Thai Navy's Piracy Hunt Reflects A New World Image

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Navy's piracy hunt reflects a new world image

By The Nation

Kingdom's enthusiastic response to international call is commendable

'Similan' and 'Pattani', the two Thai warships, are joining international maritime task forces in the Gulf of Aden, infested by Somalian pirates. This is the first time the Royal Thai Navy has ventured so far away from its own country's coastal line. It used to be a common practice here that our warships would not operate elsewhere. They can only do so to protect Thai territorial waters or during wartime. Now the international community has called on Thailand to contribute troops to protect international shipping sea-lanes over there. It is commendable that we have accepted with enthusiasm.

The 380-strong contingent dispatched for the mission would have been inconceivable several years ago. Thailand was an inward looking country, engaging with the outside world very selectively. Indeed, we seldom take part in international endeavours if we do not see a direct benefit. Our overseas actions must be linked with national interests. That explains why Thailand sometimes acts so slowly in key foreign policy issues that affect the global community.

Normally, a Thai government would be unwilling to undertake such a dangerous assignment with other international peacekeepers. When the Chuan government decided to send Thai troops to join international peacekeeping in East Timor in 2000, it was grilled by Thai members of Parliament for endangering the troops. However, the government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is geared towards all-round cooperation with the UN and the international community. Thailand is currently chair of the UN Human Rights Council and is eyeing a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in 2016. Indeed, Thailand is trying to create within the country a new norm for internationalism.

The 60-day mission will allow Thai troops to learn and work with other nationalities taking part in the Gulf of Aden operation. This is something quite important. Their objective is to make sure the seas around the region are safe for international shipping. The Gulf is one of the world's most frequently used sealanes.

The Thai experience and teamwork with other peacekeepers will help Thailand cope with piracy problems plaguing the Andaman Sea as well as the Gulf of Thailand in the future. Other Asean countries are working together to deal with common piracy threats menacing their waters through the Straits of Malacca. Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have been cooperating since early this year to patrol jointly the potentially dangerous territorial waters. Obviously, this is part of broader joint maritime operations among countries in the region.

Of late, Thailand wishes to instil a healthier image of its armed forces, which have been most commonly in the past associated with political interference and enforcing coups. Thai armed forces are also keen to participate in peacekeeping operations throughout the world. Currently, about 800 Thai troops will soon be deployed in Darfur, Sudan to restore peace. Although it is quite a dangerous mission, the Thai troops are committed to international peace and security. Such global activities should be encouraged as they will benefit the Kingdom.

-- The Nation 2010-09-20

[mausplan]

The enthusiasm to join the international community would be commendable if the Thai house was in good order. There is a full scale war being waged inside this country which is being won by the bad guys -the insurgents. The casualty figures are horrific. Yesterdays brutal slaying of four elderly people was heart wrenching, to read about these poor people pleading for their lives and their neighbours listening and doing nothing. The only reason for their slaying, they belong to a different club,

The book "The War of the Running Dogs " by Noel Barber tells of the simple strategy used to defeat the Malay communists . Note that when I say defeat , it was almost perfect, the communist remnants escaped to Southern Thailand where their hatred festered for 50 years and has now been rebranded recently under a different banner but with the same aims. The successful strategy used by the British and Malay forces was simple, deny the enemy territory and space. Live in their back yard and don't let them rest , protect the local and isolate the bad guys and pick them off. The US used this in Iraq with the surge and were successfully

It seems all too logical that good police work would soon identify the unemployed youths with a bad attitude and yet always with enough money to buy food and services , repair vehicles , rent TV's ,. movies or whatever they do in between killing. It seems it would not be hard to find the patterns and it seems it would not be hard to completely project all the villages in one province if there is not enough troops to protect them all. It would seem to not be difficult to own the night ,meaning the bad guys cannot move without fear of being caught. It would seem that taking over the province would be safer than the keystone cops tactic of the poor soldier rushing to an attack site only to be blown up again and again

Maybe instead of another 100 APC's or Pirate Patrols , more boots on the ground in southern Thailand would be the answer.

