30 Armed Men Storm Volunteer Base, Steal All Weaponry Available: Pattani

[webfact]

Armed men storm volunteer base

Parez Lohasan,

Santhiti Khorjitmet

The Nation

PATTANI: -- Close to dawn yesterday some 30 men stormed into the base of territorial defence volunteers in Pattani's Kapho district and made off with all the weaponry available.

"I was having my coffee when five men suddenly burst in, and just as I was reaching for my gun on the table, one of them came and pressed his weapon against my neck," said Mahama Dengdo, the leader of the base.

He said he put his hands up because he knew that fighting back would only cost him his life.

"Then they gagged me as I was trying to alert my subordinates," he said.

Five volunteers were at the base but they were easily outnumbered when another 10 men broke in. Several other armed men were seen surrounding the base outside. The volunteers were bound and gagged but not harmed.

The intruders made off with four assault rifles, one M16 machine gun, five bulletproof vests, one radio-communications device, five mobile phones and more than 100 rounds of ammunition.

The base is on the Kapho-Sai Buri Road in front of Ban Karubi School.

"Things happened so quickly. They staged the robbery in 15 minutes and left," Mahama said.

After the intruders left, the territorial-defence volunteers managed to untie themselves and alerted police.

Pattani police chief Maj-General Ekkapop Prasitwattanachai then brought over a team of officers to inspect the scene.

"We have launched a manhunt for the robbers," Ekkapop said, adding that he believed the intruders were linked to the RKK (Runda Kumpulan Kecil). "They must be working under the command of Madari Tayeh. His group is active in the area."

In a related development, the authorities issued a resolution to introduce more security measures for teachers in Narathiwat. These additional measures were announced in the wake of last week's shooting that saw one teacher killed and another seriously injured. One of the additional measures is providing a security escort for teachers at all times, not just during their trip to school and back.

Also, the number of security personnel in the escort team will be increased and relevant authorities will determine the risk faced by each teacher and make special arrangements for those deemed at higher risk.

This southern border province is predominantly Muslim and there are concerns that insurgents are targeting Buddhists.

-- The Nation 2012-12-08

[dcutman]

So we have 30 armed terrorist, that normally kill indiscriminately, break in to a volunteer defense base, knowing there is armed security inside, steal all the weapons, and miraculously none of the guards were killed or injured.

I really do hope the police are taking a good look at some of these defense volunteers, cuz this story stinks of an inside job.

[arthurboy]

Shambles.

30 men stormed into the base of territorial defence volunteers and the general knows who they're dealing with. "We have launched a manhunt for the robbers," Ekkapop said, adding that he believed the intruders were linked to the RKK (Runda Kumpulan Kecil). "They must be working under the command of Madari Tayeh. His group is active in the area."

Really. So do something then.

[RickBradford]

Very well timed.

Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung has affirmed yesterday that Thailand is not a country of terrorism after it was ranked eighth in the global terrorism index by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Police Captain Chalerm downplayed the ranking by the US agency and attributed the misunderstanding to recent political protests in the country. He expressed confidence towards the operation of immigration police, the special branch police and other security units.

[noitom]

As another post indicated, it's definitely an inside job.

[siampolee]

Mr.Chalerm, what are your views on this matter ?

No doubt a high spirited prank by a local bunch of comedians in your view?

[ChrisY1]

dam_n these "non-terrorist" people!!...What a cheek.....

It probably was an inside job....but now they've run away with the guns!...bugger!!!

[Briggsy]

If you can muster 30 men in a relatively remote area to mount an attack and they they melt back into the populus, it strikes me that the majority of people there support autonomy.

Why not give them more autonomy if that is what the majority want?

[jcw]

Very well timed.

Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung has affirmed yesterday that Thailand is not a country of terrorism after it was ranked eighth in the global terrorism index by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Police Captain Chalerm downplayed the ranking by the US agency and attributed the misunderstanding to recent political protests in the country. He expressed confidence towards the operation of immigration police, the special branch police and other security units.

