Buddhists rally for peace - TH

[dArKeR]

REUTERS , NARATHIWAT, THAILAND
Thursday, Jun 03, 2004,Page 6

Buddhists in Thailand's Muslim-dominated south gathered yesterday for a morale-boosting rally after the beheading of a Buddhist man this week stoked fears of sectarian conflict in the restive region.

Tension between Muslims and Buddhists, who are the overwhelming majority in Thailand but are outnumbered four to one in the deep south, is on the rise after five months of attacks on government officials, teachers and security forces.

The Thai government called off talks between the military and a Muslim separatist group on Tuesday because of the beheading and an attack on a Chinese shrine popular with Buddhists.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/06/03/2003158057