Southern Thailand Conflict - Essay Example

The student will carry out comprehensive and detailed research in one of the most studied conflicts of recent times, the Southern Thailand Conflict. The research will analyze some of the significant aspects of the conflict, in order to understand the different notions related to it. Some of the major causes of this conflict will be investigated, and the study will endeavor to suggest possible solutions to such conflict, which has affected the lives of millions of people in Southeast Asia.

Background

A nationalist campaign is one of the major causes of the Southern Thailand conflict, which has been related to Muslim terrorists that are spreading violence in a number of provinces of Thailand, such as the Malay Pattani region, etc. Although the region has confronted a number of violent activities for decades; however, the year 2004 witnessed the highest point in such violence. In the year 2005, emergency powers were used by the Prime Minister of Thailand to control the insurgency in the country. Subsequently, the combat became operational in the year 2006, as extraordinary powers were given to the army by the Prime Minister. Until now, the real identity of terrorists behind such violence is still a mystery, and this study will try to analyze different aspects of this conflict.

There has been great governmental conflict going on between the Muslims and the government in southern Thailand due to the false belief that Muslims are involved in terrorism, which has thought Muslims at risk related security issues of the country, and thought to be the center of organized crime, as well as, the drug industry. The roots of conflict between the Malay-Muslim population is due to the perceived discrimination that can be traced back to times when the modern Thai state was being established by the “Chakkri” dynasty. This is known to have taken place in the early part of the18th century; it was also done in an attempt to take over the control of “Patani”. Thereafter the conflict has been there due to the following main ingredients, which have been woven together:

1. The misconception of Hijra (flight),
2. Perceived threat towards Iman (faith),
3. Misinterpretation of Jihad (holy war).

Objectives of Research

The research is directed towards understanding and analyzing the "Southern Thailand Conflict" idea, which will be researched as follows:

1. What are the main causes of the conflict?
   2. Why Muslims in Southern Thailand are conflicting with the Thai government?
   3. What are the possible solutions for this issue?

Methodology and Facilities:

Methodology refers to the overall approach to the research process, from the theoretical underpinning to the collection and analysis of the data. Research methodology refers to a set of tools and techniques used in carrying out the research.  There are different types of research, such as descriptive vs. analytical, applied vs. fundamental, quantitative vs. qualitative, and conceptual vs. empirical.  

The above description of the types of research brings to light two main approaches to collect and analyze data in research:

• Quantitative Approach
• Qualitative Approach

Quantitative research involves the analysis of numeric data through surveys etc. There are three general types of quantitative methods namely: experiments, quasi-experiments, and surveys/questionnaires.

Qualitative research involves the analysis of data such as words (from scriptures), pictures (media coverage), or objects (speeches). There are three general types of qualitative methods: namely case studies; ethnicity-related studies and religious conflict and intolerance-related studies.

Hence, since the paradigm is ethnic and religious conflicts, so the methodology selected would be the qualitative approach. The various types of research methods for this approach are action research, case studies, ethnography, religious perspective, ground theory, humanistic schools of thought, and inquiries based on observation. The researcher would be mainly using religious and ethnic studies and case studies based on relevance. The researcher will use qualitative case studies to explore topics and explain other findings related to this research.

Deliverable Schedule

The study requires a prolonged period, which can be segmented into different phases. The first phase will involve extensive case study reference and analysis time, which will be followed by content analysis of scriptures and religious context with reference to the conflicts at hand. Moreover, surveys and questionnaires will be distributed for performing data analysis, and lastly, data tabulation and result/conclusion formation will be the last phase of the study.