8th, Holy Cow Poo, do you have a link Sir?

[hellodolly]

If you can muster 30 men in a relatively remote area to mount an attack and they they melt back into the populus, it strikes me that the majority of people there support autonomy.

Why not give them more autonomy if that is what the majority want?

You have been struck by a blow of stupidity lack of knowledge. The people there are afraid to turn them in as they know full well and good that they and their families would be on the recieving end of the stolen weaponary.

Some one please tell Chalerm as I am sure he will justify it and say we have no problems with terrorism

[whybother]

What are volunteers doing looking after an armoury??? (or not, as the case seems to be)

[sunshine51]

"30 men stormed into the base of territorial defence volunteers and the general knows who they're dealing with. "We have launched a manhunt for the robbers," Ekkapop said, adding that he believed the intruders were linked to the RKK (Runda Kumpulan Kecil). "They must be working under the command of Madari Tayeh. His group is active in the area."

Ekkapop...you're sacked...leave your weapons at the desk as you leave...all of them.

So Mr. Chalerm...what ya gotta say about this?

[sunshine51]

What are volunteers doing looking after an armoury??? (or not, as the case seems to be)

Remember...a few years back when the terrorists raided an RTA base and stole

heaps of weapons? Hmmmmmmm.....somebody's head should be on a pike

but sadly it most likely will be some innocent human far removed from anything

to do with these "troubles".

[macksview]

hate to say it but "inside job" screams all around this,spare your lives (for now) and just hand over the equipment.

some old infantry boys on the forum with expertise in infantry minor tatics,might shed some light on how they would have planned a similar operation,but it sounded pretty organised to me.

1 team suppresing the "resistance",1 team securing the desired items, and a large group of perimeter security.

i dont think these terrorists were idiots,except the defence volunteers were able to free themselves from the binding,makes it sound more fishy to me.

but i am not living there,terrified to work my farm,go to work,visit the shops,dreading my children/grandchildren being attacked on the trip to school.

[Tywais]

What are volunteers doing looking after an armoury??? (or not, as the case seems to be)

"The intruders made off with four assault rifles, one M16 machine gun"

Sounds more like just a few guns lying about.

In the words of Dundee - You call that an armory, this is an armory.

[tomross46]

This must be a dream of the press. CHALERM has said that there are no terrorist in Thailand! He is the DPM and is in the know, he is from the government and they are here to help you.

[oldsailor35]

"Chief major general Ekkapop then brought over a team of officers"................no doubt to have a photo session !

[RickBradford]

Very well timed.

Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung has affirmed yesterday that Thailand is not a country of terrorism after it was ranked eighth in the global terrorism index by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Police Captain Chalerm downplayed the ranking by the US agency and attributed the misunderstanding to recent political protests in the country. He expressed confidence towards the operation of immigration police, the special branch police and other security units.

8th, Holy Cow Poo, do you have a link Sir?

[siampolee]

Never would have happened had these lads been on duty at the armory

.

[EarthAlien]

The intruders made off with four assault rifles, one M16 machine gun, five bulletproof vests, one radio-communications device, five mobile phones and more than 100 rounds of ammunition.

Seems like the vests would have been of the most value in this raid!

[Tanaka]

"Suddenly armed men burst in". So the doors to the "armory" were open or not locked? Sounds like Thai professionals. Oh, right, they were not pros, but volunteers. Eh, volunteers to do what? Guard guns? Did they have a big sign outside pointing to the door too, saying "Here they are, come and get them!"?

This is pathetic, even for Thais.

[BigSkip]

If you can muster 30 men in a relatively remote area to mount an attack and they they melt back into the populus, it strikes me that the majority of people there support autonomy.

Why not give them more autonomy if that is what the majority want?

You have been struck by a blow of stupidity lack of knowledge. The people there are afraid to turn them in as they know full well and good that they and their families would be on the recieving end of the stolen weaponary.

Some one please tell Chalerm as I am sure he will justify it and say we have no problems with terrorism

couldn't say it any better.............

