S/E Asian Thai Consulates going to eVisa online system effective Tuesday Oct 8th

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Ranger, militant killed in Thai south shootout

NARATHIWAT, Thailand, May 23, 2013 (AFP) - A paramilitary ranger and a suspected militant were killed in a shootout early Thursday in Thailand's insurgency-torn south, an army spokesman said, as violence continues to rattle the Muslim-majority region despite ongoing peace talks.

The clash took place as up to 40 paramilitary rangers, acting on a tip-off, closed in on a house in the Cho Ai Rong district of Narathiwat province just after midnight.

At least five suspected militants holding a meeting in the property opened fire as security forces tried to seal off the building, Colonel Pramote Promin told AFP by telephone.

"One of our paramilitary rangers died -- another was wounded -- while one militant was killed and two of them arrested," he said, adding two other rebels escaped.

Thai police said a 46-year-old Buddhist grocery shop owner was also gunned down in another Narathiwat district in broad daylight on Wednesday.

The kingdom's authorities have been battling a festering insurgency since 2004 which has claimed more than 5,500 lives -- the majority of them civilians -- in Thailand's southernmost provinces bordering Malaysia.

Thailand held its first official peace talks with representatives of rebel group the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) in Malaysia in March and another round in April, but deadly attacks have continued on a near-daily basis.

In April rebels involved in the talks said they wanted "liberation" from Thailand, something powerful Thai army chief General Prayut rejected on Wednesday during a trip to the southern province of Yala.

Prayut also urged teachers to follow a self-imposed 6pm curfew to avoid falling victim to militants as the new school year gets under way.

Nearly 160 teachers and other school staff have been killed during the insurgency gripping the deep south.

Buddhist and Muslims alike fall victim to the shadowy militants, who target security forces, civilians and perceived representatives of state authority.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-05-23

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Ranger volunteer, suspected insurgent killed in Narathiwat clash

Narathiwat - One suspected insurgent was killed and two others were arrested in a clash with rangers and volunteers late Wednesday night.

A ranger volunteer, Yothin Promchuay, 23, was also killed during the clash at 11:30 pm in Ipayaet village in Tambon Juap in Joh I Rong district.

The clash happened after 50 rangers and ranger volunteers were dispatched to check a house in the village after the intelligence officers learned that some insurgents were hiding there.

A suspect, Daoh Saleh, 45, was arrested when he ran out of one of the house.

Another suspect ran into the village football field and exchanged gunfire with the authorities for about 30 minutes. He was found dead with an AK-47 assault rifle found beside him. He was identified as Maso Jehloh, 42.

Another Muslim man was arrested after the shooting. He was identified as Yaki, surname unknown.

-- The Nation 2013-05-23

[ChrisY1]

More deaths.....unending, as are the wars and conflicts in the ME & Africa.....and no-one cares!!

[Jasminetea]

More deaths.....unending, as are the wars and conflicts in the ME & Africa.....and no-one cares!!

Of course everyone cares. In London 2 days age a man wearing a hero tee shirt was hacked to death. It is impossible to conrol every muslim. However what can we do when muslims continue to donate money to mosques that preach death to westerners even in western countries let alone Thailand that has the only Ismamic counry in Asia (Indonesia is NOT and Islamic country by the way) as their neighbor? The most notorious Bali bomber maker was Malaysian!

[xavierr]

This insurgency cannot be resolved by means of weapons. If all Islamic schools would be transformed into secular schools and the mullahs would be imprisoned the violence would be greatly reduced.

[oldsailor35]

5 Insurgents having a meeting in a house ! 50 Rangers plus other volunteer rangers approach, a shootout takes place. 3 Insurgents are killed BUT 2 escape....OMG why in the hell did'nt they surround the house with that number of men. I suppose they all arrived at the front door. So much for training. These insurgents always manage to escape.