Bloody Time Reflects Mounting Insurgency In Thai South

[lotus eater]

I haven't read through this thread, and apologies if my post suffers for it.

But my thought is that the Thais have tried degrees and versions of both hard and soft tactics so far. It seems obvious to me that at its root the problem is not religious (though islamophobes like to see it as such) but rather ethnic, culturl, linguistic and consequently separatist. But if it is stamped on in an uncompromising way the insurgency will resort increasingly to religion to stiffen their fight.

Surely the lesson of europe's successes with such minorities has been to allow diversity not impose uniformity in these matters. I'm thinking of basques in Spain, South Tyrol austrians in Italy; or to look at more mature cases - even Belgium and Switzerland might have insurgencies if the german and walloon majorities tried to impose a uniform culture and language on the minority french and flemish.

But I can't foresee the thais grasping that nettle.

[Jai Dee]

Army Spokesperson believes that increased crackdown by authorities will result in no insurgents left in the southern region

The Army Spokesperson believes that increased crackdowns by authorities in the southern border provinces will result in a minimal insurgent presence.

Army Spokesperson and Director of the Joint Civil Defense Center, Col Akara Thiparoj (อัคร ทิพโรจน์ ), reported on increased offensive operations by authorities in the three southern border provinces. Col Akara revealed that increased efforts against insurgents has resulted in improvements in the confidence of local southern residents towards the government and authorities.

Local residents are also participating more frequently in providing intelligence to authorities, resulting in the arrest of more than 356 Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) members. Col Akara revealed that, of the total number of arrests made, 80 suspects were found to have participated in armed attacks against authorities. 15 suspects have been prosecuted, while 9 are sentenced to be executed.

The Army Spokesperson expressed his belief that crackdown by authorities will result in almost no insurgent elements remaining in the southern border provinces. Col Akara asked southern residents to protect their children from being influenced by insurgent groups.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Southern medical officers prepared for possible crisis

Ministry of Public Health has called upon medical officers operating in five southern provinces for a meeting in preparation for possible crisis.

Public Health Minister Md. Mongkol Na Songkla (มงคล ณ สงขลา) recently presided over the meeting in Pattani (ปัตตานี) Province. The meeting is meant to announce Yala (ยะลา) Hospital and Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่) Hospital as centers to receive and distribute victims of the southern violence from and to other hospitals in Songkhla (สงขลา), Pattani (ปัตตานี), Yala, Narathiwat (นราธิวาส), and Satun (สตูล). Doctors and all medical specialists will stand by at the hospitals 24 hours.

At the same time, Public Health Ministry plans to boost cooporation between local residents and their local hospitals as hub to treat issues concerning health.

To encourage officers in the deep South, medical officers operating in the southern region will be promoted to C-8 level; officers and chiefs of local medical service station will be promoted to C-7.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 July 2007

[Mid]

Army Spokesperson believes that increased crackdown by authorities will result in no insurgents left in the southern region

I really want to know ,

did he say that with a straight face ?

.....................................................

Ministry of Public Health has called upon medical officers operating in five southern provinces for a meeting in preparation for possible crisis.

<deleted>

Edited July 9, 2007 by Mid

[Jai Dee]

Hat Yai and Yala Central Hospitals to become emergency treatment centers

The Ministry of Public Health is preparing to establish Hat Yai Hospital and Yala Central Hospital as emergency treatment centers.

Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla hosted a meeting of more than 400 physicians, nurses, and public health officials from Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Satun provinces yesterday (July 9). The meeting was held to discuss development strategies for the southern provinces. Dr. Mongkol stated that due to the limited number of public health officials and dangers from insurgent activities, development of healthcare skills in local community members is essential for southern residents.

