Four traders killed in insurgency-hit Thai south

YALA, Thailand, Feb 5, 2013 (AFP) - Four fruit traders were shot dead by suspected militants in Thailand's unrest-hit south early on Tuesday, an army spokesman told AFP.

The bodies of the victims, a woman and three men, were found with their hands and legs bound in a warehouse they used as a base for their business in Krong Pinang district of Yala province.

Army spokesman Colonel Pramote Promin said they were Buddhists from the eastern Thai province of Rayong who regularly travelled to the Muslim-majority south to buy fruit.

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"These people come to buy fruits in three southern provinces (Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani) like durian and longkong... they were familiar with the area and people," he said, adding a fifth trader escaped the attack.

Thailand's government has tried to stimulate the conflict-wracked southern economy by encouraging traders to buy fruit, rubber and other local produce for sale in the rest of the country.

But insurgents, who are fighting for greater autonomy for the southernmost provinces, perceive people with links to the government as collaborators and legitimate targets in their nine-year war.

On Febuary 1, militants opened fire on a truck-load of volunteers training farmers in Pattani province in rice-planting techniques, killing two and wounding a dozen others.

The militants believe outsiders seeking to boost the economy will "make them lose support and are exploiting resources from the area", Piya Kijthavorn, deputy secretary of Southern Border Province Administration Center (SBPAC) told AFP.

Near daily attacks -- including shootings, bombings and even beheadings -- mean violence is a part of life for many in Thailand's far south.

More than 5,300 people, both Buddhist and Muslim, have been killed since 2004, according to local conflict monitor Deep South Watch.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-02-05

Four fruit traders shot dead in Yala

By Digital Media

YALA, Feb 5 – Police said unidentified gunmen killed four fruit traders in this violence-plagued province early Tuesday.

Four traders, a couple and two men from the eastern province of Rayong, were killed at a house in Krongpinang district at about 1am Tuesday.

According to preliminary police investigation, a group of seven gunmen in black outfits arrived in a pick-up truck, tied the victims’ hands behind their backs and shot them dead.

The police presumed that the killing may either relate to a fruit business conflict or the southern insurgency.

The killings took place in less than a week after two rice-farming teachers from the central provinces were killed in Pattani.

Two trainers from the central provinces of Suphan Buri and Singburi went to the nearby southern province to train local farmers to work under Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s project in abandoned paddy fields. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-02-05

Well this will help the economic prosperity of the area. But then again, prosperity doesn't breed discontent.

I am against torture. How ever when I see rthe wanton killing of people at the rate it is going on in the south while many of the people know the names and location of the perpetrators but refuse to divulge it.

Well I must admit some one getting hurt to save over 5,000 lives dosen't look like to bad of a trade off.

Just thinking.

I am against torture. How ever when I see rthe wanton killing of people at the rate it is going on in the south while many of the people know the names and location of the perpetrators but refuse to divulge it.

Well I must admit some one getting hurt to save over 5,000 lives dosen't look like to bad of a trade off.

Just thinking.

Keep thinking, the army and the police have been employing torture for decades, yes, decades, and it hasn't helped them eradicate either the insurgency or the lawlessness.

Perhaps stopping the torture and extrajudicial execution by the army will allow a political dialogue to begin. Currently, if any local leader professes less than 100% loyalty to the fundamental concepts of Thai nationhood, they may well end up on a government hitlist. There is no Sinn Fein or ETA here.

The police presumed that the killing may either relate to a fruit business conflict or the southern insurgency.

Really, well it wasn't suicide, was it? That dumb assed statement - either from the police or the reporter - about sums up this whole sorry mess.

And in the meantime, on another thread the Culture Minister is yacking on about how upset Thai people are about a spoof vid.

Get your priorities right Thailand; get upset about the murders in the south and do something to stop the killing.

Now.

Very sad cowardly act on unarmed ordinary folk.

SOUTHERN CRISIS

Four fruit traders shot dead in Yala

YALA: -- Armed men early Tuesday morning tied up four Buddhist fruit traders then shot them in the heads one by one in the latest gruesome insurgency attack in the deep southern province of Yala.

Police found the bodies of the victims, who included a woman, with their hands still tied behind their backs, in a house in Krong Pinang district at about 1am.

The four, a couple and two men, were from the eastern province of Rayong .They were identified as Thavorn Suvannachote, 35 and his wife; Tassana Toomporn, 25, Sutat Somroob, 37 and Somchai Ruenrom, 30.

