17 Gunmen Dead In Thai Military Base Attack: Army

[webfact]

17 gunmen dead in Thai military base attack: army

BANGKOK, Thailand, Feb 13, 2013 (AFP) - Scores of heavily armed gunmen stormed a military base in unrest-plagued southern Thailand, an army spokesman said Wednesday, in a major assault that left at least 17 militants dead.

newsjs"Some 100 fully armed militants stormed the base, where there were 60 marines," Colonel Pramote Promin, southern army spokesman, told AFP.

He said the attack, one of the most ambitious in several years of violence in Thailand's deep south, had resulted in the deaths of at least 17 assailants.

No military casualties were reported in the early hours assault at the base in Bacho district of Narathiwat province, one of three Muslim-dominated provinces near the border with Malaysia.

"We learned of the attack in advance from defected militants," Pramote told Thai television.

"We were able to secure the camp. All of our force are safe," he said.

He added that a key local leader of the fighters, who wore bulletproof vests during the attack, had been killed in the clashes.

A shadowy 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.

Members of Thailand's security forces are frequently targeted in ambushes and roadside bombs, while civilians perceived to have collaborated with Thai authorities are also routinely executed.

A report by the International Crisis Group on the violence in December said insurgents had grown "bolder and stronger" amid political inaction from successive Bangkok governments.

"The violence has evolved at a pace that is starting to challenge the ability of the government to respond on its own terms," said Jim Della-Giacoma, Crisis Group's Southeast Asia project director.

ICG recommended a greater push towards decentralisation and closer engagement with local civil society groups and peace negotiations with insurgents.

It added that the deployment of 60,000 security forces and an emergency decree "have not achieved any appreciable decline in casualties".

Five soldiers were killed Sunday in a bomb attack by suspected insurgents in the deep south, police said.

The bomb, which also wounded a sixth soldier, was detonated as the troops passed by in their patrol vehicle in a village in Yala, another southern province.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-02-13

UPDATE

16 gunmen killed in Thai military base attack: army

NARATHIWAT, Thailand, Feb 13, 2013 (AFP) - Scores of heavily armed gunmen stormed a military base in unrest-plagued southern Thailand, an army spokesman said Wednesday, in a major assault that left at least 16 militants dead.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-02-13

[OzMick]

Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance, but it helps not to confuse ambition with ability.

[simple1]

"We learned of the attack in advance from defected militants," Pramote told Thai television - Why are they making these public announcements, you would think that it will slow down the defection rates or at least provides intelligence to the insurgents.

Will the authorities now be providing protection for the defectors families?

[Pimay1]

"We learned of the attack in advance from defected militants," Pramote told Thai television - Why are they making these public announcements, you would think that it will slow down the defection rates or at least provides intelligence to the insurgents.

Will the authorities now be providing protection for the defectors families?

It's like the old saying "only a fool tells all he knows".

[Chao Lao Beach]

100 - that sa serous attack on am armed base. Seems to be going to be getting worse down there.

[redroo]

"He who digs a hole for another may fall in himself"

With attacking an army base ,

they shore did dig a hole for themselves.

The big man in the sky must have been playing with those promised virgins.

Hope the 17 have one "hell' of a time.

No peace for the wicked.

[noitom]

You would think that a militant attack on an army base of this size would be on the front page of world news. It's amazing how the Thais can muzzle the Thai press and smoke out the foreign press.

[OzMick]

"We learned of the attack in advance from defected militants," Pramote told Thai television - Why are they making these public announcements, you would think that it will slow down the defection rates or at least provides intelligence to the insurgents.

Will the authorities now be providing protection for the defectors families?

Of course Pramote wouldn't be telling white lies to cover his real sources, or to spread fear and confusion amongst the enemy.

[Thai at Heart]

"We learned of the attack in advance from defected militants," Pramote told Thai television - Why are they making these public announcements, you would think that it will slow down the defection rates or at least provides intelligence to the insurgents.

Will the authorities now be providing protection for the defectors families?

Of course Pramote wouldn't be telling white lies to cover his real sources, or to spread fear and confusion amongst the enemy.

Let's wait for the body count of informants to spike next week. Why say anything at all?

[Locationthailand]

Tipped off by ... that's straight counter intelligence to create unrest amongst the animals.

As for ... "deployment of 60,000 security forces and an emergency decree "have not achieved any appreciable decline in casualties".

They managed to get 17 in a failed insurgent ambush but where were the other thousands of 'forces', sleeping? What, 60,000 can't do a door to door and start culling out these people?

[Songhua]

It could have all been avoided by a curfew.

