Thai South Rattled By Coordinated Attacks

[webfact]

Thai south rattled by coordinated attacks

Bangkok, Aug 31, 2012 (AFP) - Militants in Thailand's Muslim-majority south carried out a wave of coordinated attacks Friday, wounding several soldiers and hoisting the Malaysian flag across the restive region, officials said.

August 31 marks Malaysia's independence from British rule and commemorates the founding of Bersatu -- the umbrella organisation for militants in Thailand's southernmost provinces believed to want greater autonomy.

Three military rangers and two marines were wounded in bomb blasts, an army spokesman said, adding that more than one hundred "symbolic attacks" took place across the southern provinces of Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

"There were altogether 124 symbolic attacks such as planting small bombs, burning tyres or the Thai national flag and planting fake bombs," Major General Prawut Thavornsiri, deputy national police chief told AFP.

"Insurgents hoisted or tied the national flag of our neighbours and our officials have collected them," he said.

Deputy prime minister Yutthasak Sasiprpa said the attacks were a publicity stunt to mark the founding day of Bersatu 23 years ago, adding the militants intended "to show they are still active".

A complex insurgency, without clearly stated aims, has plagued Thailand's far south near the border with Malaysia since 2004, claiming thousands of lives, both Buddhist and Muslim, with near-daily bomb or gun attacks.

Analysts say they have become increasingly well organised and Friday's attacks show a sophisticated ability to co-ordinate actions across the southern region.

It is unclear why the insurgents chose to hoist Malaysian flags, although many of their senior leaders are rumoured to live across the Thai border.

Yutthasak said he had asked the Thai foreign ministry to speak to Malaysia about the incident amid fears the militants may be trying to trigger tensions between the two countries.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-08-31

[webfact]

Malaysian national day sees flag-associated bomb incidents in Thai border provinces

NARATHWAT, Aug 31 - Suspicious objects were founded in four southern border provinces while in Narathiwat alone, they were founded at 43 locations and three Thai government personnel were wounded.

Most of suspicious objects were found to be real explosive devices, weighing from one to ten kilogrammes in gasoline cans, iron boxes and paper cartons. They were placed at 43 locations in Narathiwat’s 12 districts.

Bomb squads worked to defuse them in the pre-dawn hours, 3-5am Friday while bombs exploded in four districts, wounding three officials.

The latest incident occurred at about 8am when a grenade was thrown at the Provincial Electricity Authority branch office in Rangae district but no one was wounded.

Police believe that the series of disturbances were the work of ill –intentioned group on the anniversary of the establishment of the Bersatu, an insurgency group which is active in the southern border region.

In Yala, presumed insurgents left suspicious objects at several spots in Yala municipality, Bangnang Sata and Yaha districts. Tripod spikes were strewn on roads, damaging many vehicles.

In Yaha district, messages challenging the local authorities were left at three locations but no bombs were found.

In Pattani, bomb-like objects were hung on trees and electric poles along the road linking Pattani’s Khok Pho and Songkhla’s Thepha districts, causing disruption for travellers.Several schools in Pattani closed today for safety concerns as some suspicious objects were found near schools.

In Songkhla, suspicious objects were found at 15 sites in three districts, but most were only dummy bombs.

Security has been tightened in Hat Yai’s business district although no bombs were found.

Symbolic Malaysian flags were hung on trees and power poles at multiple locations in Pattani and Songkhla.

Some ethnic Malay Muslims in Thailand’s southernmost region have conducted an insurgency against the Thai authorities since 2004. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-31

[TheFishman1]

What up with the Muslims in Thailand?

[Yahooka]

What up with the Muslims in Thailand?

Theres a big difference between the muslims in Thailand and those in the restive south, a different breed and the only things they have in common is the religion.

[impulse]

Theres a big difference between the muslims in Thailand and those in the restive south, a different breed and the only things they have in common is the religion.

I'd argue that they don't even have the same religion.

Edited August 31, 2012 by impulse

[tonglen]

Terrorist attacks will continue unabated - and that without any condemnation from the Imam's.

The only thing these terrorists will repond to is brute force - plain and simple. I will leave it at that, because I hate to advocate more violence as an answer.

Oh, and let's call these people what they are: Radical Muslim Terrorists, NOT "Insurgents."

That should keep everyone happy, because not all Muslims are radical, nor are they all terrorists.

[tonglen]

Theres a big difference between the muslims in Thailand and those in the restive south, a different breed and the only things they have in common is the religion.

