The issue of autonomy has been steadily gaining interest and is now a serious consideration as a means of mitigating the long-running conflict in the southern border provinces. This is a positive step towards finding a political solution to the conflict because, short of a Carthaginian Peace, there is no military option for a solving an armed insurgency which rejects the legitimacy of the state. Yet autonomy is not a magical political solution to the complex problems fuelling unrest.

(New York) - The government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva largely failed to fulfill its pledges to make human rights a priority, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2010.

At least two major incidences happened with children in November 2009. On 16 November, around 17.00, a school bus was hit by gunshots fired from a motorcycle on the road between Panare-Saban, Moo 4, Ban Hua Klong, Tambon Bannok, Panare district, Pattani. Three children from 12-18 years were injured including two boys who suffered two gun wounds on their limbs, and a 12-year-old-girl on her knees. They have been hospitalized and been safe. At the crime scene, four used 11mm bullets were found, but no culprits determined. 

Since three special laws have been enforced in the three Southern border provinces including the Martial Law Act B.E.2457 (1914) and the Emergency Decree on Government Administration in States of Emergency B.E. 2548 (2005) covering the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat and the Internal Security Act B.E. 2551 (2008)  covering the districts of Chana, Thepha, Nathawee, and Sabayoy in Songkhla, almost all of cases related to insurgency  are related to the enforcement of special laws. 

The device known as GT200 has been used by the Thai military to detect explosive materials and has drawn greater controversy with time as serious doubts of its effectiveness amount among human rights organizations, civil society, and the scientific community.