[ChrisY1]

You would think that a militant attack on an army base of this size would be on the front page of world news. It's amazing how the Thais can muzzle the Thai press and smoke out the foreign press.

Correct.....the world media should be onto this in a flash...

Do you think this attack really happened?.......

[HeavyDrinker]

100 - that sa serous attack on am armed base. Seems to be going to be getting worse down there.

Well maybe not now they've been massacred to the count of 17 laddie.....

[glassdude007]

The way the Thai government in Bangkok along with most of its citizens around the country and the super powers worldwide are ignoring this prolonged and continuing conflict is amazing to me. What will it take for the world police (USA, UK and France) to get involved help protect the people of the Deep South here in Thailand? Maybe after another insurgence strike with a higher profile target like some tourist places in Phuket or Pattaya will make the outside world help and take notice of this terrible conflict and loss of lives here in Thailand?

I hope not.

[HeavyDrinker]

The way the Thai government in Bangkok along with most of its citizens around the country and the super powers worldwide are ignoring this prolonged and continuing conflict is amazing to me. What will it take for the world police (USA, UK and France) to get involved help protect the people of the Deep South here in Thailand? Maybe after another insurgence strike with a higher profile target like some tourist places in Phuket or Pattaya will make the outside world help and take notice of this terrible conflict and loss of lives here in Thailand?

I hope not.

Superbly put Sir.

It is rather the "Rhinoceros in the Room" syndrome here.

It is far too ambiguous a situation to be seriously addressed in international circles, as the local (Thai) government are hapless to even begin to explain the situation to any outside organisation.

Whence they can, maybe things can move forward but it's only been rattling on for a century or so, so give them a chance....

[arthurboy]

After yesterday's incredibly detailed intelligence news report about an imminent al-Quaeda attack on Chiang Mai's American Consulate, the recent murders in the south and Chalerm's voluminous hot air comments, this story seems to be rather opportune.

The story was broken by AFP and in now going global as a syndicated piece.

Maybe yesterday's story was a smoke screen, albeit a very strange one or simply weird - only in Thailand - coincidence.

The bit about prior intel prior to this attack is also intriguing. It will also be interesting to see the news footage evidence on this too.

Let's see where this goes. Unfortunately, that will obviously involve Chalerm gobbing off on TV etc. and claiming he was right all along that a curfew is needed in the south.

[smedly]

If they had prior knowledge of this attack then I don't see why all 100 were not either detained or killed preferably the latter - 17 out of 100 was not exactly great numbers considering the resource the army have

[OzMick]

"We learned of the attack in advance from defected militants," Pramote told Thai television - Why are they making these public announcements, you would think that it will slow down the defection rates or at least provides intelligence to the insurgents.

Will the authorities now be providing protection for the defectors families?

Of course Pramote wouldn't be telling white lies to cover his real sources, or to spread fear and confusion amongst the enemy.

Let's wait for the body count of informants to spike next week. Why say anything at all?

Try reading Clausewitz or Sun Tzu and be enlightened on the use of propaganda to conceal tactics, sow suspicion and lower enemy morale. Not all weapons fire projectiles.

[Scoop1]

If they had prior knowledge of this attack then I don't see why all 100 were not either detained or killed preferably the latter - 17 out of 100 was not exactly great numbers considering the resource the army have

Well said, yes the 'latter" would be the way to go, and keep on moving, why sit there and wait to be attacked, they are just simple cowards, the Thai army should just keep on going untill they are all finished, and then there may be some peace from these brainless scum

[GentlemanJim]

After yesterday's incredibly detailed intelligence news report about an imminent al-Quaeda attack on Chiang Mai's American Consulate, the recent murders in the south and Chalerm's voluminous hot air comments, this story seems to be rather opportune.

The story was broken by AFP and in now going global as a syndicated piece.

Maybe yesterday's story was a smoke screen, albeit a very strange one or simply weird - only in Thailand - coincidence.

The bit about prior intel prior to this attack is also intriguing. It will also be interesting to see the news footage evidence on this too.

Let's see where this goes. Unfortunately, that will obviously involve Chalerm gobbing off on TV etc. and claiming he was right all along that a curfew is needed in the south.

The thing is, I am unsure of how effective a curfew is on 100 armed militia. I don't think saying to 100 men willing to take up arms and storm a protected army base and die for Allah that they aren't allowed out when it gets dark will hold much sway with them. "shall we attack tonight Hammed, we have 100 assault weapons, RPG's and men to fight to the death"..."Sorry we can't Mohammed, they said we aren't allowed out when it gets dark, we could face being arrested" ..."oh, ok bummer! I guess we wouldn't want to break the law then would we".

