Show Navigation
All Galleries
Download

Life in Thailand's Troubled Deep South

72 images Created 4 Dec 2009

It's not quite war and it's not quite peace in Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala, Thailand's three southernmost provinces. Thailand is combatting an insurgency between the region's Muslim majority and forces representing Thailand's Buddhist central government. It's a bloody campaign being fought in the shadows. Insurgents use bombs and targeted assassinations.

The Thai government has responded by sending ten of thousands of regular soldiers to the region and arming a militia of tens of thousands.

The roots of the conflict go back centuries, to when the region was an independent Muslim kingdom. A part of Thailand since just 1902, Muslims chafe against Buddhist control and fear the loss of their culture.

These pictures were made during trips to the region. There are more photos in my archive.

Loading ()...

  • Sept. 25, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND: Thai soldiers patrol downtown Pattani, Thailand on motorcycles. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.  Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth2038.jpg
  • Sept. 29, 2009 -- YARANG, THAILAND: A Thai soldier turns away after seeing the results of a mysterious explosion in an elementary school office in rural Pattani province, Sept. 29. Muslim militants frequently target schools because they claim the public schools are a symbol of the Bangkok government. No one was hurt in the explosion and the official cause of the blast was undetermined.  Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3106.jpg
  • Sept. 29, 2009 -- YARANG, THAILAND: Thai soldiers clean up after a mysterious explosion in an elementary school office in rural Pattani province, Sept. 29. Muslim militants frequently target schools because they claim the public schools are a symbol of the Bangkok government. No one was hurt in the explosion and the official cause of the blast was undetermined.  Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3107.jpg
  • Sept 26, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND:  A Muslim woman passes a Thai soldier during a Thai army security operation near Krue Se Mosque in Pattani, Thailand, Sept. 26. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth2115.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND: Thai soldiers provide security for children walking to the Gahong School in Pattani, Thailand, Sept 27. Schools and school teachers have been frequent targets of Muslim insurgents in southern Thailand and the army now provides security at many government schools.  Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.  Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3037.jpg
  • Sept. 25, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND: A Thai Muslim girl walks past a Thai Buddhist monk on his morning rounds in Pattani, Thailand. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.  Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth2045.jpg
  • Sept. 25, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND: Soldiers and police officers accompany Buddhist monks on their morning rounds soliciting alms in Pattani, Thailand. Monks have been the targets of Muslim insurgent assassins who kill representatives of Thai Buddhist culture include monks and teachers. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.  Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth2034.jpg
  • Sept. 25, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND: Soldiers and police officers accompany Buddhist monks on their morning rounds soliciting alms in Pattani, Thailand. Monks have been the targets of Muslim insurgent assassins who kill representatives of Thai Buddhist culture include monks and teachers. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.  Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth2044.jpg
  • Sept 29, 2009 - YARANG, THAILAND: A Muslim woman walks among balloons for sales at a street fair in Yarang, Thailand, Sept. 29. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA  Press
    DeepSouth3103.jpg
  • Sept. 29, 2009 -- SAI BURI, THAILAND: A girl in a computer class at the Darunsat Wittya Islamic School in Sai Buri, Thailand. The school is the largest Muslim high school in Pattani province. Although it is a private school, the Thai government pays students' tuition to attend the school. The curriculum combines Thai official curriculum with Islamic curriculum. Many of the students go on to college level education in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Thai government views Islamic high schools with suspicion, fearing they radicalize students. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz
    DeepSouth3067.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND: School children in formation before class at the Gahong School in Pattani, Thailand, Sept 27. Most of the children in the school are Muslim. Schools and school teachers have been frequent targets of Muslim insurgents in southern Thailand and the army now provides security at many government schools.  Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.  Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3039.jpg
  • Sept. 28, 2009 -- TANJONG DATO, THAILAND: The Dato Mosque in the Muslim village of Tanjong Dato, in the province of Pattani, Thailand. The mosque, originally built in the 1400's at the time of the Pattani Kingdom, Thai control of the province, is on Thailand's historic register. Everybody in the village is Muslim and they say they have no problems, but the roads around the village leading to the provincial capital of Pattani are too dangerous for them to use once it gets dark. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3059.jpg
