In Search of Justice in Thailand's Deep South

John Clifford Holt is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of the Humanities in Religion and Asian Studies at Bowdoin College. Soraya Jamjuree teaches at Prince of Songkla University in Pattani and is a founder of the Civic Women's Network for Peace in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand. Hara Shintaro is a researcher and translator of Malay.

[The editors and translators] have dedicated their talents and resources to making the stories written by people in less privileged situations available to a wider audience. This is an ethical approach to a difficult situation. Furthermore, it can be read as a positive response to recent calls to decolonize scholarship, for those in already-privileged positions to act as megaphones for the less privileged, for research to engage with activism, and for research to proceed from collaboration and partnership. On all these counts, In Search of Justice in Thailand's Deep South is both a highly commendable and a contemporary book . . . It stands as one of the very few available opportunities to hear from victims of the violence in Thailand's deep south. This book is recommended reading for anyone seeking to better understand religious violence and the Thailand 'beyond the smiles' (as the original Thai collection was titled).-- "Southeast Asian Studies" The conflict between Buddhists and Muslims in southern Thailand has received little attention for the simple reason that it has been more dangerous doing research in this region than in other regions of the country. This remarkable collection enables readers to get a sense of the everyday lives of southerners living in the midst of this tension. I found the accounts gripping and memorable;they made me want to learn more about the historical roots of this conflict. --Katherine Bowie, University of Wisconsin-Madison, author of Of Beggars and Buddhas: The Politics of Humor in the "Vessantara Jataka" in Thailand This book is unique in its approach, giving voice to an often-marginalized group in society. The personal narratives provide readers with intimate details and insights into the experiences, challenges and transformations of both Muslim and Buddhist women who have endured tremendous suffering due to the conflict. In Search of Justice in Thailand's Deep South is a valuable contribution to the literature on the Deep South conflict, Islam and Buddhism in Thailand, and women in general.