Mosque Massacre In Krabi: 3 Dead, 3 Injured

[webfact]

Mosque massacre in Krabi: 3 dead, 3 injured

Phuket Gazette

The scene at Ban Ao Nam Mosque in Krabi’s Ao Luek District last night. Photo: NationChannel

PHUKET: -- Unknown gunmen ambushed a group of Muslim men outside a mosque in Ao Luek, Krabi, last night, killing three of the men and wounding three others.

Ao Luek District Police were informed of the massacre at Ban Ao Nam Mosque in Laem Sak just after 7pm.

Sub Lt Manad Inpornphorm, Inspector with the Ao Luek District Police Crime Suppression Division, told the Phuket Gazette that when officers arrived they found large pools of blood on the stairs and terracing at the front of the mosque.

Investigators collected six 11mm bullet casings and photographed bullet holes in the wall of the mosque as evidence.

All six victims were alive when they were rushed to hospitals by local residents, witnesses told police.

Three of the victims were hit in vital organs and died in the hospitals from lack of blood and other complications.

Two died at Ao Luek Hospital, and the third man died at Krabi Hospital, Ao Luek Police Superintendent Col Somdej Sukgarn told the Gazette.

Of the three survivors, two were seriously injured and are still undergoing treatment at Krabi Hospital.

The third survivor, Village 2 chief Donlorrak Khonlian, had his right arm grazed by a bullet. He was treated as an outpatient and released from Ao Luek Hospital last night.

“Mr Donlorrak told me that he went for prayers with his father and other villagers, just as he did every evening,” said Sub Lt Manad.

“Then he came out from the mosque for a group conversation. All of the sudden, a silver Toyota Vios sedan pulled up on the street in front of the mosque. Two men wearing ski masks got out of the car, walked toward Mr Donlorrak and his group, and started firing. Then they ran back to the car and sped off,” he said.

Police have yet to make any arrests.

“I don’t know who did this, but I suspect it involves local politics. On November 24, Mr Donlorrak won the election for the position of village chief [over the incumbent candidate]. It turns out that the margin of victory was just 19 votes in favor of Mr Donlorrak,” said Col Somdej.

“This is a serious case. We will continue to investigate until we find the man who was behind all this,” Col Somdej added.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article11686.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-12-12

[cowslip]

"until we find the man who was behind all this" - sounds like he has made up his mind already.

[Footloose1949]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

[Riely]

The 11mm Shell casings threw me off. Is that what they call a .45 cal outside of the US? If not, what gun uses a 11mm shell? And if it was a .45 the assailants may have had some cash as a .45cal pistol is not cheap AT ALL here in Thailand like 60,000baht+ minimum (as opposed to a few hundred bucks in the States)

[MisterMan]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

[manarak]

The 11mm Shell casings threw me off. Is that what they call a .45 cal outside of the US? If not, what gun uses a 11mm shell? And if it was a .45 the assailants may have had some cash as a .45cal pistol is not cheap AT ALL here in Thailand like 60,000baht+ minimum (as opposed to a few hundred bucks in the States)

look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11_mm_caliber

[Cowboyshoe]

Let's not assume this has anything to do with religion.

Knowing someone (or a group of people) is going to be at a certain place at a certain time is a prerequisite for an ambush-style attack like this one. The fact that it was a house of worship might simply be incidental.

[Jirapa]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

Maybe the guy they were targeting just happened to be outside a mosque?

[khunken]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

Both responses are pure speculation with the latter just showing bigotry. The report itself seems to point more to local political problems than religious in-fighting.

[TechnikaIII]

The 11mm Shell casings threw me off. Is that what they call a .45 cal outside of the US? If not, what gun uses a 11mm shell? And if it was a .45 the assailants may have had some cash as a .45cal pistol is not cheap AT ALL here in Thailand like 60,000baht+ minimum (as opposed to a few hundred bucks in the States)

... so what's your point? In the market for a gun are we?

[TechnikaIII]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

Both responses are pure speculation with the latter just showing bigotry. The report itself seems to point more to local political problems than religious in-fighting.

Just a tad pompous there Mr khunken. The report itself is nothing more than speculation anyway. And it's true that it's, well not exactly "nothing", but as yet minor compared with what's been happening in the South, which has in fact been going on for years. There is bigotry neither in stating fact nor in making the comparison.

[hansnl]

The 11mm Shell casings threw me off. Is that what they call a .45 cal outside of the US? If not, what gun uses a 11mm shell? And if it was a .45 the assailants may have had some cash as a .45cal pistol is not cheap AT ALL here in Thailand like 60,000baht+ minimum (as opposed to a few hundred bucks in the States)

You think a 9 mm pistol or a 357/38 revolver will be any cheaper.

