No End In Sight As South Thai Rebellion Enters Fifth Year

[papajohn]

followed by another bombing...

Insurgents bomb railway in Thai South

BANGKOK -- Thai southernmost insurgents on Saturday morning triggered a huge bomb installed along a main railway in Narathiwat Province, causing the halt of southern rail service. One railway inspector was also injured, local radio said.

The insurgents hidden nearby triggered the bomb by mobile phone signal while six railway inspectors were checking facilities along the railway at about 7 a.m. (0000 GMT).

An 18-year-old inspector was injured on his chest and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Local railway service halted immediately after the bombing. Local railway officials said workers were rushing to repair the railway and the service could be restored in two hours.

Thailand's three southernmost provinces -- Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani -- have been troubled with insurgency-related violence which has claimed more than 3,500 lives since it resumed in early 2004.

- China Daily / 2008-08-16

This is in the China Daily, the impact of TATs push to draw the

Chinese tourist has been severley damaged now. The Muslim terrorists

have again made a major victory. Its economics, strike fear into people

and they will stay home or go somewhere else. When people read about terrorism they see Thailand ! They do not see South or North or East or West. They only see Muslim terrorist bombings and killings in Thailand. The terrorists are destroying the tourism base, that is the

stratagy. The tactics we read about everyday. This lovely country of

peaceful people is under seige from Religious fanatics who are brainwashed from childhood to kill anyone who is not a follower of Islam. What kind of religion is that ? I welcome any other POV. I am so sad for Thailand, please help me to understand the reason for the bombings and burnings of schools, the killings of teachers and schoolchildren, the murders of families on motorbikes on their way to work in the rice fields or rubber farms. Does your Allah have no heart, no compassion, if so, your religion is based on hatred and anger. Do you people not have a brain to understand the pain of your victums?

Are you so heartless that you can live with the misery that your Religion has brought upon the world. It's up to you as a people to get control of your leaders !!! Are you robots or people with a heart, mind

and soul ? I can only guess.

[sriracha john]

whenever the news slips away from the South for even a couple days... the inevitable...

Two explosions in Narathiwat kill one reporter and injure 20

The first explosion happened in front of a restaurant near Sungai Kolok police station, destroying motorcycles and vehicles parked nearby.

Two explosion in Narathiwat killed a newspaper journalist and injured many others.

The blast draw police, officials and reporters to the scene.

Shortly after, the second bomb went off at a nearby area, killing a reporter of mass circulation newspaper; Thai Rath, instantly and seriously injured Padung Wannaluck, a tv reporter of Channel 9.

Police identified the victim as Charlee Boonsawat.

The blast injured 20 others, mostly men and senior provincial officials.

- The Nation (today)

[Scott]

Thanks for the update SJ. I watch the thread and about the only good news seems to be when it starts slipping down the list on the forum topics, but your right, it doesn't get too far before something puts it back up there.

Getting journalists is fairly high profile and assures they will get the attention they are craving. It's difficult for the authorities to put a good 'spin' on this event.

It could be an interesting Ramadan.

[sriracha john]

Thanks for the update SJ. I watch the thread and about the only good news seems to be when it starts slipping down the list on the forum topics, but your right, it doesn't get too far before something puts it back up there.

Getting journalists is fairly high profile and assures they will get the attention they are craving. It's difficult for the authorities to put a good 'spin' on this event.

It could be an interesting Ramadan.

It certainly generates international attention amongst other journalists...

Thailand: Police: Bomb Kills Journalist In Southern Thailand

BANGKOK, THAILAND: A reporter was killed and at least 20 other people wounded when a bomb exploded Thursday night in Thailand's southern border town of Sungai Golok, police said.

The bomb, hidden in a car, was detonated after police, reporters, and onlookers were lured to the scene by an earlier smaller bomb on a motorcycle that exploded without hurting anyone, according to police officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release the information.

The tactic is a common one in bombings in the south, where the blasts are usually attributed to Muslim separatists who have been carrying out an insurgency against the government for almost four years.

The reporter who was killed worked for the country's biggest newspaper, Thai Rath, said Thai TV Channel 9, whose own reporter was also seriously injured. Also among the wounded, who included civilians, was the town's police chief, police said.

