Guns Rule In This Cowboy Town

[george]

Guns rule in this cowboy town

IN this part of Thailand, everyone from reporters to businessmen brandish guns.

--THE STRAITS TIMES

SA KAEW: -- All too often, business disputes are settled by a pull of the trigger.

According to the locals, that's how tough it is in Sa Kaeo (right), a bustling trading province on the eastern border of Thailand.

Located about 220km east of Bangkok, Sa Kaeo was the place where Singaporean Jimmy Low Beng Lee was gunned down on Tuesday, allegedly by a Taiwanese ex-employee.

Mr Low, 43, was shot twice in his ear and cheek.

Mr Low, who worked for Thai waste-management company ProWaste, had sacked the man on Monday night, saying he had embezzled money.

His elder sister, Mrs Joni Ong, 45, told The New Paper on Sunday that most of the locals in Sa Kaeo carry guns.

Mr Low had even been hesitant to go there because of its reputation as a cowboy town.

He turned down his friend's job offer when Mr Shane Iempoolsub set up ProWaste four years ago.

But Mr Low finally relented in 2004 as his friend's health was ailing.

Mrs Ong said: 'The family did not want him to go, but he said he wanted to venture out. So we gave him our blessings in the end.'

As a foreigner, her brother wasn't allowed to carry a gun. He hired bodyguards instead.

Sa Kaeo residents told The New Paper on Sunday that living there can be dangerous at times.

Mr Teerapong Yaisangsumrit, a senior correspondent with the Channel 5 TV station, said that many of his friends, especially the businessmen and political figures, own guns and keep them at home for self-protection.

They also tend to hire bodyguards, added Mr Teerapong.

One of the main reasons for this gun-toting is the large presence of Cambodians, especially those who enter illegally through the porous 165km-long border.

Mr Teerapong said: 'The Cambodians find it easy to come and go. Many enter to find work, but some are gangsters who commit crimes here because they know it's not easy to track them down.'

One businessman who owns a gun is Mr Bamrung Lorcharoenwattanachai, 49. He is also the chairman of the Sa Kaeo Provincial Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Bamrung told The New Paper that he owns a licence for his .22-calibre pistol, which was bought many years ago. He said: 'I'm glad I haven't ever used it.'

Mr Teerapong has used his.

He said he carries a gun whenever he goes on crime assignments.

The last time he fired his gun was several years ago when he tailed the police during the arrest of a group of robbers.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Mr Teerapong, who has lived in Sa Kaeo for 12 years now, said in Thai: 'The robbers were illegal Cambodian immigrants, who had with them weapons such as AK-47s and M16s.

'They started firing at the police when they found out that they had been surrounded. The next minute, I realised that bullets were flying past me.

'I immediately dived to the ground and dropped my TV camera. It was chaotic. I was frightened and in self-defence, I used the pistol and fired back several shots.'

Mr Teerapong said he wasn't hurt and wasn't sure if his shots hit any robbers.

But not everyone in Sa Kaeo feels its 'cowboy town' label is valid.

Mr Somyod Sintuparn, 51, said his hometown is peaceful, like other Thai provinces.

He said he doesn't know of anyone who employs bodyguards.

He said those who wish to buy guns need a gun licence. Such licences are common. (See report on facing page.)

Mr Somyod said: 'There are many Cambodians who work and live in Sa Kaeo illegally by crossing the border. But not all are here to commit crimes.

'Even if they do, it's usually minor crimes. There's no need for us to go to the extreme of getting guns.'

But he later claimed that Thais who want to buy smuggled guns can do so easily by crossing the Aranyaprathet border into the casino town of Poipet in Cambodia.

Mr Somyod said the border, which runs along mostly flat plains, is difficult to monitor and Cambodians could just 'walk over'.

He said: 'Once you cross the border and enter Poipet, you can hop on the motorcycle taxi and ask the rider for contacts to buy guns.

'With some money, they will recommend you to the right person.'

A Thai immigration police officer, who declined to be named, said that gun-buying is harder now because the Cambodian and Thai police have cracked down on gun syndicates.

The officer added: 'Also, it's increasingly difficult to get a gun licence in Thailand.'

--asia1.com 2006-04-03

[teletiger]

Guns rule all over Thailand.

regards

[george]

Guns rule all over Thailand.

Krub, topic moved to from Isaan Forum to General forum.

[kayo]

I recall when i first moved to Kanchanaburi from Koh chang, The locals would tell me about how not so many years ago guns ruled over kanchanaburi too... People from the capital come out for a weekend, would have guns in their pick ups too.

