Muslim general leads Thai army



The coup leader is General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the highest-ranking Muslim ever to ascend the ranks of the Thai army. According to Sobaka News Wire, King Bhumibol Adulyadej promoted Boonyaratglin in September 2005, since "the government is hoping to bring order to the violent southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, where more than 800 (and possibly as many as 1,200) people have died in bombings and targeted attacks by Muslim insurgents."

Thai links for current coup updates:

Thailand Daily

Thailand News Net