The bomb on the motorcycle, which was parked across from a restaurant, exploded at about 9:30pm (1430 GMT), and the car bomb about 20 minutes later.

More than 3,000 people have been killed in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces since early 2004, when a separatist movement flared after a lull of more than two decades.

The government has made little progress in curbing the violence despite the presence in the south of nearly 40,000 police and soldiers. Drive-by shootings and bombings occur almost daily.

More than 90% of Thailand's 65 million people are Buddhists, and many of the country's Muslims have long complained that they are treated as second-class citizens.

The southern Thais are the same ethnicity as Malays across the border in Malaysia and share the same religion, culture, food and language.

- Associated Press / Aug. 22, 2008

Edited August 22, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

The Nation has updated their article.... with a higher toll....

Two explosions in Narathiwat kill one reporter and injure 32

A newspaper reporter was killed while 32 others, including the district police chief and a television journalist, were injured when insurgents detonated two bombs in front of the Sungai Golok police station Thursday night.

Charlee Boonsawat, a reporter of the Thai Rath newspaper, died on the spot when he was at the scene of the first bomb blast. The blast, happened at about 9.30pm, drew officials, reporters and police to the scene. The first bomb did not cause any injuries.

As police and soldiers were cordoning the area, the second bomb exploded. Among the injured, five were seriously injured.

Sungai Golok Police Chief Col Prabpal Meemongkol was among the injured but his condition was not serious.

Others injured included a reporter from the Channel 9 television station, as well as police and soldiers. The first bomb was planted on a motorcycle while the second was triggered nearby.

Charlee, the slain Thai Rath reporter, had survived several bomb blasts in the past.

Security was intensified in Narathiwat and nearby provinces including Songkhla.

- The Nation / today

Edited August 22, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

One of the injured has died...

Two dead, 31 wounded in Sungai Kolok bombing

NARATHIWAT, Aug 22 (TNA) - Two men died and over 30 others were wounded in a bomb trap incident near the police headquarters in the busy Thai-Malaysian border crossing town of Sungai Kolok late Thursday night.

A journalist from Thai Rath newspaper was killed instantly at the scene and a rescue worker, Chakkrit Chalad-anyakij, died in hospital, and at least two others are in critical condition, including the Police Superintendent of Sungai Kolok and a Thai News Agency-Modernine TV reporter.

There were no casualties from the first bomb, built into the body of a motorcycle parked in front of the See Som Restaurant opposite the police station. The remote-controlled blast drew police officers, local government officials, and reporters to the scene, where a second, far-larger bomb hidden in a car parked nearby, was set off by remote control.

Thai Rath reporter Chalee Bonsawat and rescue worker Charkrit Chaladanyakij are dead, while Pol. Col. Prapan Meemongkol and TNA stringer Padung Wannarak are in critical condition.

Five people who were most seriously injured in the bombing were evacuated from Sungai Kolok Hospital to Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Hospital which has more modern medical equipment.

The substantial blast affected nearby business premises including a bank, and shops, and well as many vehicles parked nearby.

Initial bombings designed to attract an inspection response from the authorities have been used to deadly affect in Thailand's ill-defined insurgency.

Over 3,500 persons have died in the southern violence since 2004.

[sriracha john]

If this is all that remains of a car... this was no firecracker...

Officials inspect the wreckage of a car after a bomb explosion in Thailand's largely Muslim province of Sungai Kolok, south of Bangkok August 22, 2008. A car bomb exploded on Thursday in a town in southern Thailand that has been a target of insurgent attacks, killing a journalist and wounding 30 government officials and shoppers, security officials said.

REUTERS

Edited August 22, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

* * * WARNING - CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES * * *

News Video of the blast scene that killed 2 and injured 31:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/n...s&cateid=13

[sriracha john]

Deceased Thai Rath reporter Chalee Bonsawat...

