17 Gunmen Dead In Thai Military Base Attack: Army

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

CNN is reporting only 60 attackers and the Army had a tip and was waiting for them.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/12/world/asia/thailand-base-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

[hellodolly]

"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?

I have no use for the insurgents but I don't think they are fools. They probably figured out that there was a leak all by them selves. As to provide protection for the informant. That for sure would be telling them who the informant was. If the informant was subject to discovery the best course of action would be to move him out of the area. Far away.

[hellodolly]

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 one thing I have noticed so far is the unwillingness of posters so far to give any credit to the Army for getting information. Why is every one so willing to over look any good work the Army does.

The Army is working under tremendous odds against it. They are constantly handicapped by the government with inept people put in charge and stupid ideas like a curfew. As if a terrorist is not going to go out after 8:00 because it is illegal. The fact is it would be singling out the Army soldiers as they would be the only ones on the street much easier to pick them off from under cover than storming there base of operations.

[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?

I have no use for the insurgents but I don't think they are fools. They probably figured out that there was a leak all by them selves. As to provide protection for the informant. That for sure would be telling them who the informant was. If the informant was subject to discovery the best course of action would be to move him out of the area. Far away.

Presisely, but as I recal their are approx 100 defectors in the past 2/3 months, so will they be relocating all these peoples familiies - that's the point I am trying to make. If not surely the opportunity to encourage further defections will dramatically reduce

[hellodolly]

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

I am sure they would welcome your enlightened idea if you could only provide a map of all there residences they might even pay attention to you.

[webfact]

24-hour curfew imposed in parts of Narathiwat, Pattani

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Feb 13 - Security agencies have imposed a 24-hour curfew in four Narathiwat sub-districts and two Pattani sub-districts following an assault early today by uniformed insurgents who attempted to storm a Narathiwat military base.

Full story:

[HeavyDrinker]

Hello Dolly, the snag is that the south is such a poisoned chalice that no one in power wants to face the problem. It is left to the fringes (read those out of favour) of the military to 'deal' with the problem as they see fit.

Bangkok certainly doesn't want to get involved in an issue none of the elites know anything about nor have the capacity to even start addressing.

The UN and the ICRC have offered to intervene many times but have been rebuffed by ALL recent Administrations (over the last 30 years) as they always claim this is an "internal" problem.

Therefore I agree the army deserve massive credit for this action but you know full well who will be taking the kudos...

[DLock]

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?.......

I was thinking the same thing.

Whilst not on the scale of some of the bigger conflicts worldwide, the southern conflict is constant and has been over many years...and maybe that's the problem. It's boring and no longer newsworthy.

I'm sure Thailand does their best to limit coverage...it's not that far from the southern resorts. I'm still surprised there have been no bombings in Phuket or a tourist destination. That would change things and bring attention.

[tomross46]

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

Things are getting worse, but when the curfew, administered by Deputy PM Chalerm takes affect, the terrorist will be so afraid that they will stay at home and hide under the beds.

[Bluespunk]

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.

It's on the BBC

[fakename]

The problem is that the government thinks there is NO Problem! Over 5 thousand dead, and there is NO problem. That sounds like the same nonsense that Police can collect Tea Money, because its a Thai custom! The government has its head up its a.. and has no idea on how to get it out!

[Buchholz]

CNN is reporting only 60 attackers and the Army had a tip and was waiting for them.

http://edition.cnn.c....html?hpt=hp_t3

There's ever-fluctuating numbers being put out.

The latest is now half of what the OP reported:

Thai marines kill 16 militants who attacked base

NARATHIWAT, Thailand (AP) — Marines fending off a major militant assault on their base in Thailand's violent south killed 16 insurgents in an overnight shootout, authorities said Wednesday. It was the deadliest toll the Muslim guerrillas suffered since more than 100 died in a single day nearly a decade ago.

About 50 militants wearing military-style uniforms attacked the marine corps base in Bacho district in Narathiwat province just after midnight Wednesday, said Capt. Somkiat Ponprayun, the provincial marine corps special task force chief. The shootout ended with 16 militants killed and the rest fleeing, Somkiat said. The death toll was reduced from the initial figure of 19 given out earlier Wednesday by regional army spokesman Col. Pramote Promin.

Somkiat said soldiers who fended off the attack suffered no casualties. He said the marines had been tipped-off by the locals and warned of the assault.

Continued:

http://news.yahoo.co...xtRtWUAYh_QtDMD

Associated Press - 11 minutes ago

.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Buchholz

[billd766]

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.

It's on the BBC

here

http://www.bbc.co.uk...d-asia-21437938

Thailand's military says its troops have killed at least 17 militants who stormed a base in the violence-hit south of the country.

The attack took place early on Wednesday in Narathiwat province, near the border with Malaysia.

No military casualties were reported in the attack, which the Thai army said had involved dozens of militants.

Thailand's three southernmost provinces have been plagued by unrest in recent years.

More than 5,000 people have been killed since a decades-old separatist campaign reignited in the Muslim-majority region in 2004.

Edited February 13, 2013 by billd766

[animatic]

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.

It's on CNN.COM.

under More News.

near the top below Syria and N. Korea, but above many more items.

http://edition.cnn.c....html?hpt=hp_t3

Edited February 13, 2013 by animatic

[Buchholz]

Disclaimer: Although blurred, video contains graphic images. Don't click play if squeamish:

.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Buchholz

[Yahooka]

For once some bit off good news from the South.