I'd argue that they don't even have the same religion.

Same religion - just interpreted in different ways. Much like Christianity.

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."

-Gandhi

[rubl]

Symbolic Malaysian flags were hung on trees and power poles at multiple locations in Pattani and Songkhla.

Some ethnic Malay Muslims in Thailand's southernmost region have conducted an insurgency against the Thai authorities since 2004.

I assume the post means Malay as in ethnicity rather than Malay as in Malaysian. Interesting though the reference to Malaysian flags.

Anyway it seems neither the PM telling the deep South of the government's plans to bring peace, nor the setup of 'operation centre' really brought much. Maybe the 'help yourself' message from a week ago was meant seriously ?

[webfact]

SOUTH VIOLENCE

Insurgents launch 102 attacks in 1 day

The Nation

Five bombings leave 6 people injured; Malaysian flags planted all over region

YALA: -- Insurgents staged 102 violent incidents, including five bomb attacks that wounded six security officials, in the deep South yesterday, timing them to coincide with Malaysia's independence day for symbolic effect, the commander of the Fourth Army Area based in Pattani said yesterday.

Lt-General Udomchai Thammasarojrat said the widely reported recent killing of four soldiers was intended to send a message to the international community that Thai authorities had lost control of the deep South, while signalling that the overall separatist battle was nearly won.

The insurgents intended the incidents to incite hatred between Thai and ethnic Malay people while painting a bad image of Thailand in the eyes of its neighbours and generally promoting their cause, he said.

On behalf of the Fourth Army Area and residents of southern Thailand, Udomchai congratulated Malaysia on the 55th anniversary of its independence. The national day is known as Merdeka Day.

By displaying a Malaysian national flag at the site of every incident yesterday, the insurgents were attempting to disrupt Thailand's good relations with Malaysia, the general said. This a common psychological ploy used by the rebels to foment bilateral conflict and undermine good relations, he said. They want to send a signal that they have a large armed militia when in fact their numbers are small, he said.

There were five separate bomb attacks in Narathiwat yesterday, injuring six security officials - three Marines and three Army rangers - said spokesman Colonel Pramote Phrom-in. A large number of Malaysian national flags were placed at many sites in Songkhla, several bomb hoaxes were staged and Thai national flags were burned, among many similar incidents in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, officials said.

Of the 102 incidents, 34 occurred in Yala, 44 in Narathiwat, 12 in Pattani and 12 in Songkhla. August 31 also marks the day that the Malay separatist organisation Bersatu, or MPRMP (Council of the Muslim People of Pattani), was founded in 1989.

The spokesman said the insurgents sought to create violence and chaos to undermine the launch of the Asean Economic Community in 2015. Under the AEC, people across Southeast Asia, including those in the deep South, anticipate an era of greater prosperity and high economic growth, which should see people turn their backs on separatism and end their support for the insurgents, Pramote said.

A security source said the use of Malaysian national flags at the site of 102 incidents was a big issue, despite no fatalities occurring. "Producing flags in 102 incidents is not an easy thing to do; it was done to show [the insurgents'] potential, and led to the incidents being reported in international news coverage," the source added.

"This could lead to the insurgents' signalling that their separatist struggle is nearly won. Many of the flags were flown at schools, replacing Thai national flags that were taken down and burned," the source said.

-- The Nation 2012-09-01

[asiawatcher]

These outcasts of society hold the populace in fear of reprisal, thus can continue their murderous activities unabated. A relatively simple solution would be to check the domestic registration of all people in a swoop and forensically test for traces of explosives, anyone caught, being immediately incarcerated, deported and their ID's publicly printed locally as well as computerised in appropriate data bases. Tracking their relations and acquaintances would also be quite revealing. As to flying the Malaysian flags, I think that is simply a ploy of reference to Muslims solidarity and perhaps even seeking some bent idea of moral support from their origins. But we certainly do not need another 'Shinawatra' witch hunt.

If the Muslims themselves got off their asses and reported these Islamist extremists, there could actually be some improvement in their lifestyles and safety.

[Traxster]

"If the Muslims themselves got off their asses and reported these Islamist extremists, there could actually be some improvement in their lifestyles and safety. "

Don't hold your breath,it won't happen.

[sunshine51]

What up with the Muslims in Thailand?