The Public Health Ministry will be establishing 37 rehabilitation centers in southern hospitals in order to train 2000 community health volunteers in handling medical emergencies. The Hat Yai Hospital and Yala Central Hospital will also be established as 24-hour emergency treatment centers and specialized health care providers for victims of the southern unrest.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 July 2007

[Mid]

Dr. Mongkol stated that due to the limited number of public health officials and dangers from insurgent activities, development of healthcare skills in local community members is essential for southern residents.

he's right and it's a damning indictment of Thai society .

[Jai Dee]

PM will visit deep South tomorrow

Police are keeping a close watch along the routes in Yala province as Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is scheduled to visit the three southern border provinces tomorrow (Jul 11). Gen. Surayud will hold talks with relevant units in finding ways to address the ongoing southern insurgency, and he will also meet with the local people, state officials and teachers in the region.

Police and army officials are enforcing rigorous security measures in many areas of Yala, to prevent violence from occurring. In addition, the officials have continually inspected residences and dormitories in Yala as they could harbor the southern insurgents.

Police and army officials have prepared security plans for the Prime Minister and his entourage when they have arrived in Yala tomorrow. Mobile phone signals are expected be cut off in certain areas, to prevent the insurgents from triggering bombs via mobile phones.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 July 2007

[Scott]

I never quite understand what these people do on their visits to the South. There never really seems to be an agenda. It seems like just more show when they have no action plan.

[Jai Dee]

Security in Pattani enhanced prior to PMs visit

Security officials in Pattani province are imposing stringent security measures as Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and a group of officials will travel to the deep South tomorrow (Jul 11). The measures will prevent possible unrest activities from occurring during their visit.

Meanwhile, the Director of Ban Kue Ya School in Muang district of Pattani province, Mr. Viroj Phaovimol, says the security officials are looking after the teachers in the southernmost provinces. However, Mr. Viroj says the officials have to develop a mutual understanding with the local people more effectively in order to prevent teachers from leaving the southern schools.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Southern religious leaders, community chiefs and state officials on a field trip in BKK

45 religious leaders, community chiefs and state officials from the three southern border provinces join a field trip to Bangkok and neighboring provinces. Thus, they can share their knowledge and experiences from this field trip with the local people in the deep South, with an aim to develop peace and promote reconciliation in the region.

At the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters today (Jul 11), Admiral Wichai Yuwanangkura, the Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Navy, welcomed the southern religious leaders, community chiefs and state officials. The field trip is between July 9th and 15th and this group of tourists will visit many important locations in Bangkok and nearby provinces. They will hold talks with the Royal Thai Navy to find ways to reconcile the country.

Meanwhile, the entourage from the far South today met Maj. Gen. Chai Kamwong, the First Regional Army Deputy Commander, Maj. Gen. Chai Kamwongsa, to share their ideas and visions to promote peace in the Islamic community.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 July 2007

[geriatrickid]

Dr. Mongkol stated that due to the limited number of public health officials and dangers from insurgent activities, development of healthcare skills in local community members is essential for southern residents.

he's right and it's a damning indictment of Thai society .

Yes, he's right

No it's not damning. He's doing his job.

As I have stated previously, Dr. Mongkol Na Songkhla is one of the few health ministers in the world that is qualified for the job. He has an MPH in tropical medicine as well as the basic MD. He has experience at the local level both in providing medical care and in acting as an administrative Chief Medical Officer. He knows what he is doing. This is the old CMO in him seizing an opportunity to beef up medical services which might otherwise get overlooked. He's also acutely aware of the consequences if some of these sickos start mass poisonings as has been threatened. We're lucky to have the big M and his experience. I have complete confidence in this health professional.

[Scott]

Dr. M is a nut case. He may be good in his particular area, but in the political arena he's not. Most of his ideas are wacko.

[geriatrickid]

Dr. M is a nut case. He may be good in his particular area, but in the political arena he's not. Most of his ideas are wacko.

and you know this because??????? (may be appropriate for another thread on Thai health policy)

I can't think of any "wacko ideas" unless you believe prevention of disease and preparedness are wacko.

Also don't know of any people in public health that share your views, unless you mean the drivers that were told to turn off idling car engines to save on petrol and to reduce emissions. yes, very wacko......... shame on him.

