Pro-Government Militias
Anti-Muslim death squad (Thailand)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: | yes |
| PGM ID Number: | 253 |
| Country: | Thailand |
| Date formed: | Jan. 1, 2004 |
| Accuracy of date formed: | year |
| Details of Formation: | The group emerged in 2004 after the Muslim insurgency began in the south and the army was unable to put it down. This death squad appears to be made up of police or army forces. It is uncertain who actually set up the PGM and to what degree the government is involved. |
| Date dissolved: | Sept. 19, 2006 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: | day |
| Details of Termination: | Thaksin was ousted by coup on 19 Sept 2006. One reason that was given for the coup was that he had failed to deal with the Muslim insurgency. The death squads are not mentioned again after that date. |
| Termination Type(s): | change in government |
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): | none |
| Successor group(s): | none |
| Private Military Company? | no |
| Former Group? | no |
| Former Armed Group? | no |
| Former Rebel Group? | no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? | no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: | none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: | informal (type 1) |
| Created by the Government?: | unclear | Main Creating Government Institution: | unclear |
| Government Link(s): | state (institution); military (institution) |
| If link to party, name of party: | None |
| Training and Equipment: | no information |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: | yes |
| Shared Personnel: | yes |
| Type(s) of Material Support: | domestic government |
| State Sponsor(s): | none |
| Other Connection(s): |
Group Characteristics
| Membership: | security forces |
| Primary Membership: | noncivilian |
| Alternative Primary Membership: | no information |
| Location: | Southern Thailand, e.g. Pattani province |
| Force Strength: | [unknown, unknown] |
| Target(s): | rebels, insurgents, or other armed group; ethnic group |
| Purpose(s): | intimidation of ethnic/religious groups |
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): | Malay Muslims (Thailand) |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: | given |
| Ethnic Membership: | none |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: | not applicable |
| Ethnic Purpose: | Malay Muslims (Thailand) |
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: | given |
Other Information
| Other Information: |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: | The group was used to abduct and kill suspected Muslim rebels. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use | unknown |
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: | Civilians (Muslims in particular) were killed by the group and suspected Muslim insurgents were abducted and executed. For instance, one source reports the abduction of a Muslim lawyer for which the PGM is said to be responsible. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: | kidnapping/abductions; killing |
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? | no information |
| PGM Members Paid? | no information |
| Reasons for Membership: | |
| PGM Members Killed? | no information |
PGM Size
| Size: |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: |
Organisation
| Organisation: | The group had a strong link to the security forces and sources report that they were in control of the group. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Evidence
- Examine the evidence for this coding.