Violence Erupts In The South Again

[sriracha john]

Girl, 5, injured as attacks continue

Four people, including a five-year-old girl, were injured and a man killed in Narathiwat as bombings, arson and assassinations continued to rock the South yesterday.

Ratikan Suksaen, five, was severely hurt in an attack in Cho Airong district at about 10am yesterday.

She was shot in the leg while playing with friends outside her house when four men on motorcycles sprayed a passing pick-up truck with AK-47 and shotgun fire.

Anuwar Jehdae, 37, the driver of the truck, was killed instantly. He was heading to Ban Yaning market, police said.

In nearby Rueso district, Rueso Witthaya School was the target of an arson attack in the early hours of yesterday morning. Police said suspected insurgents threw Molotov cocktails into the school, setting fire to the wooden building.

In the same district, three Muslim men were injured when militants opened fire with M-16s as they sat outside a house Wednesday night. The militants escaped on motorcycles, spreading nails across the road to prevent security forces from following, police said.

And in Si Sakhon district, security forces defused a 15 kilogram bomb found next to the district police station. Police said the device was made out of a fire extinguisher, with a digital alarm clock as a detonator. (hmm.. so much for the mobile phone SIM card registration measures mentioned in the previous post)

In nearby Chanae district, a three-to-four kilogram device was detonated outside a gas station, damaging the perimeter fence. No injuries were reported.

Despite the severity of the coordinated attacks, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra remained optimistic the authorities were on top of the situation.

Thaksin said yesterday army chief, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratakalin, who was recently given full authority for the South, would improve counter-insurgency operations.

“Gen Sonthi will work on political and military ways to quell the insurgency,” Thaksin said. “He should meet with [local] leaders in order to discuss concepts and ideas to adjust the approach to dealing with the insurgency.”

Thaksin also admitted that officials needed to work closer with local residents in the battle to win the hearts and minds of a Malay-Muslim population that for years has been complaining of political and social marginalization.

Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit said reports of 100 militant attacks on Tuesday night were inaccurate – he claimed there had been no more than 80, and that most had been minor.

“Most of them were small incidents, such as the burning of tires on roads leading to remote villages,” Chitchai said.

“Local officials should not be deemed to have failed. The series of incidents that took place were not serious and were just meant to cause disruption and confusion,” he said.

Is that what he told to the widows of the three soldiers blown up on the bridge bombing??

However, Chitchai admitted militants were finding ways around government attempts to prevent them from using mobile phones to detonate bombs. However, he would not disclose the strategies being employed by the militants or how the government planned to deal with the problem.

hmm... perhaps a ban on all digital clocks is forthcoming??

Meanwhile, security forces held a press conference in Yala yesterday to give updates on what they said were key insurgency investigations.

Region 9 Police Commander Pol Lt-Gen Adul Saengsingkaew said 19 arrest warrants would be issued for suspects in a recent attack on a teacher protection unit in Yala. One suspect, had already admitted his involvement, Pol Lt-Gen Adul said.

He also said a Muslim religious teacher had been arrested following a police investigation into the July 19 killing of a man at a tea shop in Narathiwat’s Chanae district.

Authorities put up a 500,000 baht reward for information leading to his capture, Lt-Gen Adul said.

- ThaiDay

[Jai Dee]

Interior Minister assigns officials to keep close eyes on risky areas

Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) has instructed the officials to keep close eyes on government agencies and other risky areas in the three southern border provinces, especially during the upcoming long holidays. He has urged village security units and local residents to cooperate with the authorities as the insurgents will attack in a large scale.

Air Chief Marshal Kongsak stated that the intelligence has reported that violence situation is expected to take place soon in the southern region, particularly during the long holidays. He disclosed that concerned agencies are searching for relevant information. He said the insurgents are continuously changing their plans and are taking advantages of the loophole in the security measures of the officials, in order to create the situation.

He said such attempt has affected the mental condition of local residents rather than the venues. He revealed that the officials have been ordered to keep closes on the government units and risky areas such as electricity generating house, and has asked for cooperation from village security volunteers, local residents and volunteers to help prevent such attacks.

As for the cooperation from people not to leave their residences after 20:00 hours, ACM Kongsak said he would need to conduct a study on this issue since such idea can be implemented in certain areas only.

