PATTANI (SouthernThailand): 30th March 2005 --  Due to conclude on 2nd April, a school summer camp conducted by members of the Salesian Family, is billed as a 'zone of peace' in a region beset with unrest due to Muslim insurgency.

    Beautiful Pattani, on the Eastern Malay peninsula not far from the border with Malaysia, is an ideal spot, at least in terms of nature, for such a camp.  The youngsters draw from at least seven mission stations in the three provinces which have experienced violent clashes between Muslims and Buddhists in recent years: Yala, Narthiwat, Pattani.  The school camp at Pattani is being held under the overall 'protection' of Thai soldiers sent to provide security in the immediate area.

    The Parish priest of nearby Yala is Salesian Fr Gus Roosens, a sprightly 79 year old who has been a missionary in Thailand for the past 50 years.

    The camp, which has had the Eucharist as its focus, is being conducted with the help of the SIHM Sisters and other leaders.  Some 80 children are taking part.  The school they attend is Charoisern School in Pattani itself, a diocesan school with 900 students originally built by the Salesians.  90 students at the school are Muslim, 60 Catholics and the rest are Buddhists.

    Fr Klement, Salesian Regional for the area, recently visited Yala and Pattani, and of course Haad Yai where the Salesian community is located.  He indicated that the area still bears signs of unrest, occasional explosions, some deaths, checkpoints every kilometre and at least 20,000 troops.  Today's BBC news indicates that Prime Minister Taksin is 'rethinking' his approach to the South, after a holiday where he had time to reflect on what was right and what was wrong with his current policies in that regard.