According to the initial police investigation, a group of seven gunmen dressed in black arrived in a pickup, ambushed the group who were in the middle of dinner, tied the victims' hands behind their backs and shot them dead.

Police suspected the shootings are the work of an insurgent group led by Issamaae Layalong, which has been involved in the killings of police, soldiers and villagers in Krong Pinang district.

The killings took place in less than a week after two ricefarming teachers from the central provinces were killed in Pattani.

Two trainers from the central provinces of Suphan Buri and Singburi went to the southern province to train local farmers to work under Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's project in abandoned paddy fields.

-- The Nation 2013-02-05

I repeat what I said recently. Bring in mercenaries who can infiltrate and take out these insurgents. Mossad would be high on my list. The police and army are simply abject failures.

I repeat what I said recently. Bring in mercenaries who can infiltrate and take out these insurgents. Mossad would be high on my list. The police and army are simply abject failures.

ํำYep, there are folk out there that could make a difference here but l think you know the ''face'' thing here about stuff will not allow ''interference''.

Would these mercenaries also be allowed to take out murderous police and army gangs who finance themselves with various nefarious activities such as drug, petrol and cigarette smuggling and wildlife trafficking in between carrying out extra-judicial executions? It would only be fair. Level playing field and all that.

5 people turned up at the same spot with a whole lot of money and four got killed.

I would be sus on the guy that got away !

Would these mercenaries also be allowed to take out murderous police and army gangs who finance themselves with various nefarious activities such as drug, petrol and cigarette smuggling and wildlife trafficking in between carrying out extra-judicial executions? It would only be fair. Level playing field and all that.

You seem bound and determined to justify the unjustifiable. Perhaps you could bring us up to date on all the brutality and torture being inflicted on the poor down trodden people of the south so far this year. I have lost track of the killings. Strange well not really we are 5 weeks into the new year and already I have lost track of the4 number of killings.

I eagerly await your list of torture and extra-judicial executions in the last 5 weeks.

Common sense tells us that torture properly applied to people will reveal information.

If you don't believe me check with the CIA in the states. If water boarding is not torture use it.

Would these mercenaries also be allowed to take out murderous police and army gangs who finance themselves with various nefarious activities such as drug, petrol and cigarette smuggling and wildlife trafficking in between carrying out extra-judicial executions? It would only be fair. Level playing field and all that.

You overlooked weapons smuggling and human trafficking

Would these mercenaries also be allowed to take out murderous police and army gangs who finance themselves with various nefarious activities such as drug, petrol and cigarette smuggling and wildlife trafficking in between carrying out extra-judicial executions? It would only be fair. Level playing field and all that.

You seem bound and determined to justify the unjustifiable. Perhaps you could bring us up to date on all the brutality and torture being inflicted on the poor down trodden people of the south so far this year. I have lost track of the killings. Strange well not really we are 5 weeks into the new year and already I have lost track of the4 number of killings.

I eagerly await your list of torture and extra-judicial executions in the last 5 weeks.

Common sense tells us that torture properly applied to people will reveal information.

If you don't believe me check with the CIA in the states. If water boarding is not torture use it.

I just did & an ex CIA officer claims information obtained by torture is unreliable. Shaikh Mohammed, who was water boarded 183 times (why if it's so effective) constantly mislead his torturers. To claim water boarding is not torture is ridiculous. From history of WW11 US hanged Japanese who used water boarding against prisoners

http://rt.com/news/cia-torture-information-kiriakou-766/

YALA

Yala police chief criticises killings of four vendors

The Nation

YALA: -- A Yala police chief on Tuesday criticised the killings of four fruit traders in Yala as outrageous, saying it was an attack on those who have no ability to fight back.

Pol Maj Gen Pira Boonlieng said the gunmen parked their vehicle in the soi of Krong Pinang police station before walking to the house of the victims.

"The attack was very outrageous and has affected people inside and outside the area, as the victims were from Rayong and came to Yala to buy fruit," he said.

He said those fighting for ideological reasons, no matter where they are, the Philippines, Aceh or other places, fight against other fighters. "No fighters fight with civilians or weaker persons. This attack was carried out against people without the ability to fight back. The gunmen should reconsider their actions."

He expressed confidence that police would be able to take legal action against the gunmen as there was plenty of evidence left at the scene.

"I already ordered a check be made to see if there are other ThaiBuddhists who have come to the area to buy fruits so that we can provide protection for them," he said.