It's not the "Muslims in Thailand" causing the fracas in the troubled southern

provinces. That crap is caused by the umbrella organisation known as Bersatu

aka "the one or we're one" and also the non Muslim criminal element down

here who are mainly into smuggling (smuggling everything). I'm currently

in Narathiwat on an assignment about the "troubles" (apols to the UK for

for copying their slogan but it fits here too). Yes...many non violent Muslims

here do not/will not report the terrorists to the "authorities" and I have heard

their reasons why and if I was one of them (the non violent) I'd do my best

to prolong my life and perhaps do the same.

I have written other comments on the South in other threads in TV and suggest

readers of this post who are new to the crap in the troubled provinces to

have a read of my and others posts earlier. They're easy to find by starting

a few pages back in the main Thailand news section of this forum.

This Malaysian flag planting and fake/real small bomb planting is not

a new tactic...it happens every 31 August...Malaysia's Independence Day

and Bersatu's Founding day. Plus...most of the support for the terrorist

organisations comes from 2 geographic areas....Malaysia's northern

States that border Thailand and the Province of Aceh on Sumatra.

While you read this and perhaps other related threads I must now

head out and deal with the bad and good guys...bye for now.

Edited September 1, 2012 by sunshine51

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

You would think that an army with 300 generals could do better.

[sunshine51]

You would think that an army with 300 generals could do better.

That's just half the problem.

[bluegum]

Is this kind of trouble an annual event? Were there any warnings from Thai authorities about this large set of incidents and bomb plantings? It would have required significant communication among those responsible, which should have been detected by Thai intelligence in the region.

Please no sarcastic jokes about 'Thai intelligence'. I'm referring to the communications monitoring and information gathering which I assume is an ongoing task for Thai authorities in the South

[hellodolly]

To me it is a religious problem. Call them what you will they have one thing in common. Islam. The world over they have caused disturbances in every country they move into. When they get to a certain size of the population they try to force there ways on others.

There is no two ways about it. There are many very decent peace loving Muslims but they all have the same book that says the terrorists are doing the right thing and the women are second class citizens. Even more so than in many other religions. (They all put women down some more than others) It is a religion that was started by a man who was working for his wife.

To them life is cheap they don't care who they kill. If you are not backing them you are fair game to be killed by them. Look at any country in the world with a large Muslim population.

Here in Chiang Mai they just remodeled and updated their Mosque. A friend of mine spent quite a bit of time watching them. He said for the most part they were very friendly but there were some there who made it clear they did not like him being there.

Occasionally they kind of check you out when your entering the airport Market. Reminded me of Bali. A largely Hindu country that has had to contend with the Islamic people.

[SICHONSTEVE]

What up with the Muslims in Thailand?

Only those in the deep south, as the Muslims (there are 2 or 3 Muslim villages near us in Nakhonsithammarat) are very nice people - and extremely honest as well, I should point out!!!

[harryfrompattaya]

What up with the Muslims in Thailand?

Are you sure the trouble was in South Thailand not Israel or the Philippines or do Muslims have trouble everywhere?

[phetaroi]

Just before reading this post, I was reading a biography of a Thai person and it discussed the situation in the South in the 1960s, as well as the then remote areas of Issan and the North. According to the author, the viewpoint of the central government was to "use" the (then) isolated areas of the country for what could be gotten out of them (whether it was timber or tin), but pretty much ignore the problems of those areas. Sort of a laizzez-faire attitude. This led to the Communist problem, particularly in Issan.

I can't see as the government has a much more enlightened attitude toward the South now, 50 years hence.

[sunshine51]

Just before reading this post, I was reading a biography of a Thai person and it discussed the situation in the South in the 1960s, as well as the then remote areas of Issan and the North. According to the author, the viewpoint of the central government was to "use" the (then) isolated areas of the country for what could be gotten out of them (whether it was timber or tin), but pretty much ignore the problems of those areas. Sort of a laizzez-faire attitude. This led to the Communist problem, particularly in Issan.

I can't see as the government has a much more enlightened attitude toward the South now, 50 years hence.

Phetaroi...

These actions by the government of those days also led

to the CPT having a huge stronghold in the South and their

supportive measures/stronghold for the CPM during the

Emergency in Malaya. Back then the communists kept

any Muslim extremeists pinned down but good...if not dead.

Edited September 2, 2012 by sunshine51

[tomross46]

Malaysia, during the 50 and 60 had the same problem, They created an organization, which was joint operations of police, and military called VAT 69. Operations were set up to remove the people away from they terrorist, they were called Statigic Hamlets. VAT 69 eliminated the problem, freed the people from fear. They used they same strategy as the terrorist.