He referred to the news claiming that a neighboring country is involved with the violence in the areas, citing that such news is untrue and would not like to relate such issue with any country as it is an internal affair. He also dismissed the rumors that the insurgents have planned to train the local youths to create more violence.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 August 2006

[Pakboong]

I amazes me how few seem to understand the day job of both the CIA and the Mossad is to demonize a particular group via civil unrest. Of course, they never get their own hands dirty.

Yea, I forgot to bring to the attention of this forum during my last visit down south all those crazy Mossad agents running around Koh Samui busy plotting beheadings and bombings in the south. But we all know that the 9-11 plot was concocted by those same crazy agents whilst vacationing on Koh Tao.

Or, perhaps you have brought the ol' bong up to your pak a few too many times.

I simply point out it is their everyday job and as such, the rocks that they live under must searched

[Jai Dee]

Bomb blasted in Tak Bai, but no one was injured

A bomb was detonated this morning while security units were providing safety for monks who were asking for alms in Tak Bai District of Narathiwat Province.

At 6:20 hours this morning, a group of insurgents planted a bomb near Mathayom Tak Bai intersection and detonated it with a mobile phone. During the explosion, military officers and volunteers were guarding monks who were asking for alms. The explosion caused a loud blast, but fortunately, no one was injured. Traffic police closed down the blasted area and coordinated with the bomb salvaging team in Narathiwat. The mobile phone and the scraps of bomb materials were collected as evidence.

Officials were looking into the closed circuit television, and they have found the suspects. Officials are now tracking down the offenders who are looking to escape from the area.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 August 2006

[sriracha john]

Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit said, "The series of incidents that took place were not serious."

The body of Command Sergeant Major Yongyuth Kudsing, who was killed in an explosion in Pattani’s Nong Chik district, arrives at his hometown in Ratchaburi. A royal cremation will take place on Thursday.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Command Sargeant Major Yongyuth's surviving family members probably disagree with Deputy PM Chitchai's assessment.

His increasingly-common misstatements , eg. like the one above and the "no illegal immigrants in Thailand within 5 months" are putting him on a par with the PM.

[Losangels]

With statements like "it is not serious situation", "every thing is under control", "we know who the culprits are", "we are on the right course" etc. I wonder if they really know whats going on, or even worse if they really bother?

[sriracha john]

Army seeks to clarify the chief’s role in the South

Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonya-ratakalin will play no part in military strategy in the restive South and will instead focus his efforts on finding political and social solutions to the crisis, the army said yesterday.

Gen Sonthi’s new role – which has so far been shrouded in ambiguity – will involve strengthening bonds with local people and Islamic and political leaders, rather than coordinating counterinsurgency operations, spokesman Col Acra Thiproj said.

“The power given to the army chief is not to suppress the insurgency,” he said. “His role is to implement political policy using the military. He is already working with local government officials and local people to create unity in his operation.”

Gen Sonthi is the first Muslim to be given the army’s top job. He is known to be popular with local people in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani, where 80 percent of the population are ethnic Malay Muslims.

With relations between local Muslims and the government at an all-time low, Gen Sonthi has ordered the military to work on its civil affairs policies.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last week transferred “full authority” over the South to the army chief, although some analysts have speculated that the motive behind the appointment was to make him the fall guy for the government’s failure to quell the unrest.

...and it is also an admission by Thaksin that he has failed miserably whilst he had "full authority" over the South.

Gen Sonthi is due to visit the southernmost provinces over the next few days.

Col Acra said the army chief was determined to make sure the government’s controversial emergency decree was not abused by military personnel.

“Gen Sonthi wants to keep the peace,” he said. “The chief insists that every government official exercises care when using the powers of the emergency decree in order to prevent bad feelings among local people.”

The decree allows security forces to ban public gatherings, impose curfews, tap phones and detain suspects without charge for 30 days.

Since emergency rule was declared, police and soldiers – who are immune from prosecution – have been accused of a string of abuses, including torture, kidnapping, beatings and murder.

Col Acra made no comment on reports that the military was to increase its troop numbers in the region.

Meanwhile, a teacher protection unit escaped with their lives yesterday after a roadside bomb exploded in Yala leaving a large crater in the road, police said. It went off as they passed the site of the bombing, but no one was hurt.