Of course I mean in the legal gunshop.

Edited December 12, 2011 by hansnl

[hansnl]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

Both responses are pure speculation with the latter just showing bigotry. The report itself seems to point more to local political problems than religious in-fighting.

Or maybe the political "picture" is used to cover the possible religious tone?

Who knows?

[Riely]

The 11mm Shell casings threw me off. Is that what they call a .45 cal outside of the US? If not, what gun uses a 11mm shell? And if it was a .45 the assailants may have had some cash as a .45cal pistol is not cheap AT ALL here in Thailand like 60,000baht+ minimum (as opposed to a few hundred bucks in the States)

look here:

http://en.wikipedia....i/11_mm_caliber

Ahh ok thanks for that, I guess then they are looking for a Rifle as the murder weapon. I never heard of a 11mm before not very big back in the States.

[AllanB]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

Both responses are pure speculation with the latter just showing bigotry. The report itself seems to point more to local political problems than religious in-fighting.

Just a tad pompous there Mr khunken. The report itself is nothing more than speculation anyway. And it's true that it's, well not exactly "nothing", but as yet minor compared with what's been happening in the South, which has in fact been going on for years. There is bigotry neither in stating fact nor in making the comparison.

I agree, this is more of what has been going on in the south for years and I think the Thais are right to keep it relatively quiet, it isn't going to end anytime soon, so reporting it won't help the situation, or help us understand it. If it were reported in detail. like it would be in the west, it could easily spread, or make things worse, I am all for a free press, but journalists has a lot to answer for in glamourising these situations and giving certain groups free publicity, on the pretext that they have a duty. On the other hand they keep it quiet (or are kept quite) when politicians up to no good, on the pretext that they are protecting national security.

[Tanuki]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

Both responses are pure speculation with the latter just showing bigotry. The report itself seems to point more to local political problems than religious in-fighting.

Just a tad pompous there Mr khunken. The report itself is nothing more than speculation anyway. And it's true that it's, well not exactly "nothing", but as yet minor compared with what's been happening in the South, which has in fact been going on for years. There is bigotry neither in stating fact nor in making the comparison.

Yeah I didn't understand how it was a bigoted comment either? From what the "police" said it very well could have been Muslim on Muslim especially odds are in that province it would be. Hope they catch the person/group responsible.

[Riely]

The 11mm Shell casings threw me off. Is that what they call a .45 cal outside of the US? If not, what gun uses a 11mm shell? And if it was a .45 the assailants may have had some cash as a .45cal pistol is not cheap AT ALL here in Thailand like 60,000baht+ minimum (as opposed to a few hundred bucks in the States)

... so what's your point? In the market for a gun are we?

Whats your point,? You have a problem with me because I inquired as to the nature of a uncommon caliber?

And no, I am no longer in the market for a handgun.

[SanSaiExPat]

"until we find the man who was behind all this" - sounds like he has made up his mind already.

Why do you assume it has anything to do with religious intolerance? It could just as easily be about a bad dept, a scorned woman or plain and simple politics, which is what it sounds like to me. But at this point no one knows for sure. However, It just slays me to see all you libs get your panties in a knot on the rare occasions when Muslims are involved in any altercation. Immediately, they are victims? Why? Why is it when the more frequent and common attacks on Christian's in Iraq and Iran and Lebanon are killed it's not religious intolerance by Muslims?. When Buddhist Temples and monks in the south of Thailand are killed by Muslims why is that not worthy of your outrage? Where are your posts decrying those atrocities? Explain to me why liberals like yourself seem to be OK with repressive Sharia Muslim law?

[webfact]

Three shot dead in Thai tourist town: police

BANGKOK, December 12, 2011 (AFP) - Three Thai men were shot dead when unknown gunmen sprayed bullets at worshippers at a mosque in a tourist town on the kingdom's southern coast, police said Monday.

Nine Muslim men where sitting outside the building after evening prayers on Sunday when the attack happened, according to police in Ao Luek, Krabi, on Thailand's Andaman coast.

Three men, including a newly-elected village headman, were also injured in the shooting, which police said was likely to be motivated by politics, rather than religion.

Colonel Somdet Sukkarn, the local police chief, said they were hunting two gunmen who jumped out of a car near the mosque and randomly shot at the worshippers.

"We believe that it's related to local politics, one of the victims was the father of the new village headman," he said.

Police said the attack had no connection to unrest in Thailand's southernmost provinces, where a more than eight-year Muslim insurgency has left more than 4,800 people dead.

