Angry Ranger Shot His Team Members: Thai Army

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Angry ranger shot his team members: Army
PARES LOHASAN
THE NATION


A PARAMILITARY ranger checks the garbage outside Ban Kalapor School in Pattani

PATTANI: -- A paramilitary ranger who allegedly shot dead his team leader and another comrade in Pattani's Mae Lan district on Tuesday reportedly confessed to committing the crime out of anger because he was often scolded by the team leader.

Meanwhile, Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN)'s leaders, Hassan Taib and Adulkareem Kalib, appeared for the third time on a YouTube clip on Tuesday, asking the Thai government to stop attacks against people in the deep South people, especially imams, kamnan, village chiefs, religious teachers and local administrative officials.

A previous clip showed BRN member Hj Adam Muhammad Nur explaining the group's five-point demands proposed earlier to the Thai government.

In the attack at 4.30am on Tuesday, initial reports said insurgents had ambushed a six-member patrolling team, leading to the deaths of Lance Corporal Ronnawit Singsai and paramilitary ranger Kriengsak Thooppudsa, both 31.

However, police later claimed that paramilitary ranger Sarawuth Khamphan, 21, had fired the shots that killed the two soldiers.

Mae Lan superintendent Pol Colonel Pitak Uthaitham said Sarawuth was made to re-enact the crime yesterday, while police confiscated his M16 rifle and summoned the other three paramilitary rangers for more details.

The victims' bodies underwent a bathing rite at a Nong Chik district temple and were carried by a C130 aircraft to their hometowns.

Colonel Pramote Prom-in, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command's front office, said many of the region's security officials were under stress and supervisors had been instructed to grant them leave according to their shifts.

They were also advised to undergo mental health checks on a monthly basis.

Meanwhile, 30 insurgents dressed in military uniform attacked a military outpost in Tambon Sawor Administrative Organisation compound in Narathiwat's Rusoh district on Tuesday.

The assault resulted in a 20-minute gunfight between 60 soldiers and the insurgents, who finally retreated. No deaths or injuries were reported.

Police yesterday collected some 100 spent rifle bullets and five spent M79 grenades from the scene. Officials say they suspect the assault was led by insurgent Abdullah Samama, 60.


-- The Nation 2013-05-30

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Fatal shooting of 2 Rangers in Pattani result of infighting

BANGKOK, 30 May 2013 (NNT) – The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) indicated the fatal shooting of 2 Rangers in Mae Lan district, Pattani, on Tuesday was a result of infighting and not a doing of insurgents.

Colonel Pramot Phrom-in, spokesperson of the ISOC Region 4 Forward Command, revealed the shooter was 21-year-old Ranger Sarawut Khamphan, who was originally from Ubon Ratchathani province. The man is now in police custody, and is being examined to determine whether he has psychological issues.

Col. Pramot said the military did place importance in managing the stress of its troops, by having monthly psychological evaluations and allowing periodic leaves. Superiors were also told to care for the psychological aspect of their subordinates, in order to prevent such mishaps.

In the meantime, Ban Kalapho school in Saiburi district of Pattani has re-opened after classes were suspended following a bombing inside the school compound, which killed 2 Rangers and wounded another. The soldiers had been guarding the school premises.

Although classes have resumed, fewer than 50 students turned up because parents were concerned about their children's safety. After a meeting of school executives, the school management resolved to heed the parent's request for delaying the resumption of classes, announcing another round of class suspension.


-- NNT 2013-05-30

[jambodave]

A reminder not to SCOLD a Thai holding a M16

[Ianatlarge]

There is not much one can say about this, except violence breeds violence. Errors and faults on all sides will need to be dealt with before peace will occur.

[Nowhereman60]

First they shot reporters now their own leaders.

[chainarong]

Well renegades are in every country, it just needs the trigger to pull the trigger, as they are rarity, they are hard to detect / predict, who needs enemy's with friends like this.

[Credo]

It's going to take more than a once-a-month psychological to stop this problem, but psychological help to those in charge might go a long way to solving the problems in the South.

[EyesWideOpen]

Somewhat ironic.... If this wacko is an example , I can see why the people the south are complaining about abuse from the soldiers there.

[seajae]

just think, if his dad was a member of the government he would be given a promotion and a pay rise

[DiamondKing]

60 minute gunfight and no one was injured LOL talk about being a bad shot

[chrisinth]

The scary thing with the ranger incident is that if people like this cannot be controlled with discipline during normal operations, what risk are you putting on the public when he is out in civilian clothes, drinking and most likely carrying a personal weapon?

It should be noted that no member of the Thai armed forces, unless they have been issued with a 'license to carry' permit, or are on operational duty are entitled to carry a firearm. This also applies to the police, even though this law is often ignored by the very people supposedly enforcing it.

Normally I wouldn't comment on the gun control issue (as it tends to raise a storm on here) as I would assume the people who do carry are professional enough to know the rules involved, but articles like this do make me think worst case scenarios.

[Kananga]

The scary thing with the ranger incident is that if people like this cannot be controlled with discipline during normal operations, what risk are you putting on the public when he is out in civilian clothes, drinking and most likely carrying a personal weapon?

Two words. Spicy Disco

[EyesWideOpen]

The scary thing with the ranger incident is that if people like this cannot be controlled with discipline during normal operations, what risk are you putting on the public when he is out in civilian clothes, drinking and most likely carrying a personal weapon?

Two words. Spicy Disco

Nice one... Once and for all , can we simply get rid of the myth that Thailand is full of cool tempered people, where the concept of jai yen yen is a critical part of Thainess ? Seems like it was not that long ago some soldier killed his comrades over a card game while stationed in the south... Edited May 30, 2013 by EyesWideOpen

[gl555]

A reminder not to SCOLD a Thai holding a M16

No. It's a reminder not to scold ANYONE who's packing a firearm.

[cup-O-coffee]

Is this the son of the fellow who shot the noodle stall vendor for spilling the chicken sauce on his table?