The insurgency in the deep South has claimed more than 1,300 lives over the last two-and-a-half years, with the government struggling to end the daily violence.

Security forces were left shell-shocked for the second time in six weeks after the region was hit by over 100 coordinated bomb and arson attacks across four provinces on Tuesday night.

- ThaiDay

[sriracha john]

oh.. now here's rhetoric that won't escalate matters, will it??

and to think that just only last week Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra transferred “full authority” over the South to the army chief General Sonthi.

I guess having "full authority" doesn't necessarily mean that others within the Thaksin regime won't stop from voicing such nonsense as:

Army needs to retaliate against violent attacks in South

Caretaker Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura said Saturday the Army needs to retaliate against the violent attacks by Muslim militants in three southern border provinces.

He said the retaliations should be made promptly when the militant launched their attacks.

He cited the example when soldiers came out to fight with the militants and killed two of them and captured four shortly after they attacked a police station.

"We have to take control of the situation instead of letting them hit without hitting them back. You are a boxer so you have to hit your opponents. If you stand still and only guard yourself, you can be knocked out," Thamarak said.

"Once they launch attacks, we have to retaliate because they don't care about innocent people."

The Nation

[womble]

One of the things that amazes me the most is just how long this nonsense is allowed to continue with absolutley no end in sight. One of the biggest problems has to be that most Thai people, except those in the deep south seem in the most part not too bothered by the daily killings. It's only when it's a monk or kids or similar that it seems to grab their attention.

As with so many problems in this country, half of it boils down to the electorate not holding their leaders accountable. They do not ask enough questions, and do not demand results.

And what the hel_l is Thamarrak even doing still in government, he should have been booted out long ago for paying small parties.

This place is a complete joke, when will anyone be accountable for anything???

[sriracha john]

Senator shot in Narathiwat

A caretaker senator was critically injured in a drive-by shooting yesterday as violence continued to rock the deep South. Three other gun attacks left one person dead and three injured.

The incidents came as a report indicated that more than 70 per cent of surveillance cameras installed in official buildings in the three southernmost provinces are not functioning.

Fackrudin Boto, a Muslim senator for Narathiwat, survived the shooting and was in stable condition after a four-hour operation said Chamlong Rattanaphan, deputy director of Narathiwat Rachanakarin Hospital.

Fackrudin was riding his motorbike to his home in Darusalam Islamic School after buying groceries and having tea with friends in a local market. When he was about 200 metres away from the school, a gunman riding pillion on a motorbike opened fire with an 11-millimetre pistol, aiming at his head. Fackrudin saw the attack coming and moved to avoid it, but one bullet hit his cheek, said police.

Colonel Manote Anandritthikul of Rangae district police said the shooting might be related to a dispute at Fackrudin's Darusalam Islamic School, the biggest in Narathiwat with nearly 5,000 students.

Manote said Fackrudin recently expelled nearly 100 students for misbehaviour. Among those expelled were 20 female students who were pregnant. The rest were male students suspected of using or selling drugs.

These students might have made up a story to tell their parents, which made the parents angry, or they might have sought revenge themselves, Manote said.

Nonetheless, the police could not rule out insurgency as the possible motive, he said.

However, Narathiwat governor Pracha Therat insisted there was no link between the attack on Fackrudin and the ongoing violence in the deep South. uhmm.. violence is violence... He said that he had already assigned officials to check if the expelled students had any links with suspected militants in the area.

Pracha also warned local politicians to be on alert during the upcoming election campaign as arson attacks by opponents could be blamed on insurgents.

In Narathiwat's Rusoh district, Chanan Chanpeeya, 20, the son of a municipality chief, Kavi Chanpeeya, was injured when two gunmen opened fire while he was standing outside his house, said police. He was hit in the stomach.

Just 800 metres away, Naris Soramud, 50, and his wife Ngern Soramud, 49, were shot while at work in a charcoal factory.

All three victims were sent to a local hospital.

Police said two suspected Muslim insurgents riding a motorbike opened fire at Chanan with a .38 pistol before riding to the charcoal factory and shooting the couple.

Police suspected the three shootings might have been a diversionary tactic against a combined force of 60 police, soldiers and local administrators who were raiding a village in Rusoh district.