[sriracha john]

Chetta Thanajaro (being wai'ed)

Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party Leader Celebrates Quiet 70th Birthday

The Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party Leader's 70th birthday was celebrated quietly today. However, he was not disappointed and claims that violence in the South will be resolved as there are now fewer deaths. *see thread for verification*

Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader and former Defense Minister [and also Minister of Science and Technology, both in Thaksin's Cabinets], General Chetta Thanajaro says regarding the situation in the South and the latest bombing in Sungai-Kolok, which killed a reporter and injured a number of people, that it will take time to solve the problems in the south.

He said the earlier announcement of a ceasefire among southern militant groups, which he reportedly helped broker, shows the situation may be resolved in a peaceful manner. Chetta feels they do not need to take responsibility as the troops did not declare that they would make total peace.

He insists that he is not deceiving anyone or failing at handling the situation, and he feels the situation in the South is improving, as there are fewer deaths than before. *uhmm... if you say so* He says he would like to have a part in ending the problems in the South through domestic and international negotiations.

Chetta celebrated his 70th birthday at the Army Club at Thewes in a quiet atmosphere. Only close military officers came to wish him well and there were no signs of any Party Leaders or Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party members.

However, General Chetta said he is not disappointed that few people visited him on his birthday compared to other political party leaders. *I believe the word is "shunned"* He still thinks taking the political path was a good choice, as it enables him to devote himself to the country since his retirement.

Regarding ousted Premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife seeking asylum abroad, he says whether it will make the political situation better or worse depends on Thai politicians.

As for the PAD's request for Thaksin's extradition from the U.K., he says the issue should be resolved through the law. However, he admitted that Thaksin's asylum-seeking will affect whether the government can remain in power, as this is a political issue.

He said the members of Parliament have an impact on this too. If the PM does not dissolve Parliament or resign, the government can stay. He says the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party is prepared for whatever will happen.

- Thailand Outlook / today

=============================================

He was the subject of this disastrous stunt:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Southern-Ins...28.html&hl=

Southern Insurgents Announce Ceasefire, Chetta claims insurgents will end operations

[Scott]

I think I heard or read that a 2nd person had died as a result of the bombing. It also sounds like the police or military didn't secure the first blast properly and allowed people into the area who were then killed and injured by the 2nd blast. Some things just aren't mai pen lai.

[sriracha john]

I think I heard or read that a 2nd person had died as a result of the bombing. It also sounds like the police or military didn't secure the first blast properly and allowed people into the area who were then killed and injured by the 2nd blast. Some things just aren't mai pen lai.

yes, Posts #426 and #428

[sriracha john]

Yet another teacher included, Scott...

Southern violence: Three people shot dead in Yala

YALA, Aug 24 (TNA) – Three persons, two women and a man, were killed early Sunday in continuing violence assumed related to Thailand's ongoing insurgency in this southernmost province.

Teacher Suwannee Salae, 32, and her sister Sunisa Salae, were gunned down as they were riding a motorcycle in Raman district Sunday morning.

In another shooting incident, 37-year-old rubber plantation worker Sama-ae Jema was gunned down in the same district.

Since early 2004 when insurgent-violence erupted some 3500 people have died violently here.

[Scott]

Thanks SJ. I have a colleague (a Thai Teacher) whose wife is a teacher in the South. She sort of got 'drafted' into service down there. Apparently she gets paid quite well, but I know her husband is very nervous about her working down there.

[sriracha john]

Thanks SJ. I have a colleague (a Thai Teacher) whose wife is a teacher in the South. She sort of got 'drafted' into service down there. Apparently she gets paid quite well, but I know her husband is very nervous about her working down there.

and rightfully he should be... there's a very good reason they are paid extra "hazardous duty pay." Best of luck to them both.

Edited August 25, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Following the shootings are the bombings...

Bomb explosion injures six soldiers in Narathiwat

Narathiwat - Six soldiers sustained minor injuries when insurgents detonated a bomb near a school here Monday. The explosion occurred at 9.30am at the Ban Bang Khunthong School in Tak Bai. Police said the bomb exploded when the soldiers, who escort teachers to schools, rested inside the school compound. The bomb was buried near where they sat and was detonated with a mobile phone.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

One of yesterday's three victims....

Thai Muslim villagers carry a body of a teacher to a hospital in Thailand's Yala province, August 24, 2008. The teacher and her sister were shot dead by suspected Muslim militants while riding a motorcycle to central Yala province, police said.

