Thaksin admits failure in south

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government has failed to restore peace in the largely-Muslim south, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday as his deadline for ending months of violence expired.

Mr Thaksin had ordered security forces to go on the offensive last month to halt the killing of officials and police officers.

'The situation has not yet improved although security officials have become more pro-active in tackling the problem,' he said.

'Our opposition also has been more aggressive and they are recruiting new youths, indoctrinating them with separatism and religious ideologies.'

Deadly attacks on Buddhists and Muslims as well as police officers and soldiers have continued, taking to more than 250 the number of people killed since Jan 4.

Yesterday, a hospital employee driving home in Pattani province was killed in his car by a gunman riding pillion on a motorcycle, a typical attack by militants.

A few hours later, a village official was ambushed by men on a motorcycle while driving his truck to work, police said.

The government has alternately blamed bandits, criminal gangs, Muslim militants and anti-Western sentiment towards the Islamic world for the daily explosions and shootings in the region near the Malaysian border.

Despite sending thousands of troops to bolster security and promising millions of dollars in development aid, the government has failed to arrest a single mastermind of the violence so far.

But the army commander of the southern region, Lieutenant-Commander Pisan Wattanawongkeeree, said he would 'unmask' on Monday a list of masterminds, comprising people from different professions, and those who received overseas funding.

Meanwhile, 83 suspected Muslim militants turned themselves in yesterday at the governor's office in Narathiwat province and another 20 surrendered in neighbouring Songkhla.

So far, 137 people have surrendered since the army imposed a July 11 deadline for them to surrender or face a harsh crackdown, said army spokesman Arkhom Promkong.

-- Reuters, AP 2004-07-09

the government has failed to arrest a single mastermind of the violence so far.

the army commander of the southern region, Lieutenant-Commander Pisan Wattanawongkeeree

They had a mosque full with people who could have provided information about the masterminds, in true stupid Thai fashion they killed them all. We know the results, the daily killings continue and the government should be held accountable.

It's also interesting that dear leader's cousin is not in charge in the South...., not even a general is in charge...

I was working late on songkran eve when they said that they would raise the security level.

Imagine my surprise when driving back home to find that the cops at the police checkpoints knocked-off at 9 in the evening, here in Hatyai....... right next to all the problems.

They got to work harder than that.

Thaksin admits failure in south

Looking at it positively this is a first (when he admits failure)

That is however about the only thing that is positive as the situation is totally out of control.

If it's thought to be bad at the moment it's not gonna get any better any time soon.

I don't have the answers but then no one else has either it seems.

Maybe he's trying to focus public attention on the South, to divert it away from his failure to clean up drugs in LOS, buy a single share in Liverpool FC and control bird flu.

But yeah, granted admission of failure is a rare event amongst the exalted few, but is often not what they actually said, but a (mis)interpretation by the press.

But the army commander of the southern region, Lieutenant-Commander Pisan Wattanawongkeeree, said he would 'unmask' on Monday a list of masterminds,

Stupid as usual but very Thai, deadlines and threats take place on a weekly basis and nothing happens.

More interesting, Thailand has over 700 generals and a lieutenant commander is the commandor down south.

What are all the generals in Thailand doing apart from making money...?

in true stupid Thai fashion

pity you having to endure all this

why can't the thais learn just a little bit how the brit/us's clever way in Iraq is?

Only way to stop these animals is kill them

Only way to stop these animals is kill them

It might be easier to teach lions or tigers to live in the same house. But these animals, they just live to want trouble. Really not much can be done other than making them disappear in the air.

Only way to stop these animals is kill them

It might be easier to teach lions or tigers to live in the same house. But these animals, they just live to want trouble. Really not much can be done other than making them disappear in the air.

So bad, but so true.

Only one way.

When every will understand no have any other choice ?

Thaksin admits failure in south

.....Despite sending thousands of troops to bolster security and promising millions of dollars in development aid, the government has failed to arrest a single mastermind of the violence so far.

I am not surprised to read this.

QUOTE (Nam Kao @ Sat 2004-07-10, 23:04:26)

Only way to stop these animals is kill them

Sounds like a peace offer from Israel.....

meemiathai Posted on Sat 2004-07-10, 15:45:20

why can't the thais learn just a little bit how the brit/us's clever way in Iraq is?

Clever way? Is this a joke?

'The situation has not yet improved although security officials have become more pro-active in tackling the problem,' he said.-- Reuters, AP 2004-07-09

Remembers me to American comments about the situation during Vietnam War.

I am worried about the future .......