Eleven Dead In Thai Militant Attacks: Police

[webfact]

Eleven dead in Thai militant attacks: police

BANGKOK, Oct 9, 2012 (AFP) - Suspected Muslim militants have shot dead 11 people including three paramilitary rangers in a single day of bloodshed in Thailand's insurgency-plagued deep south, police said Tuesday.

The rangers were ambushed while travelling in a pick-up truck on Monday in Pattani province in the Muslim-majority border region, where an eight-year conflict has claimed thousands of lives.

On the same day, four Buddhist rubber tappers died on their way to work in two separate gun attacks in Pattani, while a pair of Muslim men were killed in a drive-by shooting in neighbouring Yala province, police said.

Two vegetable vendors were also shot dead in Songkhla province, which had been relatively untouched by the violence until a number of attacks this year, including a series of car bombs in April that left 15 people dead.

A complex insurgency calling for greater autonomy has plagued Thailand's far south near the border with Malaysia since 2004, claiming more than 5,300 lives, both Buddhist and Muslim, with near daily bomb or gun attacks.

The authorities said in August they were holding informal peace talks with some Muslim insurgent groups, in an apparent policy reversal that followed a spike in attacks.

"Some militant groups don't want a peaceful solution so they look for an opportunity to terrorise people," southern army spokesman Colonel Pramote Prom-in told AFP on Tuesday.

"We're trying to find measures to prevent this kind of violence but still haven't succeeded," he added.

The militants are not thought to be part of a global jihad movement but are rebelling against a history of perceived discrimination against ethnic Malay Muslims by successive Thai governments and alleged rights abuses by the army.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-10-09

[apetley]

How many more times must we read "ambushed whilst travelling in a pickup truck" or "whilst on a motorbike"?

When are the armed forces going to be issued with the mere basics of protective equipment?

[falkan]

how about armed personnel carrier and some drones?

[Konini]

One of the saddest things is nobody outside Thailand knows, and no Thai not living in the South cares. I talked to all of my family earlier this year about the number of bomb and deaths in the last few years. Nobody had any idea of it, not even my mum who watches nothing but BBC news and occasionally Al Jazeera and considers herself fairly well imformed about world affairs. Maybe one this big with 11 deaths will get a mention on BBC world or CNN, depending on how slow a news day it is, but usually there's nothing unless you go to the web site (BBC, don't know about CNN). Just another couple of people killed in a long running political dispute isn't newsworthy enough unless big or involving foreigners, where the country of origin of the deceased's media may pick it up.

[asiawatcher]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

[jerrysteve]

falkan: Drones are a great idea! I am sure the military must know where these bas turds are. Helocopter gun ships would work too as back up overseeing the troops on the ground. The military as absolutely no chance.

Drones cost money. My guess is they do not have enough money to purchase that kind of hardware, but it would definetly be worth the price.

Those militants seem to outsmart the military every single time, in this type of warfare they military lacks any edge at all.

This is definetly no POLICE action, its <deleted> WAR.

Edited October 9, 2012 by jerrysteve

[hellodolly]

One of the saddest things is nobody outside Thailand knows, and no Thai not living in the South cares. I talked to all of my family earlier this year about the number of bomb and deaths in the last few years. Nobody had any idea of it, not even my mum who watches nothing but BBC news and occasionally Al Jazeera and considers herself fairly well imformed about world affairs. Maybe one this big with 11 deaths will get a mention on BBC world or CNN, depending on how slow a news day it is, but usually there's nothing unless you go to the web site (BBC, don't know about CNN). Just another couple of people killed in a long running political dispute isn't newsworthy enough unless big or involving foreigners, where the country of origin of the deceased's media may pick it up.

Part of the problem is it is not a political dispute. It is armed militants acting on Islamic beliefs. [Kill the infidels] Thailand has more deaths than any other country at the hands of these rebellious thugs. Mohammed would be proud of them.

[hellodolly]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

I hate to agree with you but sadly there is no choice. The area has always been part of one kingdom or another never had autonomy and obviously dosen't have the brain power to set it up. Malaysia dosen't want them and we are stuck with them as you say they will not accept peace. From all I can see it is not a part of their religion war is the only way to stop them.

[RomanGladiator]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

How?

[lemonjelly]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

You've asked them all then?

[smutcakes]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

I would be quite interested for you to expand on this. Are you saying that all muslim malays and muslim Thais's do not want peace, and therefore want the violence to continue? Am i reading that correctly? and what is the appropiate reaction?