[Jai Dee]

Thai Security Forces Accused of Abuse in Fighting Insurgency

Human Rights Watch says that despite government efforts at reconciliation, Thai security forces are still committing rights abuses in fighting an insurgency in southern Thailand. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, Human Rights Watch says such tactics are likely to strengthen the insurgents.

Brad Adams, the head of the U.S. group Human Rights Watch, says even Thai military sources have privately confirmed the group's allegations of abuses in southern Thailand.

"The army is still committing extra-judicial executions, lots of cases of torture, arbitrary arrests and disappearances and making the situation worse down there where the Thai government needs to win hearts and minds," he said. "We have done our own investigations, which show that disappearances are a widespread problem."

Adams was in Bangkok this week, meeting with diplomats and government officials to urge new efforts to end the three-year Islamic insurgency in the south.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has tried to take a softer tone in the south since he came to power 10 months ago. But killings continue and there are concerns that the Islamic militants might try to move the battle elsewhere in the country.

Thailand's population is more than 90 percent Buddhist, but the southern border provinces are home to about 1.5 million Muslims.

"General Surayud has from the day he took office said the right things about the south," added Mr. Adams. "He said the main reason that the insurgency started was a lack of justice in the south. He has recognized poor socio-economic conditions in the south and he has continued to talk about respecting human rights and reconciliation."

Thailand's army chief, and the leader of the coup that put Mr. Surayud in office, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, has also backed efforts for reconciliation.

But Adams says the security forces are divided. Some officers want to adopt a harder line toward the insurgents. But Adams says this is what the insurgents are seeking.

"What the militants want is an overreaction from the Thai government and the Thai military, because they want to demonstrate to the community in the south that they should not have any loyalty, allegiance or hope with the Thai state," he noted.

The insurgents themselves are shadowy and no group or leader has declared responsibility for the violence.

Over 2,400 people have died since the insurgency began in early 2004, in a long series of beheadings, bombings, and assassinations of civil servants and teachers.

Adams says that after a civilian government is elected later this year, it should adopt the recommendations of a National Reconciliation Commission. The commission calls for a greater civilian role in the administration of the provincial governments.

"The Thai government has to end extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture and disappearances," he said. "It needs to fight a counter-insurgency within the law."

The southern region, which was a sultanate until coming under Thai control over 100 years ago, has faced sporadic violence over the past decades.

The region, one of the poorest in Thailand, has also long claimed of discrimination and government efforts to suppress the local Malay dialect.

Source: VOA - 14 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Emergency Decree in the deep South extends for 3 more months

The Cabinet has agreed to extend the Emergency Decree in the southernmost provinces for three more months as the continual violence in the region has impacted many lives and properties.

The Deputy Spokesman of the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Natthawat Suthiyothin (ณัฐฐวัฒน์ สุทธิโยธิน), reveals that the Cabinet meeting yesterday (Jul 17) has decided to extend the emergency decree in the restive South for three more months, starting from July 20th, 2007.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

4th Army able to secure all conflict areas in Deep South

Fourth Army Area Commander Lt.Gen.Viroj Buacharoon (วิโรจน์ บัวจรูญ) affirms military officers have thoroughly secured the insurgency-ridden areas in the three Southern-most provinces.

The commander says there has been no red zone in the provinces and only pink zones have been declared at present. State officials can access all conflict areas to deal with insurgency and assist local people. However, Lt.Gen.Viroj admits that some of the areas still side with insurgent groups and the government has to dispatch officials to create an understanding with the people in line with reconciliation means.

The red zones are areas governed by an insurgent group and have the problem of state corruption, according to the commander.

Meanwhile, Director of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Center (SBPAC), Pranai Suwannarat (พระนาย สุวรรณรัตน์), says community leaders, including sub-district and village headmen, are the government’s important mechanism to mediate people’s conflicts. SBPAC has therefore appointed five more deputy village headmen for each village. More than 300 villages in the Deep South already have new deputy village headmen whose responsibilities concern security.