  • Sept. 28, 2009 -- TANJONG DATO, THAILAND: The village Imam leads a Tahnik ceremony for newborn baby Nikbukharin while the baby's grandfather holds him in the Muslim village of Tanjong Dato, in the province of Pattani, Thailand. The Tahnik ceremony is a naming ceremony, performed when the baby is one week old. Everybody in the village is Muslim and they say they have no problems, but the roads around the village leading to the provincial capital of Pattani are too dangerous for them to use once it gets dark. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3064.jpg
  • Sept. 28, 2009 -- TANJONG DATO, THAILAND: Men's shoes lined up in front of the mosque in the Muslim village of Tanjong Dato, in the province of Pattani, Thailand. Everybody in the village is Muslim and they say they have no problems, but the roads around the village leading to the provincial capital of Pattani are too dangerous for them to use once it gets dark. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3058.jpg
  • Sept. 28, 2009 -- TANJONG DATO, THAILAND: Muslim women make fish crackers in a small hut in the Muslim village of Tanjong Dato, in the province of Pattani, Thailand. The crackers are exported to Malaysia and the cracker factory is a leading source of revenue in the community. Everybody in the village is Muslim and they say they have no problems, but the roads around the village leading to the provincial capital of Pattani are too dangerous for them to use once it gets dark. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3057.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND:  Crewmen on fishing boat and workers on the dock wait to start work as a fishing boat returns to port in Pattani, Thailand.  Fishing is the main industry in Pattani, one of just three Thai provinces with a Muslim majority. Thousands of people, mostly Buddhist Thais and Burmese Buddhist immigrants, are employed in the fishing industry, either crewing ships, working in processing plants or working in the ship building and refreshing yards.  Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3044.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND:  Workers off load a fishing boat in the fishing port of Pattani, Thailand, Sept 27.  Fishing is the main industry in Pattani, one of just three Thai provinces with a Muslim majority. Thousands of people, mostly Buddhist Thais and Burmese Buddhist immigrants, are employed in the fishing industry, either crewing ships, working in processing plants or working in the ship building and refreshing yards.  Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3045.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- SUNGAI KOLOK, THAILAND: People leave Thailand to go to Malaysia at an informal border crossing on the Kolok River in Sungai Golok, Narathiwat, Thailand. The Thai-Malaysia border in Narathiwat province sees a steady stream of cross border trade but tourism from Malaysia which once flourished for Malaysians who wanted to drink and enjoy other vices prohibited in Muslim Malaysia has all but stopped since violence by Muslim insurgents in south Thailand destroyed several tourist hotels. Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3026.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- SUNGAI KOLOK, THAILAND: A man rides a motorcycles loaded with imported goods brought to Thailand at an informal border crossing on the Kolok River in Sungai Golok, Narathiwat, Thailand. The Thai-Malaysia border in Narathiwat province sees a steady stream of cross border trade but tourism from Malaysia which once flourished for Malaysians who wanted to drink and enjoy other vices prohibited in Muslim Malaysia has all but stopped since violence by Muslim insurgents in south Thailand destroyed several tourist hotels. Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3025.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND: A Muslim man performs a traditional Pattani folk dance from the time of the Pattani Sultanate in the 1600's at a community festival in Pattani, Thailand.  Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3008.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- TAK BAI, THAILAND: Thai Muslim boys play with toy shotguns in front of their home in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3021.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- TAK BAI, THAILAND: People wait a boat landing in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand to board a ferry bound for Malaysia. The Thai-Malaysia border in Narathiwat province sees a steady stream of cross border trade but tourism from Malaysia which once flourished for Malaysians who wanted to drink and enjoy other vices prohibited in Muslim Malaysia has all but stopped since violence by Muslim insurgents in south Thailand destroyed several tourist hotels. Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3017.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND: A Thai soldier with a machine gun mans a checkpoint during a security operation in Pattani, Thailand. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3005.jpg
  • Sept. 27, 2009 -- PATTANI, THAILAND: Thai Muslim men pray over the graves of family members in the Perkuboran To'Ayah Cemetery in Pattani, Thailand. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.   Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth3004.jpg
  • Sept. 26, 2009 -- YALA, THAILAND: Muslim and Buddhist Thais sit opposite each other on a train going from Pattani to Yala in southern Thailand. Thailand's three southern most provinces; Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are often called "restive" and a decades long Muslim insurgency has gained traction recently. Nearly 4,000 people have been killed since 2004. The three southern provinces are under emergency control and there are more than 60,000 Thai military, police and paramilitary militia forces trying to keep the peace battling insurgents who favor car bombs and assassination.  Photo by Jack Kurtz / ZUMA Press
    DeepSouth2098.jpg
Next
View: 25 | All
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
x

Jack Kurtz, Photojournalist & Travel Photographer

  • Published Work
  • Photographs
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • Jack on Instagram
  • About
  • Contact
  • My Occasional Blog
  • Portfolios on Behance
  • Portfolio