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Don Pathan
Don Pathan is a security analyst focusing on conflict in Myanmar/Burma and insurgency in Thailand’s far south.
Articles by Don Pathan
Thailand’s High-Stakes Gamble in the South
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Don Pathan
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2026
Don Pathan 
2026 Thailand’s 2026 shift to using civilian volunteers on the front lines has reignited the southern insurgency, reversing more than a decade-long downward trend in violence.
Myanmar’s New Thailand Pivot
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Don Pathan
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2026
Thailand shifts to a proactive, unilateral Myanmar policy in 2026, balancing border security risks against a new role as mediator.
Myanmar’s Drone War: An Escalation
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Don Pathan
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2026
A February 2026 drone attack on a civilian airliner signals a volatile shift as Myanmar’s resistance challenges both the junta and China.
Thailand’s 2026 Election: The Shift in Power
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Don Pathan
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2026
Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party rode nationalism and technocratic appeal to a landslide 2026 election victory, sidelining reformist rivals.
Arson Attacks Signal Breakdown in Peace Talks
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Don Pathan
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2026
Electoral Ambitions vs Security Realities In the beginning of this year, 11 PTT petrol stations in Thailand’s southernmost border provinces came under simultaneous arson and bombing attacks in the wee hours of Sunday, 11 January 2026. The country is currently undergoing preparations for a nationwide poll to elect local administration organisation officials. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul […]
The “End State” Deadlock
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Don Pathan
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2026
For a peace process to be meaningful, it must move beyond “talk shops” and address the criminalisation of political discourse in Patani.
KNU, Scam Centres and an Uneasy Alliance
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Don Pathan
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2025
International sanctions and military raids are dismantling Myanmar’s billion-dollar scam hubs, reshaping border alliances and human safety.
New Government, New Team
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Don Pathan
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2025
Peace talks between the Thai government and BRN are back on track after two years, but philosophical and legal hurdles remain.
Anwar’s Lack of Fortune in Thailand’s Far South
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Don Pathan
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2025
Anwar Ibrahim’s peace efforts in Thailand’s far south are continuously hampered by political instability in Bangkok.
Of Colonial Legacy and Political Discord
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Don Pathan
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2025
The Thailand-Cambodia border clashes are symptoms of deep-seated colonial legacies, political dysfunction and failed diplomacy.
Clashing Narratives, Colliding Histories
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Don Pathan
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2025
Thailand and Cambodia’s conflict, rooted in history, flares up again with deadly consequences and complex internal politics.
When Separatist Bombs Shake Thailand’s Tourist Shores
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Don Pathan
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2025
As peace talks crumble, insurgents begin targeting Thailand’s tourism hot spots.
Thailand’s Conflict: Guns, Bombs and Assassinations
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Don Pathan
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2025
BRN targets local DVs, escalating violence as peace talks stall in Thailand’s restive south.
Malaysia’s Enduring Significance for Peace in Southern Thailand
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Don Pathan
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2025
Malaysia navigates a complex role in facilitating peace talks for Thailand’s southern insurgency, balancing ties and trust.
Thailand: Of Uyghur Deportations and Backlash
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Don Pathan
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2025
Thailand’s deportation of Uyghur detainees has strained ties with the United States and drawn backlash from human rights groups.
Bordered by History: Tension in the Thailand-Myanmar Frontier (Part II)
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Don Pathan
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2025
Tensions persist along the Thailand-Myanmar border, shaped by history, ethnic conflicts and shifting alliances.
Tensions Rise in Southern Thailand as Ramadhan Ceasefire Talks Stall
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Don Pathan
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2025
Despite efforts for peace, violence intensifies and peace talks remain deadlocked.
Bordered by History: Tension in the Thailand-Myanmar Frontier (Part I)
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Don Pathan
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2025
Remnants of tension linger along the Thailand-Myanmar border, steeped in history, tourism and opium.
The Gaza Conflict Has Stirred Thailand’s Far South, Mildly
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Don Pathan
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2024
Israel’s war on Gaza has sparked concern of a rise in insurgent activities in Thailand’s southern provinces.