[Thai at Heart]

How many more times must we read "ambushed whilst travelling in a pickup truck" or "whilst on a motorbike"?

When are the armed forces going to be issued with the mere basics of protective equipment?

There is tonnes of armour sitting around idle in army bases all over the place. Why it isn't sent down South I don't know? These guys deserve protection, since it isn't as though Isaan is expecting an invasion from Cambodia or Laos any time soon.

[harryfrompattaya]

One of the saddest things is nobody outside Thailand knows, and no Thai not living in the South cares. I talked to all of my family earlier this year about the number of bomb and deaths in the last few years. Nobody had any idea of it, not even my mum who watches nothing but BBC news and occasionally Al Jazeera and considers herself fairly well imformed about world affairs. Maybe one this big with 11 deaths will get a mention on BBC world or CNN, depending on how slow a news day it is, but usually there's nothing unless you go to the web site (BBC, don't know about CNN). Just another couple of people killed in a long running political dispute isn't newsworthy enough unless big or involving foreigners, where the country of origin of the deceased's media may pick it up.

Maybe no one cares is because this is normal in all countries to be killed by Muslims for some reason. I only went to the third grade and did not finish the year so I do not known why Muslims like to non Muslims that is the problem

[hellodolly]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

I would be quite interested for you to expand on this. Are you saying that all muslim malays and muslim Thais's do not want peace, and therefore want the violence to continue? Am i reading that correctly? and what is the appropiate reaction?

My take on it is the Muslims know who is doing it and take no action to stop them. Not exactly a over whelming desire for peace is it? Have you ever heard of a Muslim trying to stop the violence by action. NO but they will tell you they are peaceful.

[RomanGladiator]

How many more times must we read "ambushed whilst travelling in a pickup truck" or "whilst on a motorbike"?

When are the armed forces going to be issued with the mere basics of protective equipment?

There is tonnes of armour sitting around idle in army bases all over the place. Why it isn't sent down South I don't know? These guys deserve protection, since it isn't as though Isaan is expecting an invasion from Cambodia or Laos any time soon.

Good post.

[Soupdragon]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

I would be quite interested for you to expand on this. Are you saying that all muslim malays and muslim Thais's do not want peace, and therefore want the violence to continue? Am i reading that correctly? and what is the appropiate reaction?

My take on it is the Muslims know who is doing it and take no action to stop them. Not exactly a over whelming desire for peace is it? Have you ever heard of a Muslim trying to stop the violence by action. NO but they will tell you they are peaceful.

For a muslim to take action against another muslim, verbally or physically, to protect a non muslim, seems to be a no go.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

One of the saddest things is nobody outside Thailand knows, and no Thai not living in the South cares. I talked to all of my family earlier this year about the number of bomb and deaths in the last few years. Nobody had any idea of it, not even my mum who watches nothing but BBC news and occasionally Al Jazeera and considers herself fairly well imformed about world affairs. Maybe one this big with 11 deaths will get a mention on BBC world or CNN, depending on how slow a news day it is, but usually there's nothing unless you go to the web site (BBC, don't know about CNN). Just another couple of people killed in a long running political dispute isn't newsworthy enough unless big or involving foreigners, where the country of origin of the deceased's media may pick it up.

My take on it is the Thai rulers (since 2004) don't want this to be world news as they are worried that it will scare tourists and investors away from Thailand.

[Thai at Heart]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

I would be quite interested for you to expand on this. Are you saying that all muslim malays and muslim Thais's do not want peace, and therefore want the violence to continue? Am i reading that correctly? and what is the appropiate reaction?

My take on it is the Muslims know who is doing it and take no action to stop them. Not exactly a over whelming desire for peace is it? Have you ever heard of a Muslim trying to stop the violence by action. NO but they will tell you they are peaceful.

For a muslim to take action against another muslim, verbally or physically, to protect a non muslim, seems to be a no go.

Sadly it appears that what you say to be an ABSOLUTE truth.

[KireB]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

I would be quite interested for you to expand on this. Are you saying that all muslim malays and muslim Thais's do not want peace, and therefore want the violence to continue? Am i reading that correctly? and what is the appropiate reaction?

My take on it is the Muslims know who is doing it and take no action to stop them. Not exactly a over whelming desire for peace is it? Have you ever heard of a Muslim trying to stop the violence by action. NO but they will tell you they are peaceful.

