Patani United Liberation Organization

The Patani United Liberation Organization (also spelled Pattani United Liberation Organisation) or PULO is one of the active terrorist and militant groups calling for a free and independent Patani. This group, along with others, is currently fighting for the independence of Thailand's predominantly Malay Muslim south.

History

PULO was founded in 1968 reportedly around the leadership of Kabir Abdul Rahman, a Patani Malay scholar. [Liow, Joseph Chinyong. "The Security Situation in Southern Thailand: Toward an Understanding of Domestic and International Dimensions." "Studies in Conflict & Terrorism." 27 (2004):531-48, p. 536.] Its militant wing, which carries out the organization's violent attacks, is known as the Patani United Liberation Army or PULA. [Liow, p. 537.]

A separatist group called New PULO splintered off from the main organization in 1995. [http://www.islamonline.net/English/Views/2004/05/article03.shtml]

Current separatist actions

Currently, PULO has a policy of targeting those whom it views as collaborators and associates of the Thai government, such as civil servants, soldiers and policemen. Recently, their main target has been Buddhist monks, school teachers, and even Muslim village protection volunteers.

The organization carries out car bombs, road side bombs and drive-by shootings targeting Thai military and police.

PULO considers itself to be continuing the independence struggle of the Malay Sultanates after the area declared its independence following the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. The Islamic state proposed by PULO would cover the areas they say were historically ruled by the Sultanate of Pattani - consisting of Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, Songkhla and Satun provinces in present-day Thailand. However, Songkla Province is only about 30% Muslim and mainly Thai speaking, while Satun actually was part of Kedah and has shown virtually no support for separation from Thailand.

On November 27, 2006, the Thai government ordered all schools in the province of Pattani temporarily closed. This was in response to protect its citizen from the upsurge brutal attacks on school teachers -- including women -- in the previous months. Since then, several schools have been burnt by the separatist militants.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/pulo.htm PULO analysis]
* [http://www.heritage.org/Research/AsiaandthePacific/hl860.cfm PULO and terrorism]