Muslims pray, Tak Bai relatives mourn

POST REPORTERS

People in the three southernmost provinces yesterday swarmed to venues where paper cranes, a symbol of peace and goodwill, were airdropped over the deep South.

About 3,000 Muslims who opted out of the paper crane drop in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat held a Hayat prayer presided over by Prasit Aminzine in Pattani to mark their wish to see peace in the South. They also asked for Allah's blessing for His Majesty the King and the Royal Family.

In Yala, people of all ages crowded the municipality's sports stadium about 9.30am to await their share of the 100 million paper cranes airdropped over the three provinces and parts of Songkhla to mark the King's 77th birthday.

Some residents arrived as early as 7am to collect the paper birds, one of which was signed by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and carried the promise of a scholarship or a job for the lucky finder.

All eyes turned skywards when the first airplane flew over the stadium and drop-ped its consignment. Children scattered in excitement to catch the cranes. In the strong winds blowing yesterday, many paper birds became unfolded as they fluttered to the ground.

Those who managed to catch birds expressed happiness and thanks to their countrymen for their concern.

Bunsri Buakhao, 55, a driver at the Yala revenue office, caught a crane signed and addressed by Siriwan Prayoonmahisorn of Khon Kaen's Chumphae district.

He thanked her for her kindness and said he would send her a New Year card in return.

Niedir Waba, a member of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand and a Muslim leader in Yala, said he did not wish to criticise the government's paper crane peace-drive but insisted the cranes carried no meaning for Muslims.

Ali Matae, a religious teacher in Yala's Raman district, said asking for a blessing from Allah was the Muslim way, while the paper crane was an international one. ``We Muslims are not excited about it,'' he said. ``However, we appreciate and thank all Thais for sending their support.''

Relatives of the 85 protesters killed at Tak Bai greeted the event cynically. ``Paper cranes can't bring back my dead brother,'' said Maronee Sorni, 34, whose brother Ma-useng was shot dead at Tak Bai.

Children, however, were decidedly excited about paper birds fluttering from the sky. An-yamanee sae Dan, 4, of Manasuksa school in Muang Yala district, said she was able to catch eight cranes of various sizes, and wanted to find many more.

Viriya Chaichana, 9, of Chumchon Wat Ampawatnaram in Yala, said she wanted to find the crane bearing the signature of the prime minister. She and her friends arrived at the sports stadium early but none managed to catch a crane.

Anham Salae, 11, another student, said he found seven cranes, one of which came from Supachai Daengtakhot, a grade 9 student of Srikranuan Witthayakhom school in Khon Kaen.

Prime Minister Thaksin said he would also invite whoever picked up the paper crane he signed to dinner at Government House.

In Narathiwat, the atmosphere in 13 districts was lively with villagers preparing plastic bags and baskets to collect the paper birds.

Local firms offered cash rewards of 5,000-20,000 baht to people who found cranes, particularly the crane from Mr Thaksin.