Call For Witness

[Pierrot]

In the thread "Thai Troops Enter Cambodia", pages 4-5 http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Troops-...ia-t200229.html

there is picture of weird military looking people. Could TV members with some background/ knowledge in the military give their opinion.

[Boater]

thats a very old thread!, what picture where you referring to , as there are many

[Pierrot]

Unless there is a problem with my link, the thread is only two days old and the pictures were posted today.

Some people seem to think that the military on the Thai side are actually mercenaries. As most of us don't really have any military knowledge / background, I just wanted to get the opinion of more knowledgeable people.

If the link doesn't work, it should be within the 5 first threads in the "news" section

[Farma]

I’ve often wondered who wears the black uniforms. I knew a friend of the family in the mid 80’s who wore such a uniform. Most of his time away as spent living rough in the jungle.

I could never figure out what his actual job was but heard many a story about his exploits guarding refugee camps along the border. Some of those stories involved bounties he would receive for dead communists. He also mentioned he had been issued an M16 but sold that once he obtained an AK47 from one of his targets.

[Pierrot]

I just pasted the pictures here so you won't have to look for the other thread.

The question is : Who are these people?

[bangkokrick]

I just pasted the pictures here so you won't have to look for the other thread.

The question is : Who are these people?

I just asked my wife who is from Khun khan, Si sa ket which is not far from the temple in fact we visited it earlier this year. She says that these are special forces who are experts in jungle survival and mainly work around the border area. (purple scarf)

The Thai phonetic word for the soldiers is : 'Ta han praan'. Maybe one of the Thai language can literally translate this because my missus is struggling.

Cheers, Rick

[Farma]

That would tie in with some of the stories I heard and what I noticed from that guy in the 80’s.

He would arrive back in the village all dirty carrying his AK47 and sometimes with grenades still in his backpack. This was a village in middle Issan and he was the only one who could speak Khmer. He would talk about Khmen Dang and how he would lie in ambush for days on end waiting for them to walk past.

He wouldn’t use soap or drink Lao Kow for a few days before heading back as he said it was easily detected in the jungle. For those last days on leave rather than drink the local hooch he smoked the dried heads of Ganga he carried in his trouser leg side pockets. It was a natural smell of the jungle or so he said.

[samran]

I just pasted the pictures here so you won't have to look for the other thread.

The question is : Who are these people?

From what I've read in the press, they are special forces...

And from what I've been told by one or two people who have run training excersises with them, they aren't half bad....

[pampal]

They certainly look like they know their business

[stumonster]

They certainly look like they know their business

it is their late model weaponry and attitude that shows you this ?

[bangkokrick]

That would tie in with some of the stories I heard and what I noticed from that guy in the 80’s.

He would arrive back in the village all dirty carrying his AK47 and sometimes with grenades still in his backpack. This was a village in middle Issan and he was the only one who could speak Khmer. He would talk about Khmen Dang and how he would lie in ambush for days on end waiting for them to walk past.

He wouldn’t use soap or drink Lao Kow for a few days before heading back as he said it was easily detected in the jungle. For those last days on leave rather than drink the local hooch he smoked the dried heads of Ganga he carried in his trouser leg side pockets. It was a natural smell of the jungle or so he said.

He sounds like a real character Farma. Not the kind of guy that you would want to come accross in the jungle.

Cheers, Rick

[Pierrot]

He sounds like a real character Farma. Not the kind of guy that you would want to come accross in the jungle.

Cheers, Rick

Real character ? Probably so.

Regular army ? That's the question

[bangkokrick]

He sounds like a real character Farma. Not the kind of guy that you would want to come accross in the jungle.

Cheers, Rick

Real character ? Probably so.

Regular army ? That's the question

Special forces.

Cheers, Rick

[elkangorito]

Special Forces wearing "black clothing" in a jungle? I think not.

This is a stunt to "shock & awe" people.

Special Forces do not swagger around on public display with weaponry.

You've been watching too much television.

[bangkokrick]

Special Forces wearing "black clothing" in a jungle? I think not.

This is a stunt to "shock & awe" people.

Special Forces do not swagger around on public display with weaponry.

You've been watching too much television.

I dont watch television as i spend most of my time on TV. Most of the reliable media as described them as the Thai special forces or rangers. Who am i to argue.

Cheers, Rick

[mrt273nva]

They certainly look like they know their business

i like how on the third picture the man's shoulder strap is covering his sights on his M16. How can he aim? The gun is for show, and he isn't showing any proficient knowledge of his firearm by blocking his sight. Good luck to him. I hope he never sees battle. But I guess he could do like Rambo and shoot from the hip.

[elkangorito]

Special Forces wearing "black clothing" in a jungle? I think not.

This is a stunt to "shock & awe" people.

Special Forces do not swagger around on public display with weaponry.

You've been watching too much television.

I dont watch television as i spend most of my time on TV. Most of the reliable media as described them as the Thai special forces or rangers. Who am i to argue.

Cheers, Rick

Well, it's not arguable, as such. But being labelled "Special Forces" with their faces attached to this label, actually nullifies their "special force" abilities.