BTW , Takkie was going to fix this in 30 days as they were only common bandits , remember !!!

[rfukata]

justification to their extra large military budget as well as deterring domestic problems with a 'new world image'

[Buchholz]

'Similan' and 'Pattani', the two Thai warships, are joining international maritime task forces in the Gulf of Aden

justification to their extra large military budget as well as deterring domestic problems with a 'new world image'

FYI, the Pattani was purchased during the Thaksin administration and the Similan dates back even further.

BTW, Good luck to the sailors of the Royal Thai Navy on this first-ever tasking and congratulations on the decision to join this very worthwhile cause.

[Suradit]

BTW, Good luck to the sailors of the Royal Thai Navy on this first-ever tasking and congratulations on the decision to join this very worthwhile cause.

Yes, best wishes to them and I hope they all return safely. I guess for some people it's just one more opportunity to bitch & moan . Of course here on TV, Thailand bashing is a 24/7 undertaking.

[Capealava]

"Yet another reason why generals buy weapons is because they can. The military still plays a central political role in many Southeast Asian countries. The obvious example is Burma, a military dictatorship where defense spending devours perhaps a third of its gross national product. Another example is the battered democracy of Thailand. Since 2006, when the military toppled an elected government, defense spending has more than doubled to $5.5 billion. It is tempting to see this as the price the current Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, must pay to ensure his generals' loyalty."

The Thai military is just showing off the new hardware they blackmailed out of Abhisit to protect him keep him and keep in power.

"Battered Democracy" is a understatement.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2019534,00.html#ixzz1028RwWvv

Edited September 20, 2010 by Capealava

[steve187]

Good luck to the sailors of the Royal Thai Navy, and may they do a good job of keeping the waters safe.

[Capealava]

BTW, Good luck to the sailors of the Royal Thai Navy on this first-ever tasking and congratulations on the decision to join this very worthwhile cause.

Yes, best wishes to them and I hope they all return safely. I guess for some people it's just one more opportunity to bitch & moan . Of course here on TV, Thailand bashing is a 24/7 undertaking.

They deserve every bit of the bashing. The naval venture may be worthwhile, but there more worthwhile causes on the home front, such as promoting democracy and not military political influence and power. If a government needs the military such as the now Ruling Democrats (sic) to keep them in power then there is no democracy or freedom.

[canuckamuck]

Well I am impressed that Thailand is acknowledging there is a world outside of their international waters. It's a start I guess. although a 60 day cruise is hardly a major commitment or undertaking. I hope they scuttle them scarvy pirates, rrrr harrrr matey!

[Buchholz]

"Yet another reason why generals buy weapons is because they can. The military still plays a central political role in many Southeast Asian countries. The obvious example is Burma, a military dictatorship where defense spending devours perhaps a third of its gross national product. Another example is the battered democracy of Thailand. Since 2006, when the military toppled an elected government, defense spending has more than doubled to $5.5 billion. It is tempting to see this as the price the current Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, must pay to ensure his generals' loyalty."

To keep things in perspective, regionally and internationally.

ASEAN countries military expenditure as a percent of GDP

?.? (unreported) Myanmar

4.1 Singapore

3.9 Brunei

2.4 Vietnam

2.0 Malaysia

1.5 Thailand

1.1 Cambodia

1.0 Indonesia

0.8 Philippines

0.4 Laos

ASEAN average (not counting unreported Myanmar) = 1.9

On a world scale of military expenditure as a percent of GDP, Thailand ranks # 89.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

Defense spending in Thailand, as in most countries of the world, waxes and wanes, with later spending balancing years of defense cuts.

[Buchholz]

BTW, Good luck to the sailors of the Royal Thai Navy on this first-ever tasking and congratulations on the decision to join this very worthwhile cause.

Yes, best wishes to them and I hope they all return safely. I guess for some people it's just one more opportunity to bitch & moan . Of course here on TV, Thailand bashing is a 24/7 undertaking.

