Body Guards Yes - Guns No

[bdenner]

From ABC News ONLINE

Thai teachers to be given guns

By South East Asia correspondent Peter Lloyd

School teachers in Thailand's troubled southern provinces will be allowed to carry guns.

The move is one of a series of measures designed to keep education staff from leaving the region where an Islamic separatist insurgency has claimed around 800 lives.

Teachers have been frequent targets for attacks as they are seen as symbols of Thailand's Buddhist authorities.

At least 24 have been killed since the beginning of last year.

From now on, teachers will be provided with firearms, flak jackets and in some cases security escorts to and from work.

Almost 3,000 teachers are taking no chances and have asked for transfers out of the area.

The Thai Government says those who leave will be replaced by volunteers.

[fw1]

Think it's common knowledge that the current government is not very good at solving problems, expecially in the south of the country. This latest attempt is unlikely to help the situation. Can't see many teachers getting involved in gunfights somehow, and have they been trained to use these weapons I wonder?

Edited July 6, 2005 by fw1

[Teach]

From ABC News ONLINE

Thai teachers to be given guns

By South East Asia correspondent Peter Lloyd

School teachers in Thailand's troubled southern provinces will be allowed to carry guns.

The move is one of a series of measures designed to keep education staff from leaving the region where an Islamic separatist insurgency has claimed around 800 lives.

Teachers have been frequent targets for attacks as they are seen as symbols of Thailand's Buddhist authorities.

At least 24 have been killed since the beginning of last year.

From now on, teachers will be provided with firearms, flak jackets and in some cases security escorts to and from work.

Almost 3,000 teachers are taking no chances and have asked for transfers out of the area.

The Thai Government says those who leave will be replaced by volunteers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

.....and I suppose there will be no work permit problems!!!!!!!!! assuming the teachers will be non Thai's.

This is just the beginning, soon this could become a gun state. Definitely time to go then

T.

[Simpleton]

They're talking about Thai teachers here.

[Boon Mee]

Sounds like the folks in the south are getting their act more together than the Euros...

[moebius]

They're talking about Thai teachers here.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sure anyone who has spent any amount of time with firearms would be just a little uncertain about novices packing weapons.

I'd be a little uncertain as a teacher how I would explain to my students and/or fellow teachers why I prefer a Para PXT Spec Ops or a Tangfolio Compact to the government issue-what as my "travelling to school sidearm?" I'm sure that creates a dynamic learning atmosphere which will help the peace process.

duh... it's always someone who has never shot or been shot at who comes up with this crap.

[nick2k]

in the usa, during the cowboy days (wild west), everybody had guns. having a gun served as a deterent to being openly assaulted by others.

for sure, terrorists would be more wary of approaching people if they knew their intended victims had guns.

with guns, the teachers could form lookouts groups that could keep an eye out for danger.

instead of being shot down like dogs, it would be a more fair battle as I see it.

[moebius]

in the usa, during the cowboy days (wild west), everybody had guns.  having a gun served as a deterent to being openly assaulted by others.

for sure, terrorists would be more wary of approaching people if they knew their intended victims had guns.

with guns, the teachers could form lookouts groups that could keep an eye out for danger.

instead of being shot down like dogs, it would be a more fair battle as I see it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting comparison. But the end results against the 'terror' in the wild west were achieved by standards few governments would be willing to take these days.

To me, arming the populace to defend themselves creates the old situation of more guns begets more guns. The political faces in the south on both sides, while holding the keys to solutions, don't seem to have the courage to forge into the problem, invite outside participation, and give up power to attain workable peace. Instead they are promoting force at all levels and not succeeding in promoting communities to desire peace more than their fear in exposing their neighbours.

To pack a weapon while travelling or living in dangerous regions is always a struggle for those who desire a willing peace, who have no desire to kill anyone for any reason, and it is difficult to face the prospect of packing and having to shoot someone someday for anyone of conscience.

Unfortunately I think infusing a wild west mentality upon Thai society in the south would change everything about the area which makes it worth fighting for. The power and corruption of guns changes people and not all people understand this until they are forced to do things under circumstances which will change them - not always for the better.

Education is the greatest tool to battle these types of situations. Understanding law, morality, the nature of respect and how all falls under the benefit of law to the benefit of everyone is key to progress.

Of course you need the perception of fairness and good governance from those in position to do something about it...

So I guess that brings us back to:

The revolver is the most reliable, accurate, and easy to maintain personal firearm for the novice to carry. I'm sure the Thai government can acquire a good deal from US and other police service seized weapon storage departments without too much scandal.

[wolf5370]

I bet the kids will behave in class though

Kru: "Go ahead punk make my day"

[Gazza]

I bet the kids will behave in class though 

Kru: "Go ahead punk make my day"

Or

Kru: "You talkin' to me? You talkin' to ME?? I don't see anyone else? You talkin' to me?".