By Sebastien Berger, South East Asia Correspondent
(Filed: 06/12/2004)
About 120 million origami birds were air-dropped over southern Thailand yesterday in an attempt to quell a Muslim insurgency that has led to the deaths of more than 500 people this year.
The gesture, heavily promoted by the Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, was intended to show solidarity with the region's inhabitants, but has been derided by critics as pointless and liable to cause a litter problem.
Nonetheless, it seized the popular imagination and the birds, symbols of peace and reconciliation, were folded by millions of people across Thailand, including the cabinet. Mr Thaksin signed his and its finder has been promised a job or a scholarship.
More than 50 military aircraft were involved in the exercise, which began at the auspicious hour of 9.09am.
A Muslim woman holds a bird she found in Yala province[snip]...one which carried the message: "Wish to see peace in the South."
[snip]...The governor of Yala province promised residents who collected 50,000 birds a bicycle, a table fan to those who picked up 10,000, and 2.2lb of sugar for 250.
The government seems unable to contain the violence, and its response has at times been counter-productive and heavy-handed - more than 80 Muslims were killed after a demonstration was crushed six weeks ago, the vast majority suffocating in lorries while in military custody.
there are times when Lennon's song haunts my imagination, 'of all the people'...
i cannot pollute this story with a quip.