Krabi province is a major tourist hub, known for its tropical islands, white sand beaches, diving sites and dramatic karst cliffs.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-12-12

[scotbeve]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

Please let's not forget that most of the Islam religion has been been hijacked and corrupted by power mongers with agendas that are far from the original principles / concepts. HUMAN NATURE

[animatic]

Let's not assume this has anything to do with religion.

Knowing someone (or a group of people) is going to be at a certain place at a certain time is a prerequisite for an ambush-style attack like this one. The fact that it was a house of worship might simply be incidental.

Yes exactly.

Power struggles for the local spoils don't necessarily have to be religiously demarcated.

Motive:

Possible political revenge for election loss, or something connected to this.

Or just the pure loss of revenue from being in power before.

Buddhists shoot each other after elections also, as we saw yesterday.

Could also be loss of face or honor killing too.

Opportunity:

Well mandatory prayer time and place makes this easy enough.

Not giving a hoot what their religion is, or disliking them because of it, means little thought would be taken to doing it in front of the mosque.

Means:

11mm gun and a car stolen or otherwise.

I imagine both are quite hot.

Yes, it sounds like the police official has a idea what's the cause.

Edited December 12, 2011 by animatic

[Jimi007]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

Most of the violence was further south, now it's starting to creep a bit north it seems. But this shooting seems to have more to do with politics and power, unlike some of the killings further south that targeted teachers and monks. As with most articles first reported by the Phuket Gazette, most of the facts are left out, so the event can be sensationalized...

[metisdead]

Some inflammatory bigotry posts have been removed:

7) Not to post slurs or degrading comments directed towards any group on the basis of race, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

[cowslip]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

I find this post very disturbing; as soon as the word "mosque" is used it is assumed there is a religious aspect to these murders, when it looks like it is probably a politics/ganster affair.

If you look under the skin of ANY religious dispute you will find that the real underlying forces aren't religious at all, but all about power, money and control.

....but it always helps if you can use another identifiable groups of people as a scapegoat.

[bobbysan124]

It's a shame, whatever the motivation. Feel sorry for the families of those killed and hope those who were injured severely recover fully.

[svensk1]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

Most of the violence was further south, now it's starting to creep a bit north it seems. But this shooting seems to have more to do with politics and power, unlike some of the killings further south that targeted teachers and monks. As with most articles first reported by the Phuket Gazette, most of the facts are left out, so the event can be sensationalized...

Exactly, we do not know the facts, but most killings in or around mosques, around the world are by commited by other muslims. One faction vs another, one sect rivaling another. So why don't we wait until the facts come out to start speculating on a new arena for a religious war.

[MisterMan]

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

Both responses are pure speculation with the latter just showing bigotry. The report itself seems to point more to local political problems than religious in-fighting.

Just a tad pompous there Mr khunken. The report itself is nothing more than speculation anyway. And it's true that it's, well not exactly "nothing", but as yet minor compared with what's been happening in the South, which has in fact been going on for years. There is bigotry neither in stating fact nor in making the comparison.

Yeah I didn't understand how it was a bigoted comment either? From what the "police" said it very well could have been Muslim on Muslim especially odds are in that province it would be. Hope they catch the person/group responsible.

Glad some people understood me as I was merely pointing out to the poster that 1. This is nothing compared to what is going on further south where there is religious intolerance and heinous acts of violence against teachers and monks.

As it was speculated it was political I was assuming that the politicians of the same village would be the same religion therefor it may have not been religiously motivated.

It just seemed that Footloose was unaware of the civil unrest in the south. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Thailand_insurgency

Edited December 12, 2011 by MisterMan

[jeanelie]

This is horrible! A largely Buddhist country, suffering from religious intolerance under the name of politics, or the other way round.

This is nothing compared to what is going on in the south and what has been going on for years!

Perhaps this was a case of Muslims killing Muslims though and not about religious intolerance.

agree

[jeanelie]

"until we find the man who was behind all this" - sounds like he has made up his mind already.

Why do you assume it has anything to do with religious intolerance? It could just as easily be about a bad dept, a scorned woman or plain and simple politics, which is what it sounds like to me. But at this point no one knows for sure. However, It just slays me to see all you libs get your panties in a knot on the rare occasions when Muslims are involved in any altercation. Immediately, they are victims? Why? Why is it when the more frequent and common attacks on Christian's in Iraq and Iran and Lebanon are killed it's not religious intolerance by Muslims?. When Buddhist Temples and monks in the south of Thailand are killed by Muslims why is that not worthy of your outrage? Where are your posts decrying those atrocities? Explain to me why liberals like yourself seem to be OK with repressive Sharia Muslim law?

Agree 100%.

[sbk]

Hate speech is not tolerated on Thaivisa and several posts have been removed. If you insist on posting in this vein, suspensions will be handed out.

I do hope this is very clear.