Darfur Mission For Respected Thai Peacekeepers

[webfact]

Darfur mission for respected Thai peacekeepers

By THE NATION

800-strong force to start deploying in late July

BANGKOK: -- Known for their hospitality and efficiency during a mission in East Timor a few years ago, Thai peacekeepers will be heading next for Darfur in July.

Thailand is the only Asian country selected by the United Nations for the one-year mission, and is the third in command in the multinational force comprising mainly Nigerians, mission commander Maj-General Jerdwuth Kraprayoon said last week.

The Thai force consisting of 800 soldiers, marines and airmen will begin training next month at the Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri. The courses will prepare them for a different climate - the main physical challenge to the Thai soldiers apart from logistics problems due to poor transport infrastructure.

The Cabinet recently approved the formation of the Thai-Darfur Taskforce 980 to carry out duties in Sudan in two shifts.

The first 350-member contingent comprising three infantry companies and one company of combat engineers will depart Thailand in late July to build a base there.

The second 400-strong contingent comprising soldiers, marines and airmen along with a squad of 20 V-150 Commando armoured personnel carriers and Humvee trucks will follow, departing in late September.

The training also includes basic English-language tutorials, as local interpreters will be provided by the UN. English is the official and main language used in Sudan, where more than 600 tribes speak numerous languages.

The vehicles and equipment will be shipped from Thailand to Sudan 30 days before the troops' departure on chartered flights beginning in July.

The Thai troops' main responsibilities are to provide security in designated areas as well as protection to UN officials who will provide food assistance and work on peace deals among warring factions in Sudan.

The civil war there has been going on for more than six years, killing more than 2 million people and displacing another 2 million.

Lt-Colonel Narong Suankaew, commander of Thai-Darfur Taskforce 980, said it was an honour to serve as the force commander, both as a representative of Thailand and an agent for humanitarian aid.

The Thai troops have undergone training in Thailand at several locations similar to Darfur's landscape to get them used to high temperatures, which reach 50 degrees Celsius during the day, and limited rations of water. One course requires soldiers to walk in hot sand barefoot. English, Arabic and a local language are taught to soldiers at various levels of command.

Each soldier is paid US$1,000 (Bt32,750) a month, plus an allowance. Thai authorities will advance the money and be compensated later by the UN. Narong said his family was used to him going out on lengthy assignments, including the Timor mission he was a part of and his routine postings in the deep South.

Captain Amphol Srina, commander of a motorised infantry company, said he was excited at being part of the Darfur mission and was sure it was a dream mission for many task-force members.

"I believe everyone is 100 per cent morally fit for the mission. Our mission allows us a chance to show off the Thai national flag to the multinational force," he said.

The government agencies involved in the Darfur operation are the ministries of Interior, Public Health, Agriculture and Commerce.

If or when a chance is open under the UN civilian development framework, His Majesty the King's sufficiency-economy model will also be promoted to small businesses and farmers in Sudan, Jerdwuth said.

-- The Nation 2010-03-07

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[jonclark]

Good luck to them - hope they make a difference and have a successful mission