Thailand.

This is coolbert:

This could be big. The military in Thailand has seized control of the government in a coup.

"Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has appeared on Thailand TV to explain the military coup which has ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his government."

"Sonthi is a Muslim in this Buddhist-dominated nation, AP reported."

http://http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/19/thailand.coup.rumor/index.html

Thailand has been a nation where the coup has been a staple of governmental change for some time.

But not for the last fifteen years. Recently, Thailand has had a booming economy and has been a popular spot for tourism. Especially those interested in the international sex trade.

What is most surprising is that the Army Chief General is a Muslim.

This in what is called a "predominantly" Buddhist nation.

"Population:

64,631,595

Religions:

Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)"

Buddhists face a special dilemma with regard to Muslims. Buddhists are not considered "protected people" under Islam. Islam considers the Buddhists to be polytheists and are regarded as lacking protection of any kind. A Buddhist is offered only the route of death or conversion from Muslim conquerors.

According to Joseph Campbell: [referring here to the Islamic conquest of India]

"The holy Hindu city of Benares fell in 1194 and the entire Buddhist province of Bihar in 1199, where the university of Nalanda was utterly destroyed, its population of some 6000 monks summarily put to the sword"

"Put to the sword". Meaning the head was cut off by swords of Damascus steel. Of course this was in the year 1199. Surely by now the Muslim has given up such practices? Surely?

The number of Muslims in Thailand must be small. But still a significant number of troublemakers exist.

In the area of the Isthmus of Kra. That narrow strip of land that connects Malaysia to the Asian mainland. Here are found a lot of Muslims. And are causing for some time now, a lot of trouble. A minor, at this point, insurrection has been on-going for some time. Persons purportedly to have ties to Al Qaeda and trained in the myriad number of training camps found throughout SE Asia.

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/012945.php

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/012490.php

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/012174.php

[this represents a sampling of similar posts from the Jihad Watch web site].

How will having a Muslim in charge of the Army make a difference in this case? Can't say yet. Time will only tell.

coolbert.