In Pattani's Nong Chik district, Suthin Boonklean, 59, was found dead by a roadside next to his motorbike. Investigating officials found two bullets in his body and suspected Muslim militants were behind the attack.

The shootings came five days after suspected separatist militants staged their biggest show of force in weeks, with some 100 bombings and arson attacks in the South on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, a source in the Forward Command of Yala's Interior Ministry Office claimed that less than 30 per cent of 1,000 surveillance cameras in three southernmost provinces were working.

"The three governors have urged the Interior Ministry to tell the company that set up these cameras to fix them because we do not have the right to do so," said the source, adding that the company had a direct contract with the Interior Ministry.

So far, there had been no response from the ministry.

"I don't know if these cameras are of low quality, but the work of officials in tracking down suspected insurgents could have been more efficient had these cameras worked properly," the source said.

Nearly 1,400 people have been killed in the mainly Muslim southern provinces since violence erupted in January 2004.

The Nation

[Jai Dee]

Southern senator wounded in drive-by

NARATHIWAT – Two people were killed and four others critically wounded, among them a Senator, in more violence across the restive southernmost provinces yesterday, police said.

Fakruddin Bothor, 52, an outgoing Narathiwat senator, was riding his motorcycle from a market in Rangae district early yesterday when he was shot in the face by two men on another motorcycle.

Witnesses said the men trailed Fakruddin – who runs an Islamic school – and shot him once with an 11-millimeter handgun. He was being treated in the hospital last night.

The gunmen approached him and prepared to shoot him as he laid injured on the ground, witnesses said, but they fled because of the crowds nearby.

Police speculated that the attack may have been an act of revenge following Fakruddin’s decision last week to expel more than 100 students from his school.

Pol Col Manot Annanrittikul, chief superintendant of Rangae police, said many people were angry with Fakruddin after he ordered the expulsion of students who had become pregnant or addicted to drugs.

“It caused a lot of tension and has made people angry and vengeful,” he said. “But we cannot rule out the possibility that this was the work of insurgents.”

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra admitted tackling the insurgency in the deep South was an uphill struggle and voiced concerns about the attempted assassination of the outgoing senator.

“I have not heard the exact details about this, but this is a major concern,” Thaksin told reporters. “This is a very complicated problem and it is proving difficult to solve.”

Pracha Taeret, Narathiwat governor, said the attack may have been random, and everyone in the region was at risk.

“This can happen to anyone at the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said.

In Rueso district, three people were wounded in drive-by shootings, while a bomb exploded near a train station.

The son of the Rueso mayor was critically wounded after he was shot by gunmen on a motorcycle, police said. Chanan Chanbiya, 20, was shot twice in the back while sat outside his home.

Just a kilometer further down the road, two coal workers were wounded in another drive-by shooting as they walked home. Around the same time, a small bomb exploded near a railway depot, but there were no injuries.

Buddhist civilian Suthin Bunkling, 52, was shot and killed as he rode his motorcycle in Pattani’s Nong Chik district yesterday morning, police said.

In Yala, a rubber tapper was ambushed and killed on his way to a plantation in Krong Pinang.

Police said suspected insurgents hid at 28-year-old Booriya Dulamaehayee’s rubber plantation and riddled his body with bullets from M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles as he arrived.

The attacks were the latest to hit the troubled provinces along the Malaysian border, where more than 1,300 people have been killed in the last two-and-a-half years, mostly in drive-by shootings

Source: ThaiDay - 7 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Gen. Ruangroj rejected the news on gunmen traveled to the South

The Supreme Commander, Gen. Ruangroj Mahasaranond, turned down the rumor that a group of gunmen traveled to the deep South in order to assassinate the local civilians. Nevertheless, he ordered the officials to be prepared and protect themselves.

Gen. Ruangroj said the officials have been ordered to inspect the situation and prevent such occurrence to take place. They have also been reinstructed to be more cautious while performing their duties. In addition, the preventive plan has been adjusted continually.