Mr Pranai states that the government has approved a plan to facilitate the work of the new deputy village headmen and expects that all villages in the three Southern-most provinces will have five more deputy village headmen at the end of this year.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 July 2007

[ColPyat]

4th Army able to secure all conflict areas in Deep South

Fourth Army Area Commander Lt.Gen.Viroj Buacharoon (วิโรจน์ บัวจรูญ) affirms military officers have thoroughly secured the insurgency-ridden areas in the three Southern-most provinces.

The commander says there has been no red zone in the provinces and only pink zones have been declared at present. State officials can access all conflict areas to deal with insurgency and assist local people.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 July 2007

What a pile of rubbish.

It's worse than ever, and in the deep red zones there is hardly any state control at all anymore.

[Mid]

Emergency Decree in the deep South extends for 3 more months

4th Army able to secure all conflict areas in Deep South

what's to say ??

[Scott]

Yesterday in the BKK Post, I believe there was something about a bombing in Yala that killed a bomb disposal expert and wounded a number of others including a stringer for the Post. Are they getting more sophisticated or just braver?

[ColPyat]

Yesterday in the BKK Post, I believe there was something about a bombing in Yala that killed a bomb disposal expert and wounded a number of others including a stringer for the Post. Are they getting more sophisticated or just braver?

The have all along been very sophisticated, and the issue of bravery or cowardice does IMHO not even come into the equation here as it sidetracks us from the basic issues. This is a highly sophisticated and well planned insurgency which is in the process of extreme escalation.

[Jai Dee]

PM assured religious/org. leaders and teachers that government underlines southern unrest

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont (สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์) has assured the religious and organizational leaders as well as the teachers in the southern border provinces of Thailand that the interim government recognizes the importance of solving the unrest in the three southernmost provinces.

Gen. Surayud presided over the Roles of Muslims in Promoting Reconciliation seminar at Imperial Queenspark Hotel this morning (Jul 19). The seminar was organized by the Embassy of Iran and more than 2000 religious leaders, teachers and organizational leaders from the southernmost region of Thailand attended this event.

The Prime Minister delivered a speech, saying the Thai government has given importance to develop the cordial relations between Thailand and the Islamic countries around the world since the era of King Narai the Great. At present, the Islamic community in Thailand is an integral part of the country, and the Thai people are supporting a peaceful and harmonious society. The Thai government also allows people to have the rights to freely choose what religions they want to have faith in.

At the seminar, Gen. Surayud also touched on the violence in the three southern border provinces of Thailand. He said the unrest is not caused by religious conflicts, but it has affected the southern people. He said the government is following His Majesty the King’s address in solving the southern unrest in a peaceful manner. The government also implements the reconciliation policy so people of different cultures and religions can live together peacefully.

The Prime Minister said if the officials are working in the right direction, he believes the problem in the South would certainly be solved in the future.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 July 2007

[Scott]

My use of 'braver' doesn't refer to bravery as opposed to cowardice. It refers to being more daring. Generally, they manage to get a few police, or a pickup truck with some not-very-well trained conscripts in it. The bomb disposal guys seem to me like they are the top of the heap and should be harder to get.

It seems that either they (insurgents) got lucky, they are getting better at what they do or the gov't is getting careless. The last one shouldn't be happening because there's enough activity that everyone needs to be on their toes.

[Plus]

The bomb disposal guys seem to me like they are the top of the heap and should be harder to get.

You obvioulsly haven't seen "Thai bomb disposal" video.

http://www.filecabi.net/host/file/thailandbombsquad/wmv

[ColPyat]

My use of 'braver' doesn't refer to bravery as opposed to cowardice. It refers to being more daring. Generally, they manage to get a few police, or a pickup truck with some not-very-well trained conscripts in it. The bomb disposal guys seem to me like they are the top of the heap and should be harder to get.