Nonsense, the overwhelming majority of Muslims in the South want peace but are too afraid to step forward. I wouldn't if it might mean that my entire family might get shot or decapitated!

[Rancid]

How many more times must we read "ambushed whilst travelling in a pickup truck" or "whilst on a motorbike"?

When are the armed forces going to be issued with the mere basics of protective equipment?

There is tonnes of armour sitting around idle in army bases all over the place. Why it isn't sent down South I don't know? These guys deserve protection, since it isn't as though Isaan is expecting an invasion from Cambodia or Laos any time soon.

The bulk of the armed forces, elite troops and best equipment has to be constantly based in and around the main cities. This is so it can be brought to bear quickly for the next coup. Really is a matter of priorities and business interests of course.

[Sayonarax]

Are you sure there's really a problem down south? I don't think there is.. lets wait and see if it will go away.

[hellodolly]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

I would be quite interested for you to expand on this. Are you saying that all muslim malays and muslim Thais's do not want peace, and therefore want the violence to continue? Am i reading that correctly? and what is the appropiate reaction?

My take on it is the Muslims know who is doing it and take no action to stop them. Not exactly a over whelming desire for peace is it? Have you ever heard of a Muslim trying to stop the violence by action. NO but they will tell you they are peaceful.

Nonsense, the overwhelming majority of Muslims in the South want peace but are too afraid to step forward. I wouldn't if it might mean that my entire family might get shot or decapitated!

You don't really believe when they parked that car loaded with bombs in a busy area they checked to see if your relatives were there. Wake up they don't care who they kill. It is in there nature and as a previous poster said to resist them is not the Muslim way. They claim to be peaceful yet they walk around every day knowing their life is in danger and still won't raise a finger to defend it. You have a strange idea of wanting peace.

Like me sitting on a bench wanting 2,000,000 baht and not doing any thing to get it even though I know how. Ain't going to happen.

[OZEMADE]

Issued by Australia

This was last updated on the 5th Oct. I reckon it will get a bit more attention now.

Thailand

HomeTravel AdviceThailand

Thailand overall

• Exercise normal safety precautions
  
• Exercise a high degree of caution
  
• Reconsider your need to travel
  
• Do not travel
  

Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla

• Exercise normal safety precautions
  
• Exercise a high degree of caution
  
• Reconsider your need to travel
  
• Do not travel
  

Latest update

This Advice was last issued on Friday, 05 October 2012. It contains new information under Terrorism (recent incidents in the south) and Local travel (international flights resumed from Don Mueang airport in Bangkok in October). We continue to advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand due to the threat of terrorist attack, particularly in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla, where we advise you not to travel.

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

[hellodolly]

One of the saddest things is nobody outside Thailand knows, and no Thai not living in the South cares. I talked to all of my family earlier this year about the number of bomb and deaths in the last few years. Nobody had any idea of it, not even my mum who watches nothing but BBC news and occasionally Al Jazeera and considers herself fairly well imformed about world affairs. Maybe one this big with 11 deaths will get a mention on BBC world or CNN, depending on how slow a news day it is, but usually there's nothing unless you go to the web site (BBC, don't know about CNN). Just another couple of people killed in a long running political dispute isn't newsworthy enough unless big or involving foreigners, where the country of origin of the deceased's media may pick it up.

My take on it is the Thai rulers (since 2004) don't want this to be world news as they are worried that it will scare tourists and investors away from Thailand.

When I first decided to call Thailand home in 2006 a friend of mine back in Canada had moved to Australia a few years earlier and she warned me that Thailand could be dangerous. I had no idea of what she was talking about. Back in North America there was no talk of danger. We knew there had been a coup but we saw a picture of a tank in Bangkok with a old lady handing up a rose to some one in the tank.

Even with all that has happened with the red/black shirt terrorists I do not believe the world knows how bad it really is here in Thailand particularly the south. I would say that less than 1% of the Western world knows of the Municipal buildings and fire engines out side of Bangkok that were burned down by the terrorists.

I find the Thai people to be very friendly but I am still wary of the Muslims. If there is one thing you can't do it is charge them with being peace loving. Look at the countries that are almost 100% Muslim. Yes you may charge them with saying they are peace loving.

Here in Chiang Mai they built a new modern Mosque and a elderly friend of mine used to go down and watch them every morning. Being as they were mostly Muslims building it I asked him if he had any problem he said no for the most part they were friendly. But there was 4 or 5 who showed they disapproved of him.