As for the assassination attempt against Interim Narathiwat Senator Fharuddin Boto, the Supreme Commander said the incident was a personal matter, but it could affect the stability in the area.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 August 2006

[Losangels]

One of the things that amazes me the most is just how long this nonsense is allowed to continue with absolutley no end in sight. One of the biggest problems has to be that most Thai people, except those in the deep south seem in the most part not too bothered by the daily killings. It's only when it's a monk or kids or similar that it seems to grab their attention.

As with so many problems in this country, half of it boils down to the electorate not holding their leaders accountable. They do not ask enough questions, and do not demand results.

And what the hel_l is Thamarrak even doing still in government, he should have been booted out long ago for paying small parties.

This place is a complete joke, when will anyone be accountable for anything???

Very good point made and totally agree. Its very difficult to get a general Thai person to be accountable for anything.

No one seems to be responsible for things that don't work or go wrong. The higher their career status the less they can be held accountable for any failure. Very sad and dangerous indeed

[Jai Dee]

The case on interim Narathiwat Senator is being investigated

Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana ordered Narathiwat Governor Pracha Terat to inspect the history of a student who shot the interim senator of the province. The minister however believed that the incident was not triggered by the southern insurgents.

ACM Kongsak said the case is currently under investigation, and many points have been raised, including politics, personal matter, and the southern unrest. As for the news regarding the group of insurgents who set five assailants in each southern province, he said these people have been well trained to create social disorder. However, the officials are keeping a close eye on these insurgents.

The Interior Minister said he agreed with Defense Minister Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya’s proactive approach in curbing the unrest in the deep South. He said all sides have to perform their assigned duties and work together.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Gen. Chitchai refused to express opinions over the setting of gunmen in southern region

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (เอกชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) has refused to comment on the dispatch of five gunmen in each province and stated that the officials have been instructed to be prudent and to publicize in order to create good understanding with local residents.

Gen. Chitchai referred to the statement of Narathiwat (นราธิวาส) Governor Pracha Terat that five gunmen have been located in each southernmost province so the officials would be blamed for the situation in their areas.

The Justice Minister said the officials are working on the issues and they are being cautious at all times. He added that countering with the unrest situation can be done under the rules and regulations, whereas the officials are informing the local residents to develop a better understanding among them.

Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai has assigned the Minister of Defense and the Secretary to the National Security Council to discuss with the Army Commander to replace the officials in the areas with field armies.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Gen. Thammarak would like the number of unrest events in the South to reduce soon

The Defense Minister, Gen. Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya, stated that the officials have to urgently reduce the number of daily unrest events in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. They also have to speedily develop a sense of unity in the region.

Gen. Thammarak stated that the intelligence can help lessen the number of daily disorder incidents in the deep South and bring about social unity. He said the army commanders will have to directly supervise the region, in order to develop unity. However, he said that this issue takes time.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Business operators still hesitate to invest in the deep South

The Inspector-General of the Finance Ministry, Mr. Chawalit Setthamethikul, has indicated that business operators from other regions of Thailand have not invested in the three southern border provinces as they are concerned of the current unrest situation.

Mr. Chawalit said the Ministry of Finance has a policy to help the business operators in the deep South by reducing their tax payments. The Bank of Thailand also offers low interest rates for loans for one more year, in order to promote investment in the region.

The Inspector-General however said that some suggestions made by the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries cannot be implemented, but the officials will continue to be lenient on tax issues for the southern business operators.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 August 2006

[sriracha john]

Violence and shootings continue unabated... with the shooting of the Senator and now an MP's sister, perhaps politicians and their families are the "target de jeur" :

Former MP's sister shot in South

NARATHIWAT (TNA) - The younger sister of a former parliamentarian in this southern border province was slightly wounded in a drive-by shooting early Tuesday, only two days after an outgoing senator here was seriously wounded by an unidentified gunman. Fauziya Uttarasin, 50, sister of Areepen Uttarasin, a former Narathiwat member of parliament, was shot by a gun-wielding passenger on a motorcycle. She told police that she heard four gunshots while selling food in her foodshop. One bullet hit her right arm.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=112075

[Jai Dee]

An assailant used a war weapon to kill a villager in Yala

An assailant used a war weapon to kill a villager at a rubber plantation in Yaha District of Yala Province.

At around 08:15 hours today, Yaha District Chief Suphanat Sirantawinet received a report on the offense and had ordered officers to investigate the crime scene at a rubber plantation. The victim was identified as Mr. Sama-air Saniming, a 43-year-old Thai massager.