[seajae]

they were warned it would happen yet only managed to kill 17, must be very poor shots. Why wasnt a kill zone set up?, claymores and some well set up MG's would have removed them all, sounds like the "army" wanted to have some free target practice rather than removing all the scum, very poor result.

[Thai at Heart]

"We learned of the attack in advance from defected militants," Pramote told Thai television - Why are they making these public announcements, you would think that it will slow down the defection rates or at least provides intelligence to the insurgents.

Will the authorities now be providing protection for the defectors families?

Of course Pramote wouldn't be telling white lies to cover his real sources, or to spread fear and confusion amongst the enemy.

Let's wait for the body count of informants to spike next week. Why say anything at all?

Try reading Clausewitz or Sun Tzu and be enlightened on the use of propaganda to conceal tactics, sow suspicion and lower enemy morale. Not all weapons fire projectiles.

That's all true, but, what we see is that these so called insurgents happily knock off suspected informants at the drop of a hat. People have suspicions about who is telling the army what is going on down there. The terrorists don't care if they kill, 1, 10 or 100 suspected informants, or their nearest and dearest. So, if I had a feeling that people around me thought I had been spilling the beans, I think it would be time to find a new abode pretty quick. It's only life and death...

They will simply clean house.

[coma]

That just has to be bad for the militants moral. Both for the ammount of KIA they recieved and that they have talkers amongst thier ranks. The military on the other hand will be celebrating a great victory.

[webfact]

17 insurgents killed in Pattani clash

The Nation

PATTANI

PATTANI: -- At least 17 insurgents were killed in a gunfight early Wednesday morning shortly after midnight after scores of insurgents walked into a trap set up by the local marine unit in Bacho, Pattani.

The insurgents, armed with machine guns and dressed in military fatigue with flack jackets, arrived in the area on vehicle and went on foot. They were greeted by a hail of gunfire by the waiting Marines who, according to various accounts, were tipped off about the planned attack.

Bodies of the victims were posted on the Internet on various websites.

The death toll of the insurgents was one of the highest yet in a single gunfight between separatist militants and government security forces.

The marines appeared to have been well positioned and dug in as they waited for the insurgents.

Fourth Army’s spokesman Col Pramote Prom-in told Thai television that information about the planned attack was provided local residents. He put the number of insurgents at about 100.

The attack was one of the most daring in years.

No military casualties were reported and the number of injured was not provided.

In spite the apparent success in the Wednesday gunfight, the insurgents’ ability to mobilised and come together in such a number continue to be a point of great concern for the authorities and security forces who are often at the receiving end of insurgents’ attacks that often involved roadside ambush and car/motorbike bombs followed by brief gunfight.

-- The Nation 2013-02-13

[ballpoint]

These poor guys were just going in to demand request a bit of ang pao cash, but simply picked the wrong place.

[Robby nz]

The way the Thai government in Bangkok along with most of its citizens around the country and the super powers worldwide are ignoring this prolonged and continuing conflict is amazing to me. What will it take for the world police (USA, UK and France) to get involved help protect the people of the Deep South here in Thailand? Maybe after another insurgence strike with a higher profile target like some tourist places in Phuket or Pattaya will make the outside world help and take notice of this terrible conflict and loss of lives here in Thailand?

I hope not.

Whatever you do dont get them involved, go look at the death toll (ongoing) in other parts of the world where they have 'helped".

[HeavyDrinker]

The way the Thai government in Bangkok along with most of its citizens around the country and the super powers worldwide are ignoring this prolonged and continuing conflict is amazing to me. What will it take for the world police (USA, UK and France) to get involved help protect the people of the Deep South here in Thailand? Maybe after another insurgence strike with a higher profile target like some tourist places in Phuket or Pattaya will make the outside world help and take notice of this terrible conflict and loss of lives here in Thailand?

I hope not.

Whatever you do dont get them involved, go look at the death toll (ongoing) in other parts of the world where they have 'helped".

Yes. It's been hugely reduced...but every death just gets more press time...

Now, do you have anything constrictive to say on this topic?

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

The Thai Army is outnumbered two to 1 and the insurgents lose 17 dead to the Armies no casualties.

Maybe there are reporting errors but this sounds like a ass kicking.

[smedly]

The Thai Army is outnumbered two to 1 and the insurgents lose 17 dead to the Armies no casualties.

Maybe there are reporting errors but this sounds like a ass kicking.

83 got away

just depends how you look at it but in my books it's a mega fail

[OzMick]

The Thai Army is outnumbered two to 1 and the insurgents lose 17 dead to the Armies no casualties.

Maybe there are reporting errors but this sounds like a ass kicking.

I guess they'll have to go back to shooting up telephone booths and primary schools.