They deserve every bit of the bashing. The naval venture may be worthwhile, but there more worthwhile causes on the home front, such as promoting democracy and not military political influence and power. If a government needs the military such as the now Ruling Democrats (sic) to keep them in power then there is no democracy or freedom.

Do you have other specific operations that the HTMS Pattani and HTMS Similan should be involved in that are "more worthwhile causes" or do you just feel the need to "bash" the Royal Thai Navy because "they deserve" it?

[mogoso]

They deserve every bit of the bashing. The naval venture may be worthwhile, but there more worthwhile causes on the home front, such as promoting democracy and not military political influence and power. If a government needs the military such as the now Ruling Democrats (sic) to keep them in power then there is no democracy or freedom.

What is so important about Democracy. True Democracy is mob rule, or two wolves and a sheep deciding whats for dinner.

Democratic elected representatives to administer a system of laws, not the mood of the mob or union makes more sense than to bandy about democracy as if it is some kind of war club.

[ableguy]

The enthusiasm to join the international community would be commendable if the Thai house was in good order. There is a full scale war being waged inside this country which is being won by the bad guys -the insurgents. The casualty figures are horrific. Yesterdays brutal slaying of four elderly people was heart wrenching, to read about these poor people pleading for their lives and their neighbours listening and doing nothing. The only reason for their slaying, they belong to a different club,

The book "The War of the Running Dogs " by Noel Barber tells of the simple strategy used to defeat the Malay communists . Note that when I say defeat , it was almost perfect, the communist remnants escaped to Southern Thailand where their hatred festered for 50 years and has now been rebranded recently under a different banner but with the same aims. The successful strategy used by the British and Malay forces was simple, deny the enemy territory and space. Live in their back yard and don't let them rest , protect the local and isolate the bad guys and pick them off. The US used this in Iraq with the surge and were successfully

It seems all too logical that good police work would soon identify the unemployed youths with a bad attitude and yet always with enough money to buy food and services , repair vehicles , rent TV's ,. movies or whatever they do in between killing. It seems it would not be hard to find the patterns and it seems it would not be hard to completely project all the villages in one province if there is not enough troops to protect them all. It would seem to not be difficult to own the night ,meaning the bad guys cannot move without fear of being caught. It would seem that taking over the province would be safer than the keystone cops tactic of the poor soldier rushing to an attack site only to be blown up again and again

Maybe instead of another 100 APC's or Pirate Patrols , more boots on the ground in southern Thailand would be the answer.

BTW , Takkie was going to fix this in 30 days as they were only common bandits , remember !!!

Yes remmember Takkie was going to solve the drug problem in 30 days too, and also recover the 2000 rifles that went AWOL in 30 days. dont worry about the APCs doubtful if they will ever get here as the first original order has yet to be delivered. The differance between the South and Malaya is this, in the Malay conflict the commies were operating and living in the jungle, here they live in regular homes and look the same as everyone else, I dont believe there has ever been a victory anywhere anytime against this type of terrorist, but I wish there was an answer. Enjoyed reading your post .

[Buchholz]

dont worry about the APCs doubtful if they will ever get here as the first original order has yet to be delivered.

Ukraine delivers first two armored vehicles to Thailand

BANGKOK, Sept. 16, 2010 (Xinhua) -- The first two Ukraine-made BTR- 3E1 armored personnel carriers (APCs) are due to be delivered on Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft to U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield on Friday before sending to 2nd Infantry Division for initial inspection, local media reported.

[Tropicalevo]

BTW, Good luck to the sailors of the Royal Thai Navy on this first-ever tasking and congratulations on the decision to join this very worthwhile cause.

Yes, best wishes to them and I hope they all return safely. I guess for some people it's just one more opportunity to bitch & moan . Of course here on TV, Thailand bashing is a 24/7 undertaking.