The weapon used was an AKA rifle, and Mr. Sama-air was shot in the head and body and died instantly.

Following the investigation, the victim was working in the rubber plantation prior to the attack. Officers are now enclosing the area, in order to prevent the culprit from escaping.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Gen Sonthi visits Deep South to find cooperation on handling chaos

Army Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน) has traveled to the deep South, to discuss cooperative measures in solving the disorder with religious leaders.

On August 12th, Buddhist, Christian and Islamic religious leaders of will jointly do a religion ceremony. Gen. Sonthi said this is a good chance for him to discuss this issue of cooperation with all of them.

In the meantime, he has given encouragement to the authorities in the South. He added that it is the authorities’ duty in providing security for residents. However, the armed forces should also motivate the officers who are performing their duties in this region.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 August 2006

[sriracha john]

Violence Won't Worsen During Election Period, Says Thaksin

BANGKOK, Aug 10 -- Thailand's Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Wednesday expressed confidence that violence in the country's far South would not worsen during the period before the upcoming general election set on October 15.

The Thai News Agency (TNA) reported that the prime minister did not hastily conclude that recent attacks on local politicians in the violence-plagued region was purely the work of insurgents, saying the motives were varied.

Thaksin's remarks were made in response to the shooting of outgoing Narathiwat Senator Faqruddin Boto last Sunday, leaving him seriously wounded, and an incident Tuesday in which Faoseeya Utarasin, sister of former Thai Rak Thai MP Areepen Utarasin, was slightly wounded by what was believed to be a stray bullet in front of her house in the same province.

The incidents prompted local politicians to seek protection as they fear that the insurgents would target politically prominent figures in the restive region.

To address the concern, Thaksin said that he had assigned Deputy Prime Minister Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanastidya to discuss with Royal Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin how to protect those expected to be targeted by the insurgents.

Asked if he thought the incidents were politically motivated, the premier said that the situation stemmed from mixed causes--national and local political conflicts, 'influential figures,' and the drug trade--which were hard to separate from one another.

"So it can't be concluded that it was caused by the insurgents. It might be the work of some political group," Thaksin said.

However, the prime minister said he was confident that the violence in the troubled region would not escalate during the period of election campaigns.

- BERNAMA

-------------------------------------------------------------

[Jai Dee]

ACM Kongsak: Violence in Deep South will not escalate into international terrorism

Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) is confident that the unrest situation in the three southern border provinces will not expand out of the area and become international terrorism.

Air Chief Marshal Kongsak said after meeting with the Army Commander as to ask for cooperation for the authorities to work as a main unit in order to arrest the culprit for using the force to block the area in the southern most provinces.

He said the authorities will fully cooperate with related agencies and that all sides should work together. He said authorities working as a mediator will reduce refutation in the area. He said district chiefs will be assigned to work on the matter.

As for the news reported by BBC news that Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO) will carry out attacks on Bangkok and Phuket, ACM Kongsak said he has no idea about the intention of such report. He said the situation in the southern provinces remains under control and it will not turn into international terrorism.

He said concerned agencies will issue a document in order to inform the impact of such news on the image of the country following the news reported by BBC.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2006

[Losangels]

ACM Kongsak: Violence in Deep South will not escalate into international terrorism

Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) is confident that the unrest situation in the three southern border provinces will not expand out of the area and become international terrorism.

He said the situation in the southern provinces remains under control and it will not turn into international terrorism

.

Yeah under the control of the terrorist. What is he talking about!!? Does under control means daily killings are acceptable? Better not turn into international terrorism or is it too late?

He said concerned agencies will issue a document in order to inform the impact of such news on the image of the country following the news reported by BBC.

There you go again. Worrying about the image of the country. There are crisis to be solved in the far South, THAT WHAT YOU SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Education Institutes in Yala is speeding up to restore mental health of violence victims

Education Institutes in Yala (ยะลา) Province are speeding up to restore the mental health of the residents who have been affected by the regional unrest.

The director of a school in Yala, Mrs. Warangkana Wichitpan (วรางคนา วิจิตรพันธ์), said that since the violence in the deep South has taken place, many students in the province have lost their parents due to the brutal attacks. Therefore, she has issued policies to assist them by support them with educational tools as well as helping restore their mental health.