Reuters

[gymshark]

I sympathise with these people, we grew up with the same stuff from the IRA, no one ever thought these A holes would get back in their box but now there is peace. I hope the South can find it but I think the muslim problem will not go away by itself sadly. As long as we have brave soldiers to keep fighting the good fight maybe just maybe we can win.

[sriracha john]

unclear whether it was 3 or 5, but either way, a sadder turn of events for a sad event...

5 killed when Thai Rath reporters' vehicle overturns in Narathiwat

A vehicle of Thai Rath Newspaper reporters, to join a funeral of their colleague Chalee Boonsawat, overturned in Narathiwat's Yingor district on Tuesday.

Three people reportedly died in this accident.

The group was on the way to join a Royal-sponsored cremation ceremony for Chalee, who died in the August 21 car bomb attack in Sungai Kolok district.

- The Nation / Aug. 26, 2008

Edited August 26, 2008 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

Journalists killed on way to cremation

Van carrying 10 journalists lost control, overturned, caught on fire

Five journalists were killed and five others injured in a road accident in Narathiwat yesterday while driving to attend the cremation ceremony of Chalee Boonsawat, a Thai Rath newspaper reporter who was killed in bomb blasts on Thursday. Police said a van carrying the 10 passengers on Phetkasem road lost control, slammed into a tree and overturned, before catching fire.

Five passengers were rescued by an emergency response team, but the rest died in the flames.

The dead were identified as Sumonrat Wiriyakul, a deputy news chief of Thai Rath, Nattapong Saengkaew, a Thai Rath reporter in Trang, Tuanthong Sukmuang, a Thai Rath reporter in Phuket, Sukjai Jittakarn, a reporter for Thai Rath in Songkhla, and Thepnarong Wiriyakul, a director of the Thai Laemthong daily newspaper.

Injured were Thai Rath reporters Premchai Chaitaweewong and Bannarak Jiewnantsawat, as well as Kanokwan Promthong, Fong Srichai and Pramote Kultalawachira.

All five were taken to Princess of Narathiwat hospital. Doctors said they were all in a stable condition.

Police said the group left Songkhla's Hat Yai district in a rented van to attend a royally-sponsored cremation ceremony for Chalee in Narathiwat.

Chalee and a rescue worker were killed in two bomb blasts at a restaurant in Sungai Kolok district on the night of Aug 21.

The explosions wounded 33 other people.

An initial police investigation points to a burst front tyre as the likely cause of the crash, which caused two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks on the vehicle to explode and set the vehicle on fire.

Public Health Ministry deputy permanent secretary Pipat Yingseri yesterday visited the five survivors.

Doctors said Mr Pramote, Mr Bannarak, and Ms Kanokwan would be moved to Prince of Songkla hospital.

In Yala, a bomb exploded in a roadside shelter in Raman district yesterday morning. No casualties were reported.

Police believe the bomb was meant to explode as a teacher escort team took a rest in the shelter.

On Monday night, a villager was shot dead by four gunmen at a teashop in Raman district.

Source: AsiaMedia - 27 August 2008

[Scott]

My condolences to the friends, families and colleagues of the dead. Very sad.

I wonder if the LPG tanks were properly installed.

[papajohn]

I find it interesting that there has been no reporting on the Muslim terrorists for a week now. By killing a bunch of reporters they have

won again. Wake up people!!! Fear is their best weapon!!!

[Scott]

Well, it seems that they are back in the news. This morning there was something in the paper about a headless body. I am sure SJ or someone will post the link (I am a complete technotwit).

It would be interesting to know if this is because of a lack of things happening or because of the PPP/PAD stuff going on.

[sriracha john]

I find it interesting that there has been no reporting on the Muslim terrorists for a week now.

In my case, it only reflects the over-whelming amount of coverage during that time of other events in Thailand. The carnage has NOT abated over the past week and I would like to take this opportunity to encourage ANYONE to post updates on this issue as they occur.

