At the seminar entitled "Self-determination and Patani Peace" at Prince of Songkla University in Pattani on June 7, mock referendum ballots were distributed to the attendants to explore the possibility for a referendum for a "Patani State", or the secession of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and four districts of Songkhla -- the population of which are predominantly Muslims -- from the rest of Thailand.
Apart from the sensitive question of whether the time is now rife for such a referendum, "self-determination" needs to be correctly understood.