Go Marines !!!!

[Lite Beer]

Defence Minister praises Marines for defence against southern insurgents

By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 13 – Thai Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat today praised Marines in Thailand’s southern province of Narathiwat for successfully protecting a military base from an insurgent attack in which 16 assailants were killed.

The incident prompted the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to impose a 24-hour curfew in six sub-districts of Narathiwat and nearby Pattani, starting at 6am today.

Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol quoted an official report as saying that 70-80 heavily-armed insurgents, clad in military uniforms and some with bullet-proof vests, attempted to storm into the military base in Narathiwat early this morning but were met with fierce retaliation by marine forces.

Sixteen insurgents were killed while nine assault rifles and two pickup trucks were seized. The authorities found ropes and metal wire on the insurgents’ bodies, and believe that the assailants planned to capture some officers as hostages.

Local authorities said the confiscated weapons were stolen from military, police and defence volunteer units while the bullet-proof vests belonged to volunteers.

The defence minister said an overall curfew depends on a decision by the Centre for Implementation of Policies and Strategies for Solving Southern Problems, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung. The committee is scheduled to meet on Friday. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-02-13

[thenervoussurgeon]

Everywhere in the world where there is trouble ,you can bet its muslims to blame ,why are they such a scurge?

[SiamRose]

stupid ideas like a curfew. As if a terrorist is not going to go out after 8:00 because it is illegal

Stupid comment. The idea of a curfew is obviously not to stop the bad guys going out, its to stop innocent people going out at night. That way the army know that anyone who is out after dark is up to no good.

[thailandshasse]

It,s a shame, for Thailand to have all this militant muslim murderer in the country.

Today the army make a good things,to try to get an end of this bloody killing from mslim separatists.

If it,s possible at all.???

May the attacker REST IN HELL !

This are the only place for this people " who not care about other peoples lifa and religion.

LONG LIVE THE KING AND THAILAND !

A FREE THAILAND, NOT UNDER MUSLIM LAWS !

[wilcopops]

so a short of planned execution? Wouldn't prevention have been a more civilised policy?

[unanimosity]

"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?

Actually, announcing the defections can increase future defections. Not sure why you would think otherwise. You really don't need experience in a military propaganda unit to understand that planting the seeds of defection can demoralize individuals in the militia and show them that it is a viable option that others have taken. Loudspeaker teams and leaflet drops have in the past been successful in deploying safe conduct passes and encouraging defection based on joining the other "patriots" that have defected and come back to the true spirit of the country.

[HeavyDrinker]

so a short of planned execution? Wouldn't prevention have been a more civilised policy?

Sadly not. Things have reached such a point that in the south, its now pure attrition.

The Government don't want to touch the south with a bargepole. They're too busy going after cheap publicity in Bangkok. The only time they acknowledge the south is when there's brownie points to be had. ..rather like today.

The utter failure of countless Thai administrations to address the problems in the south is why we are now seeing an ever mounting bodycount.

Its not going to stop at this...

On the point of defections...they are but a mere scratch which are merely highlighted in the name of propaganda. Anyone who sees this as a success is as delusional as the Government.

[dunque]

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.

http://www.google.com/news?ncl=dpPcwbGDVwA80wM-v85UQuP3S0VjM&q=Pattani&lr=English&hl=en

Yep, they kept that one quiet don't they?

[Valentine]

Anyone who has no qualms about killing innocent people do not deserve the oxygen in our atmosphere. The killing of teachers & those who came to help the rice farmers is abhorrent, not to mention bombs which do not discriminate between man, woman or child.

[muratremix]

How stupid it is to attack a military base? How can they fight against deployed machine guns, snipers, armed vehicles, even tanks? They dont hesitate to display their backwards muslim logic at all.

[b2203]

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.

They asked PM Thaksin Shinnawatra when the problems first arose if Thailand needed any help, but Thailand refused and said that they can deal with their problems by themselves. It was around the time when there was a war on drugs campaign around 2004.

[HeavyDrinker]

Anyone who has no qualms about killing innocent people do not deserve the oxygen in our atmosphere. The killing of teachers & those who came to help the rice farmers is abhorrent, not to mention bombs which do not discriminate between man, woman or child.

Quite, however knee-jerk reactions like saying "[the killers] do not deserve the oxygen" are not going to solve this problem. It is going to take decades of diplomacy.

Can we get one thing straight here. This is NOT about religion, this is about (national/ethnic) identity over religion even though religion is being used as a tool.

To ramble on about 'evil' Muslims is to miss the point totally. There are as many terrified Muslims in the south as there are Buddhists...

[HeavyDrinker]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11437423

Here is a link to a BBC article from a couple of years ago.

It has a few errors in it such as saying the conflict has only been running for 6 years, however it gives a real feel for the root of the troubles.

Read and learn.

[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?

Actually, announcing the defections can increase future defections. Not sure why you would think otherwise. You really don't need experience in a military propaganda unit to understand that planting the seeds of defection can demoralize individuals in the militia and show them that it is a viable option that others have taken. Loudspeaker teams and leaflet drops have in the past been successful in deploying safe conduct passes and encouraging defection based on joining the other "patriots" that have defected and come back to the true spirit of the country.

You appear to not comprehend my point. Not so sure about the "true spirit of the country" comment as that is captured in the Thai motto "Country, Religion, Monarch "; religion being Buddhism. This motto is one of the reasons the military, to date, have dismissed the idea of autonomy for the Deep South