Insurgents steal head of decapitated victim

A community leader was decapitated after he was shot dead in Pattani's Yarang district yesterday morning. Atthapol Konlom , 26, assistant chief to Sadawa tambon administration organisation in Yarang district, was ambushed in front of Ebu school in the same district at around 10am. After the killing, the attackers dragged him from his pick-up truck before beheading him. They fled on motorcycles with the victim's head, said police. In Yala, a ranger volunteer was killed and another wounded when a group of unknown armed men attacked their base in the compound of Banglang school in Bannang Sata district on Monday night. The fleeing attackers threw spikes on the road to delay police pursuit. The dead ranger was identified as Rusadee Da-or, 21, and the wounded volunteer was Veera Saengchan, 31. Police yesterday inspected the scene of the attack and found several weapons had been taken by the attackers. The stolen items included six AK-47 assault rifles, one M-16 assault rifle, one 9 mm pistol, four bulletproof vests, and at least 600 rounds of ammunition. About 50 attackers were believed to have carried out the assault on the base.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/100908_News/10Sep2008_news07.php

[TAWP]

Great, raids by large group of men to increase their level of gear... with a little bit of luck they become so big that they have to set up their own camps (cannot hide at relatives) and the chance a successful raid by a airplane takes them out increases...

[sriracha john]

Defence volunteer driver shot dead in school escort vehicle

NARATHIWAT, Sept 10 (TNA) - A defence volunteer was shot dead while he was driving students to school in the violence-plagued province of Narathiwat on Wednesday.

Jeasae Dasae, 44, was shot by a gunman on a motorcycle when he stopped his vehicle, waiting for more students, to drive them to school.

The attack took place about 200 meters away from Kalisa School in Rangae district.

About 10 students in the pick-up truck screamed when they saw the shooting taking place. The gunman escaped and the victim was pronounced dead at hospital.

==============================================================

Southern insurgents shot dead a pick-up driver who was taking students to a school in Narathiwat on Wednesday morning.

Bangkok Post

[Scott]

Another sad incident in which numerous children will be traumatized.

[sriracha john]

Today's bombing... and once again, school-related...

Three police motorbikes lie on a street at the site of an explosion in south Thailand's Naratiwat province September 12, 2008. A remote-controlled bomb exploded in Thailand's predominately Muslim deep south on Friday, killing a suspected bomber and wounding four policemen, police said. The police officers were escorting a group of teachers home when the 5-kg bomb exploded on a road in Narathiwat, one of the four provinces where more than 3,100 people have been killed in four years of violence.

REUTERS

Armoured personnel carriers move through the streets of south Thailand's Naratiwat province September 12, 2008. A remote-controlled bomb exploded in Thailand's predominately Muslim deep south on Friday, killing a suspected bomber and wounding four policemen, police said. The police officers were escorting a group of teachers home when the 5-kg bomb exploded on a road in Narathiwat, one of the four provinces where more than 3,100 people have been killed in four years of violence.

REUTERS

[sriracha john]

3 paramilitary troopers and 5 soldiers injured in 2 ambushes in Yala

Yala - Three paramilitary troopers and five soldiers were injured in two ambushes in this southern border province Monday morning, police said.

Police said 3 soldiers were injured in an ambush on the Yaha-Patae Road in Siro village of Tambon Patae in Yaha district at about 11:40 am. Police said the team of paramilitary trooper was heading to a scene where a patrol unit of soldiers was ambushed earlier in the day, but no one was injured in the first ambush. The paramilitary troopers were ambushed when they came close to the first shooting scene. They exchanged gunfire with insurgents for about 10 minutes.

The second ambush took place in Yala's Muang district at about 11:50 am on Yala-Banang Sata Road in Moo 1 village. Police said the unit of soldiers was patrolling the road when insurgents detonated a bomb to ambush the soldiers. The two sides exchanged gunfire for about ten minutes. Five soldiers were injured in the clash.

- The Nation / 2008-09-15

[Scott]

More sad news for the folks in the South. I am wondering how the current gov't impasse is ultimately going to affect the southern region. I noted that Cambodia is requesting Thailand to relinquish it's chairmanship of ASEAN because of the political turmoil. The Southern situation certainly requires more and quicker attention than ASEAN.