Teachers With Guns

[sriracha john]

Some secondary gain to having a handgun for personal protection by teachers is, "Did you finish your homework, punk?"

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand plans to help teachers buy cheap guns in restive southern provinces, where schools have been attacked since an Islamic insurgency broke out 18 months ago.

Rung Kaewdaeng, the deputy education minister, told Thai newspapers that authorities want to find cheap, second-gun guns that would be affordable for teachers.

"If the Education Ministry helps them by finding cheap, used and workable guns, it will be very good," Rung told the Bangkok Post.

The government would inspect the weapons, distribute catalogs of weapons to teachers and help transfer licenses, he said.

How about a little training also on proper handgun usage?

At least 21 teachers and other school staff have been killed since January 2004, when the unrest in the mainly Muslim south began with a raid on an army weapons depot. Several schools have suffered arson attacks, and teachers travel to and from class with armed escorts.

On Friday a Buddhist school principal was shot dead in Narathiwat province, making her one of the few women targetted in the violence.

Violence in the region near the Malaysian border has dramatically escalated this month, include 10 beheadings or attempted beheadings, despite a spate of government-sponsored peace efforts.

More than 720 people have died in the unrest, which authorities and analysts describe as a volatile mix of separatists, smugglers and organized crime, as well as corrupt politicians and security forces.

Thailand announced plans this week to declare "violent zones" in the south where police and troops will hunt and kill insurgents.

[daleyboy]

I cant believe this They are teachers not policemen surely they should have armed security at the school instead of arming the teachers.

[The Nemi]

This is unbelieveable....they are not police men/women as daleyboy said. This is not a good solution according to me. As there are police escorts with the teachers....then still why the killing. I dont know abt this news much....sorry for that.

This shud be the last option which they are opting now.

Just my opinion.

[Tornado]

every good teacher should own a nice hand gun

[sriracha john]

I cant believe this       They are teachers not policemen surely they should have armed security at the school instead of arming the teachers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Many schools there DO have armed security. The Army also provides protection for them to travel to and from the school. Despite these steps, the killings continue unabated, including the school principal shot and killed, in front of students btw, mentioned in the original post. It's a tremendously appalling situation.... the solution provided by the government is ALSO of great concern. Anytime I read the plan is to "shoot and kill" I shudder at this scary scenario given the debacle of the 2003 slaughter of suspected drug users/dealers.

[Nordlys]

Many schools there DO have armed security. The Army also provides protection for them to travel to and from the school.

So the guns that are to be distributed to the teachers are supposed to be their last resort to self protection against the insurgency after the armed security and the army protecting them are gunned down??

Do they distribute bullet-proof vest as welll btw?

Edited June 26, 2005 by Nordlys

[sriracha john]

Many schools there DO have armed security. The Army also provides protection for them to travel to and from the school.

Do they distribute bullet-proof vest as welll btw?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well based on the Education Ministry wanting to provide, quote: cheap,

second-hand guns unquote, if they do provide bullet-proof vests, perhaps they'll be made from aluminum foil?

[daleyboy]

Many schools there DO have armed security. The Army also provides protection for them to travel to and from the school.

Do they distribute bullet-proof vest as welll btw?

Well based on the Education Ministry wanting to provide, quote: cheap,

second-hand guns unquote, if they do provide bullet-proof vests, perhaps they'll be made from aluminum foil?

Man what is this world coming too? Funny it always seems to be over religion, what a lame excuse i dont know of any religion that condones killing your fellow man

[sriracha john]

Many schools there DO have armed security. The Army also provides protection for them to travel to and from the school.

Do they distribute bullet-proof vest as welll btw?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well based on the Education Ministry wanting to provide, quote: cheap,

second-hand guns unquote, if they do provide bullet-proof vests, perhaps they'll be made from aluminum foil?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Man what is this world coming too? Funny it always seems to be over religion, what a lame excuse i dont know of any religion that condones killing your fellow man

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not convinced it's entirely over religion. There's issues in the South regarding separatism, economic opportunities, education, organized crime, etc.

The killings have involved people from both the major religions in the area. The many diverse issues at work have made the problem a very complex one... one that certainly won't improve with the "shoot and kill" mentality of the government.

As an update, the school, mentioned previously with the murdered school director, has closed and ALL the teachers have requested transfer.

[jackr]

I think we all know what the main problem is here.

[udon]

Thailand makes an excellent bullet proof vest from silk.......