Sri Nakharo is one of several Muslim extremist groups participating in a violent separatist campaign being waged in Thailand's southern provinces.  These groups are based in both Malaysia and Thailand, and are fighting for an independent state in Thailand's majority Muslim south.  Little is known about Sri Nakharo. Although they are thought to be a splinter group from the "Mujahideen Pattani" movement, the group's membership might be drawn from any of a dozen similar militant organizations in southern Thailand. <P><br /><br />Sri Nakharo was an unknown organization until they kidnapped two Thai businessmen in May 2001 in Pattani province, an area known for militant activity.  According to police sources, the group demanded 2 million baht ($44,000) in ransom from the captives' families.  When the ransom was not paid, the group beheaded their hostages and dumped the heads with a note reading "this is an example for those who did not pay the movement."  Many police officials believe that this incident was solely for profit, and was not a political statement by the group.  <P><br /><br />In July 2001, Thai police apprehended six suspects from the Sri Nakharo gang, reporting that the group was reportedly made up of 20 or so bandits hiding out in the mountains of southern Thailand.  At the time police suspected the group of several recent terrorist attacks, including the bombing of a railway station and the murder of a school teacher.  However, no proof was established linking the group to these incidents, and shortly after the arrests, Sri Nakharo faded into obscurity.  It is not known what happened to the six men apprehended, or the remaining members of the group.  <P><br /><br />Next to nothing is known about Sri Nakharo's specific philosophy, but it is likely that the organization shared the same viewpoint as other larger extremist groups in the region. To that end, Sri Nakharo could be a Muslim nationalist group, in the same vein as more well-known groups such as Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO) and Bersatu.