Armed men early Tuesday morning tied up four Buddhist fruit traders then shot them in the head one by one in the latest gruesome insurgency attack in the deep southern province of Yala.

Police found the bodies of the victims, who included a woman, with their hands still tied behind their backs, in a house in Krong Pinang district at about 1am.

The four, a couple and two men, were from the eastern province of Rayong . They were identified as Thavorn Suvannachote, 35 and his wife; Tassana Toomporn, 25, Sutat Somroob, 37 and Somchai Ruenrom, 30.

According to the initial police investigation, a group of seven gunmen dressed in black arrived in a pickup, ambushed the group who were in the middle of dinner, tied the victims' hands behind their backs and shot them dead.

Police suspect the shootings are the work of an insurgent group led by Issamaae Layalong, which has been involved in the killings of police, soldiers and villagers in Krong Pinang district.

-- The Nation 2013-02-05

That's not insurgency that's plain bloody senseless murder.

Would these mercenaries also be allowed to take out murderous police and army gangs who finance themselves with various nefarious activities such as drug, petrol and cigarette smuggling and wildlife trafficking in between carrying out extra-judicial executions? It would only be fair. Level playing field and all that.

You seem bound and determined to justify the unjustifiable. Perhaps you could bring us up to date on all the brutality and torture being inflicted on the poor down trodden people of the south so far this year. I have lost track of the killings. Strange well not really we are 5 weeks into the new year and already I have lost track of the4 number of killings.

I eagerly await your list of torture and extra-judicial executions in the last 5 weeks.

Common sense tells us that torture properly applied to people will reveal information.

If you don't believe me check with the CIA in the states. If water boarding is not torture use it.

I just did & an ex CIA officer claims information obtained by torture is unreliable. Shaikh Mohammed, who was water boarded 183 times (why if it's so effective) constantly mislead his torturers. To claim water boarding is not torture is ridiculous. From history of WW11 US hanged Japanese who used water boarding against prisoners

http://rt.com/news/c...n-kiriakou-766/

Interesting the US fought so hard to say head boarding was not torture and they had received valuable information from it. Now along comes a ex CIA agent who says it is unreliable and points out Shaikh Mohammed who apparently was a remarkable man.

There are times when reality is a bitch and the only thing worse than it is denying it.

I am not suggesting that they take a trained subversive enemy I am suggesting that they take villagers who know where the terrorists are.

It is inhumane but in my opinion letting thousands die instead is even less humane. Who among us would say let them kill me and my family and all those dear to me instead of torturing a few people and putting an end to the wonton killing going on in the South.

Eliminate the terrorists and let peace into the region or as much as Islam will allow.

UPDATE

Four fruit traders shot dead in Yala

The Nation

Execution-style killing of Rayong residents follows murders of trainers

YALA: -- Armed men tied up four Buddhist fruit traders then shot them in the head one by one in the latest gruesome attack in Yala in the deep South early yesterday.

Police found the bodies of the victims, who included a woman, with their hands tied behind their backs, in a house in Krong Pinang district at about 1am.

The four, a couple and two men, were from the eastern province of Rayong. They were identified as Thavorn Suvannachote, 35; his wife Tassana Toomporn, 25; Sutat Somroob, 37; and Somchai Ruenrom, 30. According to initial investigation, seven gunmen dressed in black arrived in a pickup, ambushed the group who were having their dinner, tied their hands behind their backs and shot them dead. Police suspect the shootings are the work of an insurgent group led by Issamaae Layalong, which has been involved in the killing of police, soldiers and villagers in Krong Pinang district.

Pol Maj-General Pira Boonlieng, a Yala police chief, said the gunmen parked their vehicle in the soi of Krong Pinang police station before walking to the victims' house.

"The attack was outrageous and has affected people inside and outside the area, as the victims had come to Yala to buy fruit," he said.

He said people fighting for ideological reasons, no matter where they are - the Philippines, Aceh or other places - fight against other fighters. "No fighters fight with civilians or weaker people. This attack was carried out against people without the ability to fight back. The gunmen should reconsider their actions."

He expressed confidence police would be able to take legal action against the gunmen as there was plenty of evidence at the scene. "I already ordered a check be made to see if there are other Thai-Buddhists who have come to the area to buy fruit so we can provide protection for them," he said.

The killings took place less than a week after two rice-farming teachers from the central provinces were killed in Pattani. Two farmers from the central provinces of Suphan Buri and Singburi were in Yala to train local farmers to work under Her Majesty's project to rehabilitate abandoned paddy fields.