[lizardtongue]

How many more times must we read "ambushed whilst travelling in a pickup truck" or "whilst on a motorbike"?

When are the armed forces going to be issued with the mere basics of protective equipment?

Only three of the eleven victims were Rangers killed whilst in a pick up the other unfortunate people were Buddhist rubber plantation workers and street vendors who were probably on foot going about their daily business.

How can they be protected other than the army providing armed escorts for everyone in the province? It really is a sad state of affairs down there, one that the Thai Gov. appears to have no answer to.

[geovalin]

Imagine eleven dead persons in a western country in such an ambush! Population would be horrified.

Here, newspapers just mind about rice scheme or 3G or Red shirts meeting Thaksin!

[cberm82]

Many of these people have been pushed to brink as well. You list Muslims being unhappy in the Middle East, this is the result of foreign policy and exploitation of all their resources for many years.

The Thai's in the South have a very low quality of life and have been kept down by the higher class for so many years and this is the result. People take extreme measures when they forced into extreme situations. Why do Muslims get such a bad rap, our countries sit back and profit from their exploitation and when they turn around and fight back it's called terrorism. What a joke.

Look at some of the actions Thailand has taken. The murdering of 2500 innocent civilians in the South 8 years ago, the Tak Bai incident, which involved the suffocation of 78 Muslims.

Know the facts before you start throwing out accusations and calling for war on a oppressed group of people. It's the same as telling the Iraqi people to behave after the US went in raped, pillaged and bombed their country while the world sat back and watched

[TheGhostWithin]

I have extended family members who have been killed in Yala, the lack of support by the Thai government is appalling.

Simply throwing more bodies does not solve the terrorist problem, the US has proven that now in Iraq, and the Indonesians have proven that by having smaller, specialised and very well equipped units to deal with the true "infidels", or Kaffirs (non-believers) of humanity.

Imagine a world where women carry hand guns in their cars, and children have guns in their rooms, this is the reality of the south. Imagine a world where you cannot have your phone on when you drive, because it may set off an IED. This is the south. A man I met only 2 years ago in Yala was killed in Tambon Yaha a few weeks ago, and the noodle restaurant we frequented for the best Kuay Teaw in Yala was bombed in last years bombing attack in Yala which left an entire street destroyed, so I speak from experience.

Until drones are bought in, and specialist foreign intelligence specialists are bought in to work alongside local talent, this problem will never be solved. There also needs to be a heavy movement-tracking (and recording) system in place, as patterns in events will be picked up. The initial cost would be recouped by a reduction in military presence over time.

Islam is the excuse, Yaba and Intimidation are the reasons. And no, the Muslim community does not want peace, because you are the Kaffir, you are lower than them in every way.

Do you fight for the land you sleep on, or do you run? My extended family stay and fight, every day.

[jonb1942]

Life is tough,it is even tougher when your stuped. John Wayne

I hate to sound radical but they do need to do somthing that will get the musie's attention,naypom comes to mine.

[asiawatcher]

The solution lies in the problem. Muslim Malays and Muslim Thai's do not want peace. React accordingly.

I would be quite interested for you to expand on this. Are you saying that all muslim malays and muslim Thais's do not want peace, and therefore want the violence to continue? Am i reading that correctly? and what is the appropiate reaction?

I would raise the issue from within the Muslim circles. The continuing claims of the 'religion' being peaceful is utter crap. They (Muslims) are ignoring the fact they can, yet will not, address the issues from within their own ranks. For Islam to have any credibility the solution lies within their own ranks. They need to take control, remove the separatists, the stalwart clerics and integrate with other societies. After all, like the bible, this was written by man and continues to vary at each reprint. This is not some magical piece of paper - it was written long before any of us and does not take into account where we are at in the present. In fact - it remains in the dark ages using stoning, beheadings et al, all part of a dark violent history which should be modified and removed.

Freedom of choice to practice (without threats), still remains but should they not care to be part of this peaceful country's existence or Thai way of life, then simply go and live amongst your own people, without violence where you are most comfortable. No amount of outside force from Thai military or police will solve this issue, only compound it.

For the argument regarding land and relatives, by all means, put forward your cases to remain, but Muslims must address the core issue, the violence perpetrated on others from within their own ranks. They know who they are - they just need to do something about it. If they request assistance then so be it, then and only then should there be government intervention. Cheers