Ms. Suneenart Promwithan (สุนีนาถ พรหมวิฐาน), said that she has lost her father from such violence, but she can continue her life as her school has supported her by allowing her to study in the school without to pay for any expenses and give her advices in many matters.

The violence in the deep South has caused a huge impact to the local youths, and therefore, relevant units should help give encouragement and take care of them so that they can continue their lives normally.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 August 2006

[sriracha john]

Policeman killed in drive-by shooting

Narathiwat - A police sergeant major was fatally injured in another drive-by shooting in this southern border province Saturday morning.

Pol Sgt Maj Thawat Buasri, 35, was shot one time on his back while he was leaving his house to work in Rusoh district at 6 am.

He died later at the Rusoh District Hospital for excessive loss of blood.

Police said two gunmen arrived on a motorcycle and fired one shot at the policeman and fled.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

Soldiers conduct a house-to-house search following an overnight shooting in Thailand's restive southern Narathiwat province. Four Thais, including a two-year-old boy, have been shot dead by suspected Islamic militants in the kingdom's insurgency-torn south, police said. (AFP)

Four shot dead in Thailand's restive south

YALA, Thailand - Four Thais, including a two-year-old boy, have been shot dead by suspected Islamic militants in the kingdom's insurgency-torn south, police said.

A 35-year-old Buddhist police officer was gunned down early Saturday at his house in Narathiwat, one of three restive southern provinces along the Malaysian border, they said.

Also in Narathiwat, a group of militants stormed the house of a 48-year-old Muslim villager late Friday and killed him and his two-year-old son, police said.

In neighboring Yala province, insurgents also shot dead a 38-year-old Muslim government employee late Friday.

The three provinces were an ethnic Malay sultanate until Buddhist Thailand annexed them a century ago.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in the mainly Muslim provinces since the latest violence erupted in January 2004.

Local government officials, police, troops and Buddhists are often targeted by Islamic insurgents, but Muslims seen as sympathetic to the government are also attacked.

Officials have said the bloodshed includes not only separatist violence but also fighting tied to organized crime, smuggling and local corruption.

- AFP

[fruittbatt]

Soldiers conduct a house-to-house search following an overnight shooting in Thailand's restive southern Narathiwat province. Four Thais, including a two-year-old boy, have been shot dead by suspected Islamic militants in the kingdom's insurgency-torn south, police said. (AFP)

Four shot dead in Thailand's restive south

YALA, Thailand - Four Thais, including a two-year-old boy, have been shot dead by suspected Islamic militants in the kingdom's insurgency-torn south, police said.

A 35-year-old Buddhist police officer was gunned down early Saturday at his house in Narathiwat, one of three restive southern provinces along the Malaysian border, they said.

Also in Narathiwat, a group of militants stormed the house of a 48-year-old Muslim villager late Friday and killed him and his two-year-old son, police said.

In neighboring Yala province, insurgents also shot dead a 38-year-old Muslim government employee late Friday.

The three provinces were an ethnic Malay sultanate until Buddhist Thailand annexed them a century ago.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in the mainly Muslim provinces since the latest violence erupted in January 2004.

Local government officials, police, troops and Buddhists are often targeted by Islamic insurgents, but Muslims seen as sympathetic to the government are also attacked.

Officials have said the bloodshed includes not only separatist violence but also fighting tied to organized crime, smuggling and local corruption.

- AFP

The situation in the South seems to parallel the current political situation in Sri Lanka, with a separatist minority asking for the impossible, and a government which denies many Muslims in the south equal economic opportunities and fair political representation. then there are the complicating factors of crime, a divided Muslim community, corruption etc. It seems to me that it is democracy itself which is working to exclude minorities, yet democracy would seem to be the best political system available at the moment. Maybe a re-definiton of "peace" to include affirmative action for the rights of minorities is long overdue....

[sriracha john]

another day, another bombing... more death and carnage... the plotters are being more deceptive with the frequency of "set-ups" to specifically target the police are increasing:

Bomb kills two in Thailand's south

NARATHIWAT - Two villagers were killed and injured 11 others injured Sunday in a bomb attack by suspected Islamic militants in Thailand's restive south, local authorities said.

