Faint hopes have been kindled in the Muslim-majority far south that this week’s coup by Thailand’s first Muslim army chief will ease violence in a region where 1,700 people have been killed in separatist unrest since 2004. “There have been no real changes, but we do expect slightly better treatment and understanding from the authorities as the coup leader is a Muslim,” said Roya Vansoh, an Islamic teacher at the central mosque in Pattani, a southern provincial capital. Full Story