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THAILAND MOURNS 6,000 LIVES LOST IN 22-YEAR SOUTHERN INSURGENCY
By Khaosod English - August 17, 2025
Justice Minister Police Colonel Thawee Sodsong leads a Buddhist merit-making ceremony to honor nearly 6,000 people killed during 22 years of southern border violence, at Wat Tanee Narasomosorn Royal Temple in Pattani Province on August 17, 2025.
PATTANI — Thailand held a solemn ceremony Sunday to remember the 6,000 lives lost and 14,000 injured in two decades of southern border unrest, as the government called for peace and dialogue to end the ongoing violence.
Justice Minister Police Colonel Thawee Sodsong presided over a Buddhist merit-making ceremony on Sunday, August 17, to dedicate merit to victims who died in the southern border unrest at Wat Tanee Narasomosorn Royal Temple in Pattani Province.
The ceremony was attended by approximately 1,200 people, including Deputy Prime Minister’s Office Assistant Minister General Niphath Thonglek, Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre Secretary-General Police Lieutenant Colonel Wanpong Kocharak, 4th Army Area Commander Lieutenant General Paisal Nusang, Pattani Governor, government officials, and families of Thai Buddhist victims.
The event aimed to make merit for those killed in the southern border unrest while boosting morale and encouraging affected families to resume normal lives.
Minister Thawee stated that over the past 20 years, the region has mourned losses from the ongoing unrest, with approximately 6,000 deaths and 14,000-16,000 injuries. “Today we make merit for those who died in the unrest to remember the departed and encourage those who remain after losing loved ones,” he said.
He expressed hope that the ceremony would convey a message that peace and tranquility will prevail, and that affected families’ voices will demonstrate that their loved ones’ deaths and injuries “are not without answers – the answer is the return of peace and harmony.”
“We see that violence brings only tears and suffering, making development difficult in these areas, while non-violent areas continue to progress. We have become areas of suffering that concern the entire nation. It’s time to turn and talk to each other,” Thawee emphasized.
Official Casualty Statistics
According to verified three-party statistics for the southern border provinces from 2004-2025, there have been 10,059 confirmed incidents resulting in 5,989 deaths: 2,849 Buddhists, 3,133 Muslims, and 7 Christians. Injuries totaled 13,445 people: 8,792 Buddhists, 4,645 Muslims, and 8 Christians.
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