The New York Times has a short video story on a new Thai Army program attempting to win hearts and minds through medical care. Since 2004 ethnic Malay muslims have clashed with the country’s buddhist majority for more autonomy. Recently, government troops have surged the southern provinces to quell the violence. However, Thai Army medics and doctors accompanying the troops army providing local villagers with basic medical care to soften the sting of military operations.
Will it win hearts and minds? Probably not. A quick visit by an army doctor is not enough to counter the friction caused by infantry patrolling through people’s villages and homes. However, the medical program, along with other development projects, will slow the growth of local resentment towards the military operations. More interestingly, the program might soften the Thai military’s behavior towards the local muslim villagers. Providing medical care could shape the military’s perception of its own role as supporting fellow countrymen as opposed to patrolling remote and unfriendly territory.
Hat tip: My parents.
Christopher R. Albon is a political science Ph.D. specializing in armed conflict, public health, human security, and health diplomacy.
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