It is not unexpected that the Muslim community here identifies with the Thai Muslims' plight in the name of brotherhood and neighbourliness. However, we should avoid violent protests, emotional rhetoric and bravado as such actions might be construed as interference into another country's sovereignty.

There is no secret that the Muslims there have been fighting for a separate state for a long time. Nevertheless, in any struggle, there must be respect for human lives and the high-handedness of the riot police on unarmed demonstrators must be condemned, not only in Thailand but elsewhere in the world.

This situation is also complicated by the 'tacit agreement' of the non-interference policy of Asean countries. While the outpouring of outrage is apparent in this situation, the same cannot be said about Aceh, where its people have fought persecution for years.

We must engage problems by diplomatic means and avoid been seen as building bias in the handling of inter-country relationships. If I am not wrong, Thailand has never interfered in Malaysia's affairs, not even at the height of Anwar's crisis.

Thailand has been true to its 'non-interference' stance as an Asean member, so much so that its neutrality stance irritated the Allied forces during the World War II. Furthermore, to add more hot water, there is a potential political embarrassment emerging in the case of plight of Rohingyas in Burma, a country which is going to assume chairmanship of Asean in near future.

What if we identify with them? Will there be a problem then?

It is ironic that Thai Muslims identify more with the Malays in the northern states of Malaysia than their motherland, they speak Malay and practice their own culture.

It is ironic in the historical sense that Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis were formally part of the Siam empire. The sultans, with the help of the British, maneuvered to secede the states from the Siam domain.

I think we must help by engaging our neighbour. We must not just complain about the smoke, without knowing the source of the fire. If poverty is the cause, then assistance should be rendered in the form of economic development, but if ideology is the cause, it will be more complicated.

Rhetoric is not enough. We need to find a real solution.

I am outraged and angry at the cold-blooded murder of people in southern Thailand. I would have felt the same even if those who were murdered were Buddhists or Hindus or Christians or Jews.

This is law enforcement at its worst. If this sort of incident can make a normally passive and law-abiding person like me angry, I shudder at the thought of its effect on the relatives and friends of those directly affected.

I fear for the people and the peace and tranquility of southern Thailand. Rhetoric for restraint, understanding, apologies and commissions of inquiries are not going to be useful under these circumstances.

Instead, the Thai government must quickly implement socio-economic uplifting initiatives. If necessary Malaysia should assist under the 'prosper thy neighbour' thesis. Only socio-economic improvement and increasing prosperity will solve this problem over the long term.

Over the short term, Thaksin must control his generals more effectively and replace those southern military commanders.