[Rancid]

Was discussing terrorism in the South with the wife today. One question I posed was that if you were a Jihadist intent on creating a Muslim Caliphate in the South then why go around killing teachers and rubber workers? If I were a good Muslim sociopath, presumably well advised by experienced phychopaths, I would be setting off bombs in Pattaya, Phuket and Bangkok (we all know where) to destroy tourism and bring the government to the bargaining table, yet we don't see this. Read somewhere an analysis that suggested that many parties are profitting nicely with this little uprising, don't know whether true or not, but it does make you wonder. The governmnet doesn't go all out and neither do the Islamists, is there some sort of deal in place where certain things are allowed and not others, such as a wider bombing scenario?

[Credo]

Moving the insurgency outside the southern area would be difficult, costly and require a really strong network. Many of the Muslims outside of the southern provinces are not particularly sympathetic to the southern insurgency--many are not Malay in origin or if so, they are culturally not strongly connected to their roots.

The area that they want is the one for which they are fighting and it is much easier to recruit, train and commit acts against the people in that area.

[ratcatcher]

Never would have happened had these lads been on duty at the armory

.

United with these guys below, nothing would have gone missing. A potent force indeed!

Chalerm, are you paying attention? Do you have a cunning plan?

[weegee]

Shambles.

30 men stormed into the base of territorial defence volunteers and the general knows who they're dealing with. "We have launched a manhunt for the robbers," Ekkapop said, adding that he believed the intruders were linked to the RKK (Runda Kumpulan Kecil). "They must be working under the command of Madari Tayeh. His group is active in the area."

Really. So do something then.

Yep....they are right under your nose!!!!!!!!! INSIDE JOB!!!!!! for sure

[unanimosity]

If you can muster 30 men in a relatively remote area to mount an attack and they they melt back into the populus, it strikes me that the majority of people there support autonomy.

Why not give them more autonomy if that is what the majority want?

You have been struck by a blow of stupidity lack of knowledge. The people there are afraid to turn them in as they know full well and good that they and their families would be on the recieving end of the stolen weaponary.

Some one please tell Chalerm as I am sure he will justify it and say we have no problems with terrorism

Especially after the authorities and press publish the names, addresses, and jobs of the whistlebowers.

[chrisinth]

"Suddenly armed men burst in". So the doors to the "armory" were open or not locked? Sounds like Thai professionals. Oh, right, they were not pros, but volunteers. Eh, volunteers to do what? Guard guns? Did they have a big sign outside pointing to the door too, saying "Here they are, come and get them!"?

This is pathetic, even for Thais.

"The intruders made off with four assault rifles, one M16 machine gun, five bulletproof vests, one radio-communications device, five mobile phones and more than 100 rounds of ammunition".

The "haul" of weapons looks like personal issued weapons and ammunition only considering there were only 5 there. I think the M16 is a typo and should read M60, unless they have another definition of assault rifles and machine guns..................

Not sure where the armoury bit came from ?

[Meetoo]

hate to say it but "inside job" screams all around this,spare your lives (for now) and just hand over the equipment.

some old infantry boys on the forum with expertise in infantry minor tatics,might shed some light on how they would have planned a similar operation,but it sounded pretty organised to me.

1 team suppresing the "resistance",1 team securing the desired items, and a large group of perimeter security.

i dont think these terrorists were idiots,except the defence volunteers were able to free themselves from the binding,makes it sound more fishy to me.

but i am not living there,terrified to work my farm,go to work,visit the shops,dreading my children/grandchildren being attacked on the trip to school.

Once again where is the hummm.... yes, oops almost lost that name again .... our beautiful and wonderful miss PM these days .... ?? Underground for some odd reasons or as i said in another post... caught up in a Black Friday shopping spree somewhere in the materialistic world of Barbie Doll....?? Total silence from the Missy..? A bit weird nah...??

[khaowong1]

"Chief major general Ekkapop then brought over a team of officers"................no doubt to have a photo session !

Photo session of what? footprints, empty guns lockers? Poopy pants?