Meanwhile in Pattani, the district chief of Ma-Yor, Pisarn Mawae, who survived an attack in broad daylight on Monday, said he still wanted to continue his work and would be more cautious from now on.

Pisarn and other three officials were in a pickup heading to Muang district when another pickup carrying six gunmen travelling in the opposite direction suddenly switched lanes and blocked their vehicle at an intersection.

The gunmen then opened fire on the district chief's bullet-proof car. After seeing Pisarn's vehicle could take the bullets, one of the gunmen jumped from the vehicle and fired directly at Pisarn. A bullet hit the leg of a 16-year-old female student on a motorcycle who was at the scene of attack.

Pisarn has been district chief at Ma-Yor for about four years. He survived an attack in 2007 when he was serving as chief of Pattani's administration branch.

In related news, a 100-strong army-police team yesterday at 2pm arrested a suspected bomber of the Lee Gardens Hotel in Songkhla on March 31 last year, identified as 36-year-old Jehmha Wani, in Thepa district. Songkhla Court had issued seven warrants for the arrest of Jehmha, three for arson attacks on schools in Chana district in August 2007.

-- The Nation 2013-02-06

I am not suggesting that they take a trained subversive enemy I am suggesting that they take villagers who know where the terrorists are.

fair enough if the security forces then relocate & provide witness protection - I assume you are not suggesting torture of villagers

I am not suggesting that they take a trained subversive enemy I am suggesting that they take villagers who know where the terrorists are.

fair enough if the security forces then relocate & provide witness protection - I assume you are not suggesting torture of villagers

Yes provide witness protection.

That being said I am suggesting any one who has the knowledge.

If properly carried out there would be no need for witness protection. That is the point to the whole thing.

I am a realist and that can be painful at times. I realize TIT hence the witness protection.

I am not suggesting that they take a trained subversive enemy I am suggesting that they take villagers who know where the terrorists are.

fair enough if the security forces then relocate & provide witness protection - I assume you are not suggesting torture of villagers

Yes provide witness protection.

That being said I am suggesting any one who has the knowledge.

If properly carried out there would be no need for witness protection. That is the point to the whole thing.

I am a realist and that can be painful at times. I realize TIT hence the witness protection.

In village communities their is no privacy that's why relocation and protection would be required. Pointing out members of the community to security forces is wide open to abuse,, as happened in places like Afghanistan. Use of torture as a policy will only increase alienation of the civilian population, more recruits to insurgents and further escalation of violence.

The Thais really need to step up the tempo of their activity.. A long time ago now, but take a look at the effort required by the British during the Malaya Emergency to kill just one terrorist. The eventual resolution was a mixture of warfare, hearts & minds, offers of amnesty to the terrorists & last but not least, know your enemy.

Operation Nassau: 60,000 artillery shells, 30,000 rounds of mortar ammunition, and 2,000 aircraft bombs for 35 terrorists killed or captured. Each terrorist killed or captured represented 1,500 man-days of patrolling or waiting in ambushes.

Edited February 6, 201313 yr by simple1

Meanwhile in Pattani, the district chief of Ma-Yor, Pisarn Mawae, who survived an attack in broad daylight on Monday, said he still wanted to continue his work and would be more cautious from now on.

Pisarn and other three officials were in a pickup heading to Muang district when another pickup carrying six gunmen travelling in the opposite direction suddenly switched lanes and blocked their vehicle at an intersection.

The gunmen then opened fire on the district chief's bullet-proof car. After seeing Pisarn's vehicle could take the bullets, one of the gunmen jumped from the vehicle and fired directly at Pisarn. A bullet hit the leg of a 16-year-old female student on a motorcycle who was at the scene of attack.

Pisarn has been district chief at Ma-Yor for about four years. He survived an attack in 2007 when he was serving as chief of Pattani's administration branch.

TAT invites Thais to travel in Pattani

BANGKOK, 7 February 2013 (NNT) -As the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will hold a grand celebration in Pattani during the end of February to pay respect to a local goddess, it is inviting Thais to visit the province.

The TAT will host the Goddess Lim Ko Niao celebration in Pattani during February 21-27. Local municipality, provincial TAT office, and local tourism agencies are joining hands to launch the annual festivity.

The event is aimed at promoting tourism in Pattani and preserving the traditional culture, in order to brighten up and rejuvenate the province.

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