Thai PM Apologizes to Muslims, Urges Shari'a

Thu, Nov 2, 2006 at 10:57:26 am PST

The new Muslim prime minister of Thailand, installed by military coup, has apologized to Muslims in the south.

And he’s urging the “limited use” of shari’a law.

PATTANI, Thailand - Thailand’s interim prime minister publicly apologized Thursday for the former government’s hard-line policies against an Islamic insurgency, promising an investigation into allegations of human rights abuses by the administration deposed in a recent coup.

In an unexpected initiative, Chulanont Surayud also said he would urge the limited use of Islamic law in Thailand’s Muslim-majority south to settle some disputes, especially over inheritance and family affairs, he said.

Surayud was accompanied by army chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, a practicing Muslim who led the Sept. 19 coup. Previous governments have shown little acceptance of Muslim culture.

An “unexpected initiative?” Not unexpected at LGF:
Thailand Coup Installs Muslim Prime Minister
The Real Subtext of the Thai Coup