Thai security guards: Unlikely heroes of shooting at Korat mall are no "jobsworths"

[orang37]

I think they are heroes Thailand can be proud of for their courage in saving others in the face of mortal danger. 

 

While the tragedy of the needless deaths casts a long shadow over the news, I'm glad to see a story that reflects the side of Thailand that often is overlooked.

 

~o:37;

[sambum]

16 minutes ago, CGW said:

Seems to me that it is very PC to praise people doing their jobs and call them "heroes" in the era we are in, "heroes" a word that is over used IMO.

I agree wholeheartedly - often used to describe soccer players and other sportsmen - "Hero of the hour" etc.

[DJ54]

Well done and very much appreciated when people put their lifes

On the line for others.... Thank You!!

[sambum]

9 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

You do know that you just discriminated the female security guards? Or maybe you don´t think they did the same good job.

Oh give over! Maybe would have been more PC if he'd used the word "guys" as females seem to call themselves by that term as well these days? And to be honest, dso you even know if there were any female security guards involved in the situation?

[Matzzon]

50 minutes ago, sambum said:

Oh give over! Maybe would have been more PC if he'd used the word "guys" as females seem to call themselves by that term as well these days? And to be honest, dso you even know if there were any female security guards involved in the situation?

I would be very surprised if Terminal 21 does not have one or more female security guards.
 

But whatever, you go on calling them guys. That the right way for a masculine hottie like yourself. ????

[Bangkok Barry]

It's a little funny that the security guards are being praised for actually doing the job they are there for. But excellent job by them anyway, I guess. I'm sure I read before though that it was the SWAT teams who got people to safety. Maybe, probably, a joint effort. 

[djayz]

Anybody who kept their cool in that situation deserves a medal! 

 

[shy coconut]

1 hour ago, sambum said:

I agree wholeheartedly - often used to describe soccer players and other sportsmen - "Hero of the hour" etc.

Blimey, equating a football player with someone who does their up most to protect

innocent members of the public from a maniac firing automatic weapons around a shopping 

mall, I absolutely ridiculous.

 

These guys are true heroes, unarmed and facing an awful situation, probably saved many lives

by guiding them to safety and advising the security forces on the layout of the building which

may well have ended the situation.

 

[shy coconut]

35 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

It's a little funny that the security guards are being praised for actually doing the job they are there for. But excellent job by them anyway, I guess. I'm sure I read before though that it was the SWAT teams who got people to safety. Maybe, probably, a joint effort. 

You can take that to the extreme and say soldiers aren't heroes either because they are

"actually doing the job they are paid for" 

 

That isn't my view by the way.

[SupermarineS6B]

Here we go....... Thais are wonderful and so brave....... My rear end, don't you think just about every nationality would of done the same..?   Look how many people of many nationalities have attacked and stopped armed terrorists and not flinched about it.......  It was a very sad and bad situation, don't turn it into a circus...... 

[Chelseafan]

4 hours ago, dallen52 said:

I thought that was the job of the motor bike taxi drivers?

 

Nah, their job is to rip you off and drive like maniacs.

 

[Chelseafan]

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

It's a little funny that the security guards are being praised for actually doing the job they are there for. But excellent job by them anyway, I guess. I'm sure I read before though that it was the SWAT teams who got people to safety. Maybe, probably, a joint effort. 

I don't think their job description involved taking down a heavily armed army sharpshooter.

 

[Thian]

Our moobaan has new guards (happens every year)...now many are women...one guy brings 2 very young children every night in the nightshift. He  hides them at the lake but we hear the baby cry a lot and the 3-4 year old rides around on a bicycle (without any light)...she has to drive behind her dad who drives a scooter 100 meters in front of her...very dangerous.

 

The previous guards always saluted us, the ones we have now don't even look and also sleep in their boot.

 

We need those guards because the police in thailand doesn't like to work. But they shouldn't make our moobaan more dangerous than without them.

[Thian]

And what about the police or that army base? Why did the hanuman have to come by helicopter from bangkok to stop only 1 crazy soldier?? Was there nobody near?

[Mark mark]

Yes, God Bless them ! ... And Greatest thanks to them.

[Ireland32]

7 hours ago, Vacuum said:

Sorry if I offended your feelings about security guards. I quoted one line, which found to be rather comical. I'ts a well known fact that many security guards are sound asleep at 3AM.

Well the video I saw was one security guard outside a back room  unarmed , making sure the ladies were safe, by keeping them in that  room while he kept a watch in exposed position 

[sambum]

3 hours ago, shy coconut said:

Blimey, equating a football player with someone who does their up most to protect

innocent members of the public from a maniac firing automatic weapons around a shopping 

mall, I absolutely ridiculous.

 

These guys are true heroes, unarmed and facing an awful situation, probably saved many lives

by guiding them to safety and advising the security forces on the layout of the building which

may well have ended the situation.

 

I am not equating a football player with ........................ etc etc, but lots of people do! 

 

That is my point - the word is often used totally out of context with its true meaning. How can one be a "hero" by scoring a goal that wins a match?