Koh Chang had some armoury too.

Don´t like the f%#& things myself. And yes, I have used them before.

[khall64au]

I recall when i first moved to Kanchanaburi from Koh chang, The locals would tell me about how not so many years ago guns ruled over kanchanaburi too... People from the capital come out for a weekend, would have guns in their pick ups too.

Koh Chang had some armoury too.

Don´t like the f%#& things myself. And yes, I have used them before.

Hmmmmmmmmm.... somehow I just "knew" this topic would appeal to you Wabbit/ Klown/ Chang Chompu/ who ever you are!

[kayo]

I recall when i first moved to Kanchanaburi from Koh chang, The locals would tell me about how not so many years ago guns ruled over kanchanaburi too... People from the capital come out for a weekend, would have guns in their pick ups too.

Koh Chang had some armoury too.

Don´t like the f%#& things myself. And yes, I have used them before.

Hmmmmmmmmm.... somehow I just "knew" this topic would appeal to you Wabbit/ Klown/ Chang Chompu/ who ever you are!

who ever I am... see my last post on here

[khall64au]

I recall when i first moved to Kanchanaburi from Koh chang, The locals would tell me about how not so many years ago guns ruled over kanchanaburi too... People from the capital come out for a weekend, would have guns in their pick ups too.

Koh Chang had some armoury too.

Don´t like the f%#& things myself. And yes, I have used them before.

Hmmmmmmmmm.... somehow I just "knew" this topic would appeal to you Wabbit/ Klown/ Chang Chompu/ who ever you are!

who ever I am... see my last post on here

Just STOP teasing me COWBOY!

[Cpt_M0ney_Sh0t]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

[chuchok]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

And the very reason that you have mentioned, it is a good idea that you are not allowed to carry one. You might find that 90% of the farang population here have no need to carry firearms.

[mark45y]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

Lube it every three days and it works fine.

[thaihome]

I would like to point out for accuracy sake the photo is not of SA KAEW city, but of the Cambodian border some 45 km to the east. Having spent a good deal of time in province with many day trips into Sa Kaew city, I have to agree with individual quoted at the bottom of the article that it is a typical sleepy Thai provincial town. As with the rest of Thailand and virtually the rest of world, modern times have brought its share of crime and unsavory characters.

Please note the Singaporean gentleman was shot by a “Taiwanese ex-employee”. Having spent a good bit of time in China and seen several disgruntled employees get violent, I am not overly surprised.

TH

[meadish_sweetball]

Border location + lots of illegal guns readily available = problems.

[rio666uk]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

and if you were allowed to "pack a piece" in thailand - what the f*** would you do with it...

you sure as sh*t couldnt use it - point it another farrang and youve got a problem if they've got one too - point it at a local and you'll be watching your back for the rest of your days - and if you did use it im fairly sure you couldnt rely on the thai legal system to give you a fair trial, even if it was in defense... your ass would be in jail without a second thought....

[Cpt_M0ney_Sh0t]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

and if you were allowed to "pack a piece" in thailand - what the f*** would you do with it...

you sure as sh*t couldnt use it - point it another farrang and youve got a problem if they've got one too - point it at a local and you'll be watching your back for the rest of your days - and if you did use it im fairly sure you couldnt rely on the thai legal system to give you a fair trial, even if it was in defense... your ass would be in jail without a second thought....

Better all of the horrible secnerios you mentioned than to be dead, paralized, helpless while my home is robbed and my family victimized.

AND, if we were aloud leagly to carry, Legal defence, as always, would be a matter of money... While I am not what I would consider rich yet, I got enough to fight the case or enough to find a alternitive solotion.

[Cpt_M0ney_Sh0t]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

Lube it every three days and it works fine.

Thanks I didn't know that. I'll keep it in mind as I really prefer the feel and the stoping power of the Colt...it just feels right.

[English Noodles]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

I dont understand what makes you feel like you need to carry a gun in Thailand.

[aaaaaa]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

I dont understand what makes you feel like you need to carry a gun in Thailand.

well, you know - for safety !

I also wonder about another part : "everyone feels much better now ". who are those "everyone" ?

[mogoso]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

And the very reason that you have mentioned, it is a good idea that you are not allowed to carry one. You might find that 90% of the farang population here have no need to carry firearms.

In most cases just the brandising of a firearm is enough to solve your problem, as most criminals prefer their victims helpless, and not armed. If you have to use a weapon shoot to kill and worry about the future when it gets there. explanations are given by those who stay alive.