The attack occurred after 12 police officers were lured to a shooting death of a villager in Narathiwat, one of three southern provinces plagued by separatist violence and other unrest.

Local police said the shooting was a ploy to attract the officers.

When police arrived at the scene, a bomb hidden in a motorcycle exploded killing one villager instantly while six other onlookers were injured. One later died in hospital.

Authorities initially reported that one policeman was killed in the blast, but later confirmed that six police officers were injured but none died in the attack in Ra Ngae district.

The attack followed the killing late Saturday of police corporal Uthit Sanitnong, who was shot dead while on patrol outside a village in Pattani province.

The three provinces along the Malaysian border were an ethnic Malay sultanate until Buddhist Thailand annexed them a century ago, and separatist unrest has simmered ever since.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in the mainly Muslim provinces since the latest violence erupted in January 2004.

Agence France-Presse

[Jai Dee]

SOUTHERN VIOLENCE

Three killed in shop attack

Eleven wounded, three critically; Army hopes next month's amnesty will convince insurgents to lay down arms

Two people were killed and 11 others, including six soldiers, were injured in a bomb blast in Rangae district yesterday when they arrived to inspect the scene of the killing of a motorbike shop owner.

Three of the soldiers from Task Force 34 are in critical condition in hospital.

Kim Sae-Kong was shot dead in his shop earlier in what officials believe was part of a plot to lure authorities to the scene with the aim of killing them with a bomb hidden in a motorbike.

Suspected Muslim insurgents have used such tactics several times with success over the past few months in order to create greater casualties among the authorities and to bring fear to the restive South. Meanwhile, Police Lt-Corporal Uthit Sanitnong was shot dead late on Saturday night while on patrol outside a village in Yarang district in Pattani province.

Earlier yesterday, a combined force of 100 police, soldiers and local officials raided two villages in Rangae district but did not find any evidence related to insurgents.

Police and soldiers are among the most targeted groups by the insurgents, but teachers and local government officials were also targeted in the bomb attacks.

The government has initiated several projects and policies - including the Emergency Law - aimed at curbing the violence and restoring peace in the region, with little success.

The Army, however, hopes an amnesty will win over the insurgents, who have been invited to surrender next month, Army commander-in-chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told TNA yesterday.

The amnesty is designed to give young fighters a chance to "turn over a new leaf" if they are ambivalent about their involvement in a murderous underground army, he said.

The scheme will coincide with the creation of new ranger units made up of local recruits from the three troubled provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

He said the Army was willing to spend around Bt750 million a year supporting these new units.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in the Muslim-majority provinces since January 2004.

The Army has said many times that it had made intelligence breakthroughs and important militant arrests, yet appears unable to contain the attacks on officials, teachers, police and civilians.

Military analysts said that both schemes might appear sensible but that they would struggle to overcome the suspicion of the overwhelmingly Muslim population of the southern provinces, where militants often closely monitor the allegiance of ordinary people. Previous amnesties have proven unpopular and attempts to create village militia became controversial after reports that many villagers gave up their government guns to insurgents.

The government is concerned about at least containing the violence in the three southern provinces and away from important tourist centres like Phuket and the capital Bangkok. The failure of the insurgent groups to make any specific demands or even to properly identify themselves has helped confound the authorities.

It is widely assumed the rebels want autonomy or independence.Sonthi said strong efforts would be made to persuade ordinary Muslims to join the ranger units and to get involved with bringing peace to the South.

In the past, locally recruited security units have been made up of Buddhists, often with a limited ability to communicate in the local language, a dialect of Malay.

Source: The Nation - 14 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Yala province will provide occupational training to victims of the southern violence

The Yala provincial administration is to provide people affected by the southern violence occupational training in the fields of livestock raising, fishery, crop production and trade and services.

Yala Governor Boonyasit Suwannarat (บุญสิทธ์ สุวรรณรัตน์) said the training is part of the remedy project for victims of the southern unrest so they can go on with their lives.

Mr. Boonyasit said the project has already paid compensation worth nearly 158 million baht to 995 people who lost their families or who were injured in violent attacks in the far south.

Aside from financial assistance, scholarships and jobs will also be provided to affected people, he added.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 August 2006