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The Patani United Liberation Organization (also spelled Pattani United Liberation Organisation) or PULO is one of the active militant groups calling for a free and independent Patani. This group, along with others, is currently fighting for the independence of Thailand's predominantly Malay Muslim south.

History

PULO was founded in 1968 reportedly around the leadership of Kabir Abdul Rahman, an Islamic scholar. Its militant wing, which carries out the organization's violent attacks, is known as the Patani United Liberation Army or PULA.

A separatist group called New PULO splintered off from the main organization in 1995. However, the two began working together again in 1997 under the Bersatu umbrella organization.

Current separatist actions

Currently, PULO has a policy of targeting those whom it views as collaborators and associates of the state establishment, such as government officials, soldiers and policemen. Recently, their main target has been Buddhist school teachers, monks and village protection volunteers.

The organization carries out car bombs, road side bombs and drive-by shootings in order to incite fear in the civilian population.

PULO considers itself to be continuing the independence struggle of the Malay Sultanates and Kingdoms after the area was colonised and annexed by Siam two centuries ago. The state proposed by PULO would cover the areas historically ruled by the Sultanate of Pattani - consisting of Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, Songkhla and Satun provinces in present-day Thailand.

November 27, 2006 All schools in the southern province of Pattani will be closed until peace has been acheived. This act is the government's response to the numerous brutal killings of Buddhist school teachers in the past several months.

Notes

1. Liow, Joseph Chinyong. "The Security Situation in Southern Thailand: Toward an Understanding of Domestic and International Dimensions." Studies in Conflict & Terrorism. 27 (2004):531-48, p. 536.
2. Liow, p. 537.

See also

• Bersatu (separatist organization)
• Gerakan Mujahideen Islam Pattani (GMIP)
• Pattani (region)
• South Thailand insurgency

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