founded in 1967, and throughout the years since then, most major Asian countries have joined.

A major topic of discussion on the agenda is North Korea's space missile launch. North Korea insists that they are not launching a missile, just a peaceful satellite. China and other countries are worried that if the launch occurs, debris from the launch will fall on their territories.

I think this article is interesting because the ASEAN seems more worried about debris than the actual missile launch.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/nkoreas-rocket-launch-myanmar-territorial-spats-to-grab-spotlight-at-asean-summit/2012/04/02/gIQAg9pCqS_story.html?tid=pm_world_pop

Amy