 

The best definition I could find is :- 

he·ro

/ˈhirō/

a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

"a war hero"

 

[sambum]

4 hours ago, Matzzon said:

I would be very surprised if Terminal 21 does not have one or more female security guards.
 

But whatever, you go on calling them guys. That the right way for a masculine hottie like yourself. ????

From a later post:-

 

"These guys are true heroes, unarmed and facing an awful situation, probably saved many lives"

 

Whatever!

[Bangkok Barry]

1 hour ago, Chelseafan said:

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

It's a little funny that the security guards are being praised for actually doing the job they are there for. But excellent job by them anyway, I guess. I'm sure I read before though that it was the SWAT teams who got people to safety. Maybe, probably, a joint effort. 

I don't think their job description involved taking down a heavily armed army sharpshooter.

 

I don't think so either, and that isn't what they did. They escorted people out of the building, something rather different and much more in line with their duty. They left the 'taking down' to those trained for it.

[CGW]

6 hours ago, JustAnotherHun said:

And don't forget the honest Thai taxi drivers....

Hero's indeed, to a man, as are you for you being heroic enough to remind us of those that are so often not appreciated! 

[JeffinChonburi]

Facing a crazed (Highly armed) gunman is a daunting situation. As long as they did not run and hide, as long as they gave any direction, and help. That is better than nothing for a low paying job. It is not expected that all mall cops are to be battlefield ready for mass shootings.  

[milys]

9 hours ago, Ireland32 said:

What about Motorbike Taxi guys and Ambulance  Crews Very Courageous, helping Wounded 

What about them ? It's there job, I think we are going wrong when we expect any kind of humanity to be celebrated.

Everyone with a backbone would have done the same

[PhilAtUbon]

11 hours ago, gjoo888 said:

I do. For instance when backing into a parking space, a series of short "fweets" on the whistle means to keep backing up. When you hear a single longer "fweet," it means stop.

And when you hear “fweet-fweet-fweeeeeeet-Ugghuunnnungh” it means he shouldn’t have stood behind your car.

 

 

[PhilAtUbon]

13 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Great news. Many of us do not give Thai men enough credit. I know some who are truly outstanding men. Honest, honorable and hard working. Good on these guys. Hope they call them out by name so we can do what we can to heap praise on them. They deserve our gratitude.

 

Anyone does, who puts their safety on the line under such horrifying circumstances. 

SpiderMike, I agree with a great deal of what you say on this forum, and I most emphatically agree with you now.

 

There are reports from all over the world (definitely not enough of them) where “low status” and poorly paid individuals put themselves in harms way and risk their lives to help and protect total strangers.

 

And just because this is Thailand, it doesn’t mean that there are no selfless and courageous people amongst those whom we often think of as mere pains in the nethers.

 

Those guys are possibly trained in evacuating the building in the event of a fire alarm or power cut or whatever, but faced with genuine mortal danger, they stepped up to the plate.

 

 

 

[kiwikeith]

16 hours ago, Vacuum said:

Are you suggesting that they are liars?

This is wonderful news, but make sure the guards wear masks as well.

[Chelseafan]

12 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

I don't think so either, and that isn't what they did. They escorted people out of the building, something rather different and much more in line with their duty. They left the 'taking down' to those trained for it.

Do you really think their 'duty' involved escorting people out of the building under gunfire? I suspect their role was a lot more mundane than that, escorting people out when the fire alarm go's off for example.

I know that mall very well, in fact I was only there a few weeks ago, all they seem to do is open the door for you and salute. I'm sure there's much more to their job than that but no-one would expect them to have to be in a position looking after shoppers while a mad gunmen is shooting anybody who moves.

 

So yes, I do believe those guys are heroes, let's not belittle what they did. I wonder what we would all do if we were in their shoes.

 

[Chelseafan]

9 hours ago, milys said:

What about them ? It's there job, I think we are going wrong when we expect any kind of humanity to be celebrated.

Everyone with a backbone would have done the same

That's cold man. Humanity seems to be a rare trait in these selfish times.

[Monkeyrobot]

21 hours ago, Deli said:

The "security guy" at the condo complex where I stay wouldn't scare away a 3 year old.

Yes, they are useless in such a case.

Are you scared of 3 year olds ?? What about the Circus Clowns, do they scare you also? 

[PremiumLane]

21 hours ago, Vacuum said:

Sorry if I offended your feelings about security guards. I quoted one line, which found to be rather comical. I'ts a well known fact that many security guards are sound asleep at 3AM.

oh please, let's stop with the 'offended your feelings' trope. Because someone doesn't agree with what you are saying doesn't mean their feelings are offended - it is such a non-argument

[Saint Nick]

I really don't get these stories!

Is this the new "taxi driver brought back a bag with (insert crazy number here) dollars to its rightfull owner"- story?

In a situation like the one in Korat, some people do the "right" thing, some don't!

But if you are a security- guard, you SHOULD at least be able, to get people safely out of a building!

No one askes them, to step right into the line of fire or throw themselves onto a grenade!

So some did "their job"!

Good for them and thank you, but it SHOULD not be worth a giant article about bravery!\