Thailand To Launch Anti-Piracy Mission Off Somalia

[webfact]

Thailand to launch anti-piracy mission off Somalia

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand will send two naval vessels, including one warship, to join the fight against piracy in the lawless Gulf of Aden off Somalia, officials said Monday.

The Thai navy will deploy 371 personnel for the 98-day operation, starting in early September, said deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut.

An international armada has been patrolling the Gulf of Aden, one of the globe's busiest maritime trade routes, since 2008 in a bid to stop pirates from hijacking commercial vessels.

Several Thai vessels have been hijacked by Somali pirates, including three fishing boats with a total of 77 crew members aboard who were seized in April.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-08-16

[webfact]

Cabinet approves Navy's plan to deploy troops to fight pirates in Somalia's sea

The Cabinet Monday approved Bt270 million as an operation cost for the Royal Thai Navy to deploy 171 troops to fight against pirates off Somalia's coast.

Deputy Government Spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said the Cabinet approved the plan to deploy the troops on the 98-day mission from early September.

-- The Nation 2010-08-16

[webfact]

371-strong Thai naval unit to to counter Somali coastal piracy

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Cabinet on Monday resolved to send nearly four hundred Thai navy personnel to join the international naval force combating piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia.

The Cabinet resolution came as the Royal Thai Navy proposed to organise and send an anti-piracy unit with 371 Thai navy personnel to join the international operation in the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Somalia.

The 98-day mission will begin early September with Bt270 million (US$7.7 million) budget allocated for the joint operation.

The Gulf of Aden is located in the Arabian Sea between Yemen and Somalia. It connects with the Red Sea and it is part of the important Suez Canal shipping route with some 21,000 ships passing through annually.

Increasing piracy and armed robbery in the area has caused economic problems to many countries, especially those whose economies depend on maritime commerce.

Thai-flagged ships have been seized by Somali pirates several times. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-08-16

[chantorn]

A waste of my tax money.

[toenail]

I think this is a great idea..Thais have also been captured by these sea terrorists.

The USA has their hands full with Iraq and Afghanistan, so let some other countries get involved with this international problem with the pirates.

[Buchholz]

I think this is a great idea. Thais have also been captured by these sea terrorists.

Very much agreed. There is a significant interest in making the area as safe as possible. It is also good for the country's standing, which has been taking a battering. Excellent training opportunity, as well, for the Navy.

Good luck to them on their mission.

Edited August 16, 2010 by Buchholz

[tigermonkey]

Cabinet approves Navy's plan to deploy troops to fight pirates in Somalia's sea

The Cabinet Monday approved Bt270 million as an operation cost for the Royal Thai Navy to deploy 171 troops to fight against pirates off Somalia's coast.

Deputy Government Spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said the Cabinet approved the plan to deploy the troops on the 98-day mission from early September.

-- The Nation 2010-08-16

It's good to see Thailand taking part in something that the international community strongly supports. All too often Thailand ignores the rest of the world, as if it simply does not exist .

...but the usual vague, sloppy and inaccurate reporting in the articles :

" including one warship " -- what is the other --- a cruise ship ? Why would the navy send anything but a warship to fight the pirates? Perhaps it is a supply ship, but we will never know; even navy supply ships are warships.

-" to deploy 171 troops " -- where will they use troops in the ocesn ? Are these the now combat hardened troops from the Bangkok riots ? The earlier article mentions 371 navy personnel ( sailors, marines, etc ) but no mention of 171 troops .

Probably merely just the usual awful and inaccurate sloppy reporting --- or is the cruise ship for the 171 troops -- a little R & R after the rigors of Bangkok?

Edited August 16, 2010 by tigermonkey

[otherstuff1957]

The lawlessness in Somalia has been ignored by the rest of the world for far too long. It's good to see Thailand joining an international effort to keep the seas safe.

[Dah fahrang]

My, my! Dad's Army (Abhisit's military backed regime) really is flexing its muscle, isn't it?

First its Cambodia to be bullied/threatened.

Now its Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Now boys, think who's next? Just where can we send those expensive Swedish jet fighters when we get them?

[surangw]

how about the ships spraying some fuel on the pirates when they come along side. and let the pirates decide if they still want to "open fire" ?

[surangw]

how much ransom can the pirates get for two thai naval vessels?

[Eazy-Going]

Should start with the pirates on home soil first, namely our friends the BiB

[Hawk]

Should start with the pirates on home soil first, namely our friends the BiB

They aren't pirates there sharks.

[Buchholz]

*serious response to inane question deleted*

Edited August 16, 2010 by Buchholz

[Piengrudee]

Finally, our aircraft carrier can see some action like the US Marines. Did ours came equipped with Tom Cat, Cruise Missiles and Tom Cruise; like in Top gun? If our aircraft carrier don't have enough fire power, we can line up a row on broken Chinese tank (like the one thrown into the sea for corral last week), and shoot with it. I think the tank's gun is still operational.

[celtasia]

Finally, our aircraft carrier can see some action like the US Marines. Did ours came equipped with Tom Cat, Cruise Missiles and Tom Cruise; like in Top gun? If our aircraft carrier don't have enough fire power, we can line up a row on broken Chinese tank (like the one thrown into the sea for corral last week), and shoot with it. I think the tank's gun is still operational.

Well how about the Piracy on Sukumvite and Pantip plaza? You would think they would crack down at home first before going after African pirates. Oh but the boys in brown are not making money out of the Somali deals, so guess that is wishful thinking.

[Eazy-Going]

Finally, our aircraft carrier can see some action like the US Marines. Did ours came equipped with Tom Cat, Cruise Missiles and Tom Cruise; like in Top gun? If our aircraft carrier don't have enough fire power, we can line up a row on broken Chinese tank (like the one thrown into the sea for corral last week), and shoot with it. I think the tank's gun is still operational.

Well how about the Piracy on Sukumvite and Pantip plaza? You would think they would crack down at home first before going after African pirates. Oh but the boys in brown are not making money out of the Somali deals, so guess that is wishful thinking.

Careful my friend, you'll get the PC brigade shouting "rascist" at you if you carry on with these kind of posts.....