It seems that either they (insurgents) got lucky, they are getting better at what they do or the gov't is getting careless. The last one shouldn't be happening because there's enough activity that everyone needs to be on their toes.

The recent Yala bomb was actually much easier than some of their very elaborate ambushes against military involving multiple bombs and shootings, such as planting a small device to lure in security personal, and than ambush the squad coming to aid.

Most such bomb attacks have secondary devices. Most of the time they are defused in time, but...

The are not just ambushing ill trained conscripts, but also one incident in public knowledge (there are far more unreported incidents) saw a whole squad of special forces killed, and another a whole squad of rangers killed. There are numerous other incidents, such as daring ambushes and concerted multiple attacks in the whole region that shows clearly that this is from the beginning (and that is long before Thaksin came to power) a very sophisticated insurgency.

You should not judge the insurgency by what is reported in the media alone. Only a fraction of what is going on down there is actually reported. The insurgency is usually seen by veterans of the communist insurgency as far more sophisticated in tactics and strategy than the communist insurgency of the 70s and 80s.

[Scott]

Thanks Colpyat. Actually I try not to be too judgemental. The information that I, and most others, comes from the media. Many times I suspect it of being biased, but it's only by posting something that people like yourself (and Moderators like Jai Dee), are able to fill in the gaps.

My interest in the Southern situation tends to be more academic than personal. I am not directly affected by the southern situation, but I have lived/worked in several war/conflict zones. I know how these things can change and spread.

If people aren't well informed, bad decisions are made and then a lot more people may be making posts because they are personally affected.

Thanks for the input.

[Jai Dee]

There was an interesting article published by Time yesterday on the subject, titled "Thailand's Endless Woe".

You can read it here.

[Scott]

Thanks, Jai Dee, helpful and informative. It's nice to read an outside perspective on the situation once in a while.

[Jai Dee]

Army Chief urge troops to create cooperation among southern residents

The Commander in Chief of the Army (ผบ.ทบ.) urged troops in the southern border provinces to create cooperation among local residents in order to bring peace to the region.

At 9:00 AM today (July 20) Army Commander in Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญรัตนกลิน ) and Fourth Army Area Commander Lt Gen Wirote Buachamroon (วิโรชน์ บัวจรูญ) traveled to the 22nd Special Task Force Command in Panare (ปะนาเระ) district of Pattani province to deliver policy to local troops. Gen Sonthi said that troops should attempt to create cooperation and understanding among local residents in order to persuade local communitie to ally themselves with authorities.

Gen Sonthi said that if local residents aided authorities in monitoring for insurgent activities, insurgent elements will find themselves without support and will be more easily dealt with. The Army Commander in Chief reiterated that efforts would be made to obstruct the work of insurgents and to limit their freedom.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Army Chief reports satisfactory work in combating southern insurgency

The Army Commander in Chief and Chairman of the Council for National Security reports that efforts to solve the southern insurgency have been mostly satisfactory.

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญยรัตนกลิน) conducted a visit to operational units in the three southern border provinces in order to urge special task forces in certain areas to improve their efficiency. The CNS Chairman said that the work of southern personnel have been mostly satisfactory. He revealed that authorities will now be directing their attention to areas with harsh terrain such as Bannang Sata (บันนังสตา) district in order to conduct full suppression of insurgent elements.

The Army Commander in Chief revealed that procurement of devices to jam cellular signals is currently underway in order to provide authorities with more tools to combat insurgents. Gen Sonthi added that authorities are currently focused on dealing with southern protesters, and insurgent members.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 July 2007

[rychrde]

This week a lad from our village has been told he is to be posted to the south. [i've almost stopped asking his family connection as I've figured the village has only 2 or 3 families at best!]

Anyway, his parting goodbye to his mother was, "Assume I am already dead."

I asked why he doesn't quit. the first reply was that he can't, which I assume he can. The second, was that he would lose face.

rych