They deserve every bit of the bashing. The naval venture may be worthwhile, but there more worthwhile causes on the home front, such as promoting democracy and not military political influence and power. If a government needs the military such as the now Ruling Democrats (sic) to keep them in power then there is no democracy or freedom.

I cannot see how keeping the two naval ships here is " promoting democracy and not military political influence and power". Yes of course promoting democracy is important, but Thailand should do both (and a lot more). Not one or the other.

It is good that Thailand is accepting some International responsibility. Also - Thailand benefits from some of the products on these ships that are being attacked. Ergo - it is looking after it's interests as well.

Well done Thailand and good luck to all of you on this useful and important exercise.

[EarthAlien]

The 60-day mission will allow Thai troops to learn and work with other nationalities taking part in the Gulf of Aden operation

Wonder whether the pirates will be participating in the exercises or whether they'll just wait out the 60 days until the troops have to go home and then it'll be "back to business" for all those in the piracy trade.

[metisdead]

dont worry about the APCs doubtful if they will ever get here as the first original order has yet to be delivered.

Ukraine delivers first two armored vehicles to Thailand

BANGKOK, Sept. 16, 2010 (Xinhua) -- The first two Ukraine-made BTR- 3E1 armored personnel carriers (APCs) are due to be delivered on Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft to U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield on Friday before sending to 2nd Infantry Division for initial inspection, local media reported.

[yellow1red1]

wot great news for human trafficers, Ceylon Tamil terrorist transporters to Canada, for example!

who protect Thailand's World Image as leaky faucets for these ventures with the Navy sent an ocean away???

2 months ago they promised better surveillance of Thai waters, ----- guess not.

[Buchholz]

The 60-day mission will allow Thai troops to learn and work with other nationalities taking part in the Gulf of Aden operation

Wonder whether the pirates will be participating in the exercises or whether they'll just wait out the 60 days until the troops have to go home and then it'll be "back to business" for all those in the piracy trade.

Thailand is participating in a multi-national naval campaign. That presence from that international force isn't going anywhere in 60 days.

[Buchholz]

Ceylon Tamil

There hasn't been a Ceylon since 1972. Where have you been for the last 38 years?

[LTGTR]

"Although it is quite a dangerous mission"! Dangerous in what sense-no pad Thai for 60 days?

LOL!

[SamritT]

Thailand warship in Africa is just a front. The real intention could be to show fire power infront of Saudi door step. Don't mess with our police appointment, or we will ...

[Buchholz]

"Although it is quite a dangerous mission"! Dangerous in what sense

Life at sea for any sailor is dangerous

On an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, flight deck personnel were readying fighter aircraft for a strike at enemy ground forces. One of the Sailors had a problem with ordinance and one rocket accidentally discharged. The rocket flew into and past another Sailor causing severe injury to his thigh and fracturing his femur. Ruptured femoral vessels poured forth blood and the injured Sailor fell to the deck unconscious.

Continues:

http://www.anatomyatlases.org/firstaid/ThighInjury.shtml

Anatomy of First Aid: A Case Study Approach

[rubl]

BTW, Good luck to the sailors of the Royal Thai Navy on this first-ever tasking and congratulations on the decision to join this very worthwhile cause.

Yes, best wishes to them and I hope they all return safely. I guess for some people it's just one more opportunity to bitch & moan . Of course here on TV, Thailand bashing is a 24/7 undertaking.

They deserve every bit of the bashing. The naval venture may be worthwhile, but there more worthwhile causes on the home front, such as promoting democracy and not military political influence and power. If a government needs the military such as the now Ruling Democrats (sic) to keep them in power then there is no democracy or freedom.

Since we're talking about 'Thai Navy's Pirate Hunt' I don't see there being more worthy causes for them on the home front. Unless you really mean that the Navy should promote democracy AND not military political influence and power. A bit contradictory I think, democracy and asking the Navy to meddle. Let the Navy stay at sea, I'd say.