If they are "special forces", their faces are now well known throughout the world. They could be easily recognised. How "special" is that

Pic No 1 shows what looks like an L1A1 (SLR). In pic No 2, I can see an AK47. In pic No 3, it appears that all members are carrying M16's.

WOW! Must be Special Forces.

Edited July 17, 2008 by elkangorito

[bangkokrick]

Special Forces wearing "black clothing" in a jungle? I think not.

This is a stunt to "shock & awe" people.

Special Forces do not swagger around on public display with weaponry.

You've been watching too much television.

I dont watch television as i spend most of my time on TV. Most of the reliable media as described them as the Thai special forces or rangers. Who am i to argue.

Cheers, Rick

Well, it's not arguable, as such. But being labelled "Special Forces" with their faces attached to this label, actually nullifies their "special force" abilities.

If they are "special forces", their faces are now well known throughout the world. They could be easily recognised. How "special" is that

Pic No 1 shows what looks like an L1A1 (SLR). In pic No 2, I can see an AK47. In pic No 3, it appears that all members are carrying M16's.

WOW! Must be Special Forces.

It depends on how you define special forces. If soldiers are trained to specialise in jungle warfare they are by definition 'special forces'. As for the weapons i have no idea about the types and capabilities of them as i dont come from a gun society. Thank god.

Special forces does not necessarily refer to an outfit like the SAS.

Cheers, Rick

[mrt273nva]

As for the weapons i have no idea about the types and capabilities of them as i dont come from a gun society.

Cheers, Rick

There have been many airsoft accidents in recent years. they have the ability to put an eye out.

[elkangorito]

Rick, they are not "special forces". They are simply meant to look "tough". Special Forces (as such) do not parade around in public. The SAS & the like may be deemed as special forces but only as an entity. The pics you see of purported SAS (& the like) people, may not actually be their pics.

[Nampeung]

Where did the pics come from?

[bangkokrick]

Rick, they are not "special forces". They are simply meant to look "tough". Special Forces (as such) do not parade around in public. The SAS & the like may be deemed as special forces but only as an entity. The pics you see of purported SAS (& the like) people, may not actually be their pics.

Ok if they are not special forces what are we going to call them for the sake of this thread?

I have friends that served with the SAS 'Special Air Service' and to me they are pretty special. London embassy seige etc.

Cheers, Rick

[mrt273nva]

Ok if they are not special forces what are we going to call them for the sake of this thread?

Cheers, Rick

pretend soldiers. dress up army men. halloween in thailand. extras from Rambo 4.

[elkangorito]

I suggest you call them "Thai military men wearing black clothing". Since there is no proof of their abilities plus they have been fully exposed to the public (& therefore to other governments), I see no reason to assume the ridiculous title of "special forces".

If I wore my W14's (navy work dress) in Thailand, I'm sure that they would think that I was Special Forces.

[Nampeung]

See Post 22 - the answer

[bangkokrick]

Ok if they are not special forces what are we going to call them for the sake of this thread?

Cheers, Rick

pretend soldiers. dress up army men. halloween in thailand. extras from Rambo 4.

Read post 23. I mentioned ' Dahan Praan in an earlier post but spelled it differently.

Cheers, Rick

[mrt273nva]

Wrong.

They are well known for their abilities in combat. Their history is recorded. A very good book was published on them - The boys in Black, by White Lotus.

General Chavalit was instrumental in founding these elite paramilitary forces, they idea goes back to US influence during the days of the communist insurgency.

then why do these elite forces tie their shoulder strap to their sights? it makes them look like idiots walking around like that. the word 'special' in this instance brings to mind something entirely different than what they are trying to convey.

[Maigo6]

I'm actually surprised that your post did not attract a massive input by all the Ex Special Services guys living in Thailand.

Cos we all believe everything we are told by fellow expats right ?

It's only the Thai's that are decietful and spin bullshit.

[elkangorito]

I suggest you call them "Thai military men wearing black clothing". Since there is no proof of their abilities plus they have been fully exposed to the public (& therefore to other governments), I see no reason to assume the ridiculous title of "special forces".

If I wore my W14's (navy work dress) in Thailand, I'm sure that they would think that I was Special Forces.

Wrong.

They are well known for their abilities in combat. Their history is recorded. A very good book was published on them - The boys in Black, by White Lotus.

General Chavalit was instrumental in founding these elite paramilitary forces, they idea goes back to US influence during the days of the communist insurgency.

I hope they are nothing like Thai electricians etc who do a shit job at the best of times.

Maybe you have military experience about these "boys in black"? If so, do reveal.

[elkangorito]

It just so happens that I do (fortunately or unfortunately) have military experience. Fortunately, I was not a member of "Special Forces" as such. Unfortunately, I did have to learn some nasty things....nothing to the extent the "Special Forces" must learn. Again & unfortunately, I know people who have done things that they regret doing. Nothing further shall be revealed about these people.

Press pics of guys dressed in black clothing does not tell anybody anything. Let me rephrase this...press pics of guys dressed in black clothing tells something to those who have watched lots of telly. Geez, give me a plastic weapon, makeup & take my photo.

The government want people like you because you believe everything that you see....without question.

Edited July 17, 2008 by elkangorito