[sunshine51]

Malaysia, during the 50 and 60 had the same problem, They created an organization, which was joint operations of police, and military called VAT 69. Operations were set up to remove the people away from they terrorist, they were called Statigic Hamlets. VAT 69 eliminated the problem, freed the people from fear. They used they same strategy as the terrorist.

VAT 69...Very Able Troopers...was founded in 1969 to deal with the

Communists who operated from bases in Thailand and jungle

hideouts in Malaysia. 69 was trained by the SAS. The Strategic

Hamlet Programme was well in place by then and started by the

Brits during the beginning of the Malayan Emergency to keep

the Non Communist Chinese population away from confrontations

with the mainly ethnic Chinese Communist Party of Malaya or

CPM. The Malayan Emergency ran from 1948 to 1960 then again

from 1967 to the semi official end in 1989 when the majority of the

CPM then based in Southern Thailand laid down their arms. The

complete end of hostilities happened in the early to mid 1990's

when the remaining stragglers stopped aggressions.

Edited September 2, 2012 by sunshine51

[simple1]

Malaysia, during the 50 and 60 had the same problem, They created an organization, which was joint operations of police, and military called VAT 69. Operations were set up to remove the people away from they terrorist, they were called Statigic Hamlets. VAT 69 eliminated the problem, freed the people from fear. They used they same strategy as the terrorist.

VAT 69...Very Able Troopers...was founded in 1969 to deal with the

Communists who operated from bases in Thailand and jungle

hideouts in Malaysia. 69 was trained by the SAS. The Strategic

Hamlet Programme was well in place by then and started by the

Brits during the beginning of the Malayan Emergency to keep

the Non Communist Chinese population away from confrontations

with the mainly ethnic Chinese Communist Party of Malaya or

CPM. The Malayan Emergency ran from 1948 to 1960 then again

from 1967 to the semi official end in 1989 when the majority of the

CPM then based in Southern Thailand laid down their arms. The

complete end of hostilities happened in the early to mid 1990's

when the remaining stragglers stopped aggressions.

You have previously referenced the success of the British strategy & tactics during the Malaya Emergency. In your opinion what are the lessons learned that could be utilised for the current situation in the Deep South. If no applicable lessons to be utilised I suppose this is due to the majority of the population being sympathetic to the cause of autonomy, but not the method being used i.e. terrorism - in your opinion is this correct?

[impulse]

BTW, I was in Songkhla town on business last week and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The beaches are great, clean and uncrowded. The water is clean and green up to shore and it's blue pretty close in.

Graduation was happening and there were huge families of Muslims and non-Muslims sharing the beach and the shade trees right off the beach.

I was totally unmolested by hookers, lady boys or beggars so common at other beach towns. There can't be a tuk-tuk or taxi mafia because I don't remember seeing any tuk-tuks or taxis. The scooter guys took me where I asked and charge me peanuts. Lots of baht buses, but I didn't try them.

There are great hotels, and cheap.

Honestly, I realize there is some strife in the area, but have been down there several times, never had a problem and always been treated with kindness and patience. Obviously I don't have the statistics to prove it, but I feel my chances of being run over by a taxi or Mercedes in Bangkok are much higher than being hurt in an attack in Songkhla town. Maybe not as dramatic, but just as dead in a car accident- and those happen every day.

I can't speak for the rest of the south, but Songkhla town is a-otay for me.

Edited September 5, 2012 by impulse

[jackr]

^^ Yep, cool town, and folk there are generally a lot more friendly than in the north IMO, though there is also a shifty element and it's worth knowing where you are at night. Just to be clear, though, the scum causing all this strife are definitely in the monitory.

The Green World Hotel was targetted in a bomb attack a few years back, about the time the airport and Hat Yai were also bombed--the bike outside the Swan pub was almost certainly placed to take out foreigners.

On a lighter note, it has taxis (private, main intersection by the school) and tuk-tuks (four-wheel type, as in Phuket).

/I guess the four-wheelers are somewhat of a tuk-tuk/songthaew cross//

Edited September 5, 2012 by jackr

[sunshine51]

@ impulse & jackr...

Can't agree with you folks more...dam_n nice town!

Narathiwat town in itself is also nice along the lines

of Songkla Town but one needs to have a bit more

situational awareness.