Your last sentence start with "If", I assume this means it's just your speculation with "ruling Dem's" thrown in as bait. As this is a naval topic fishing might be appropriate

[phiphidon]

"Yet another reason why generals buy weapons is because they can. The military still plays a central political role in many Southeast Asian countries. The obvious example is Burma, a military dictatorship where defense spending devours perhaps a third of its gross national product. Another example is the battered democracy of Thailand. Since 2006, when the military toppled an elected government, defense spending has more than doubled to $5.5 billion. It is tempting to see this as the price the current Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, must pay to ensure his generals' loyalty."

To keep things in perspective, regionally and internationally.

ASEAN countries military expenditure as a percent of GDP

?.? (unreported) Myanmar

4.1 Singapore

3.9 Brunei

2.4 Vietnam

2.0 Malaysia

1.5 Thailand

1.1 Cambodia

1.0 Indonesia

0.8 Philippines

0.4 Laos

ASEAN average (not counting unreported Myanmar) = 1.9

On a world scale of military expenditure as a percent of GDP, Thailand ranks # 89.

http://en.wikipedia....ry_expenditures

Defense spending in Thailand, as in most countries of the world, waxes and wanes, with later spending balancing years of defense cuts.

I'm not disputing your percentage figures but the URL stated provides a list that is "

That list states

On a world scale of military expediture as a percentage of GDP, Thailand ranks No.33

Position No.89 is held by the Ivory Coast

For some reason part of the reply was not included - basically it was saying that I used the same URL

as that quoted.

Edited September 20, 2010 by phiphidon

[Buchholz]

"Yet another reason why generals buy weapons is because they can. The military still plays a central political role in many Southeast Asian countries. The obvious example is Burma, a military dictatorship where defense spending devours perhaps a third of its gross national product. Another example is the battered democracy of Thailand. Since 2006, when the military toppled an elected government, defense spending has more than doubled to $5.5 billion. It is tempting to see this as the price the current Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, must pay to ensure his generals' loyalty."

To keep things in perspective, regionally and internationally.

ASEAN countries military expenditure as a percent of GDP

?.? (unreported) Myanmar

4.1 Singapore

3.9 Brunei

2.4 Vietnam

2.0 Malaysia

1.5 Thailand

1.1 Cambodia

1.0 Indonesia

0.8 Philippines

0.4 Laos

ASEAN average (not counting unreported Myanmar) = 1.9

On a world scale of military expenditure as a percent of GDP, Thailand ranks # 89.

http://en.wikipedia....ry_expenditures

Defense spending in Thailand, as in most countries of the world, waxes and wanes, with later spending balancing years of defense cuts.

I'm not disputing your percentage figures but the URL stated provides a list that is "That list states

On a world scale of military expediture as a percentage of GDP, Thailand ranks No.33

Position No.89 is held by the Ivory Coast

The list you refer to is by total expenditures (in dollars).

To obtain military expenditure as a percentage of GDP, you need to click on the last column of figures in the link.

When you do that, and then count the countries in order, the following is revealed:

On a world scale of military expenditure as a percentage of GDP, Thailand ranks # 89

[walterego]

Yes it is great to see them involved in such important work.

I wonder what the Saudi's think of them floating around in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea given the current climate.

[blazes]

The successful strategy used by the British and Malay forces was simple, deny the enemy territory and space. Live in their back yard and don't let them rest , protect the local and isolate the bad guys and pick them off. The US used this in Iraq with the surge and were successfully

Nice to hear the Americans were "successful" (or 'successfully' something) in Iraq. Comes as a surprise to most of us....

[Buchholz]

Yes it is great to see them involved in such important work.

I wonder what the Saudi's think of them floating around in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea given the current climate.

They probably think, "Welcome to our shared cause"

Malaysian and Saudi navy copters scare off pirates

http://www.mima.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68:malaysian-and-saudi-navy-copters-scare-off-pirates&catid=50:nst-online&Itemid=50

Pirates take control of Saudi oil tanker

http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-36548020081117

[walterego]

Yes I agree and this is possibly part but not all of the motivation behind them becoming involved.