If I'm one of the ten percent who might be at risk that old 1911 sounds mighty nice to have along for company, nice stopping power.

[slackula]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

and if you were allowed to "pack a piece" in thailand - what the f*** would you do with it...

you sure as sh*t couldnt use it - point it another farrang and youve got a problem if they've got one too - point it at a local and you'll be watching your back for the rest of your days - and if you did use it im fairly sure you couldnt rely on the thai legal system to give you a fair trial, even if it was in defense... your ass would be in jail without a second thought....

Better all of the horrible secnerios you mentioned than to be dead, paralized, helpless while my home is robbed and my family victimized.

AND, if we were aloud leagly to carry, Legal defence, as always, would be a matter of money... While I am not what I would consider rich yet, I got enough to fight the case or enough to find a alternitive solotion.

You deserve to be shot for your spelling and grammar.

Did u lern two ryte on AOL or smthng?

[saeb]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

Mr Time Share is a liar. No problem there. For 14 years I have done business with the Thai military in specialist fields. They, as any user of guns who may have to use them, despise the things.

As a U.K. qualified marksman (no scopes you Yanks and 200 yards with full bore), the boy is living a fantasy. Guns are horrible. Disgusting evil things.

Mr Money Shot - I look forward to seeing you in Sattahip at the Thai SEAL training centre along with the Forward Recon RTN Marine Units.

<deleted> - if someone is going to rob, shoot, or rape you, they are not going to it do John Wayne style.

Bang -bang- "There's injuns over them rocks".

Idiot - get a life and continue to make money out of the immoral situation that exists where you say that you currently work in Iraq. Picking up shoes on a basketball court?.

That's what you said.

Why do the serving staff get access to guns?.

I know some good guys working in Iraq trying to get the infrastructure up and running whilst idiots like you seem to have some wank fantasy about guns. Idiot. Stupid.

Give me the name of the Naval Officer who signed your chit to gain access to a Thai military shooting range :- Can you?.

PM me if you have the balls and your name and pp no. or bints ID.

I look forward to a blustering reply..................

What is it that you have to be so insecure to lie?.

Pip-Pip.

[Patex]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

Mr Time Share is a liar...

A liar and an idiot...

They, as any user of guns who may have to use them, despise the things.

100% my experience! Responsible people feel like this... only scum like MOnkey_ShIt adore weapons.

[ray23]

My Fiance', her Father, and I went to the Thai Navy range in Samutprakarn a couple months ago when we got her a lovely 9mm. She carries all the time and everyone feels much better now that she dose. I only wish I could carry too what a lame rule that we can't carry guns. We (foregners) get victimized too. In the States I'm licenced and carry a Glock model 22 .40cal. In Iraq I pack a classic, Colt 1911 .45. I would like the Glock for Thailand, I would think with all the humidity the .45 would require much more cleaning and attention.

and if you were allowed to "pack a piece" in thailand - what the f*** would you do with it...

you sure as sh*t couldnt use it - point it another farrang and youve got a problem if they've got one too - point it at a local and you'll be watching your back for the rest of your days - and if you did use it im fairly sure you couldnt rely on the thai legal system to give you a fair trial, even if it was in defense... your ass would be in jail without a second thought....

Better all of the horrible secnerios you mentioned than to be dead, paralized, helpless while my home is robbed and my family victimized.

AND, if we were aloud leagly to carry, Legal defence, as always, would be a matter of money... While I am not what I would consider rich yet, I got enough to fight the case or enough to find a alternitive solotion.

You deserve to be shot for your spelling and grammar.

Did u lern two ryte on AOL or smthng?

Ok now don't shoot him fo spelling sure as heck I will be mistaken for him and they'll get me

I am a certified Police Firearms instructor by the NRA, range master for several years and a retired cop. I have never even shot at anyone. There were many instances over the years, that legally I would have been justified. But, morally I think not, I'm still here the work got done and no shots were fired. I was lucky in that I never faced that moment when there was no other choice. Beleive it or not most Policeman retire just like I did, never having fired a weapon at anyone. Then there are others, that were not so lucky. Now what was interesting to me is that those he did just never talked about it, unles it was to assist in some sort of training.

Personally Im glad I don't have to carry one anymore, darn things are heavy. If I did carry one I'm not going to kill someone over a television. In my career I never owned more then two at an given time and they were for work. But people do collect them with no intention of ever doing others harm. Just not a hobby that I would enjoy that much. Target shooting is fun, when you trying to develop a skill. But that would be my limit here in Thailand.

I guess it's like the driver of the car it's the nut behind the wheel.

The gun debate never dies, nor should it.

[ProfessorFart]

Its bad enough that there are so many Thais runing around with guns. Thankfully they tend to use them on each other and not on the uninvolved.

The last thing I want to see is gung ho <deleted> having access to them as well. Could you imagine the carnage in Pattaya every weekend?

My advice. If you can't function sexually or socially without carrying a gun, head off to the US.

[sting01]

3 days ago I was moody and claimed I found the most moronic post eer made in TV.

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I was wrong indeed. Cpt Monkey Shot commited here a bunch of indeed fully moronic post.

O forgot, the MoNkEy style of typing is usually considered in the internet comunity as the patent sign of genetical mental disorder, or in some exceptional cases is just used by some teenagers whow have more much acne on the face than my keyboard have keys, and who simply can not handle the real life (IRL).

God thanks trully there is no that much of guns in use in thailand.

[the gent]

Take his preferred calibre of pistol, divide it by the size of his penis and one should arrive at his intelligence quotient.

Eminently suitable for voluntary service in Iraq.

[ray23]

Its bad enough that there are so many Thais runing around with guns. Thankfully they tend to use them on each other and not on the uninvolved.

The last thing I want to see is gung ho <deleted> having access to them as well. Could you imagine the carnage in Pattaya every weekend?

My advice. If you can't function sexually or socially without carrying a gun, head off to the US.

NO there is enough there already need a new place . Here is one that is great for those who just have to carry a weapon, unless things have changed in Arizona you can walk around all day long with one as long as it is exposed. The down side everyone else has one to. Don't know if this is the current state of the law there or not. Most states within the US are retrictive as to the use of hand guns.

Now I would think that gun carrying crowd would be in utopia in the Arab states, seems like every news cast you see some guy with an Ak handy. That would make America seem pretty mild. Maybe what makes the states seem like a wide open arena is all the debates, it's really not. Gun ownership on the lawful side i very restirctive, on the lawless side. a much different ball game.

I've often heard that Arizona has a very low crime rate per captia, anyone checked it out?

[daleyboy]

I would like to point out for accuracy sake the photo is not of SA KAEW city, but of the Cambodian border some 45 km to the east. Having spent a good deal of time in province with many day trips into Sa Kaew city, I have to agree with individual quoted at the bottom of the article that it is a typical sleepy Thai provincial town. As with the rest of Thailand and virtually the rest of world, modern times have brought its share of crime and unsavory characters.

Please note the Singaporean gentleman was shot by a “Taiwanese ex-employee”. Having spent a good bit of time in China and seen several disgruntled employees get violent, I am not overly surprised.

TH

I have to agree with this. The wife and her family live very near Sa kaew and we spend alot of time there, and i have never seen any problems with guns. It also isnt exactly a border town.

[MarkBKK]

God thanks trully there is no that much of guns in use in thailand.

I'm sorry, am I mad or is it you? (Or perhaps your spelling threw me.) Last time I checked, Thailand had the third highest murder rate (per capita) by guns in the world. Er ... the US was fourth. If you want to buy a nice 'un pop over to Sanam Luang any evening.

True, it's mainly Thai on Thai killing (unless you're an English tourist who spits at a drunk Thai policeman), but the numbers speak for themselves ... don't they?

[saeb]

Take his preferred calibre of pistol, divide it by the size of his penis and one should arrive at his intelligence quotient.

Eminently suitable for voluntary service in Iraq.

Good point Gent:

Today another 74 killed by bombs in Iraq's capital - and goodness only knows how many maimed.

Women, children, the old and the 'wanting to get on with their lives'.

Maybe Mr Monkey Cum could volunteer to work in triage in an Iraq hospital for a few months?.

Think of all those immobilsed people as a captive audience to sell time share to in Pattaya........

Ooopss....sorry - he lives in comic book land - sorry. My apologies.

Really he needs what is called in Scotland a '3T' conversation. Tactile Training Thought.

Generally using means other than conversation. Oh: And no guns.

I will always, always, always, go off the deep end with any clown who advocates gun useage.

As any member of TV who has had to use one of the things will know you are left with a feeling of

dirt that will never ever go away. Ever.

Ain't no heroes who ever killed anyone - the heroes are the ones who can walk away without recourse to killing other people.

"As long as we are talking we are not fighting".

Presumably Captain Nahm Ling had the benefit of an education in the U.S.?.

[TRIPxCORE]

Farangs carrying guns in Thailand? With the amount of imbibing that goes on here by farang, letting them carry guns would just spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e!!!!!!