Motorists shot dead, burned by suspected insurgents in Yala

[webfact]

Motorists Shot Dead, Burned By Suspected Insurgents in Yala
By Khaosod English


Security officers demonstrate counter-terrorism operations for the public at a military base in Narathiwat province, 6 May 2015.

YALA — Suspected separatists shot two motorists dead and burned their bodies in the southern border province of Yala this evening.

Police say the assailants shot a man and woman inside a pick-up truck near Tan Yong village in Bannang Sata district, poured gasoline on the car, and set the vehicle on fire before fleeing the scene. The identity of the victims has not been released.

Police believe the attack was committed by local militants as a part of their bloody separatist campaign against security forces and civilians in the region. Shadowy Islamic insurgent groups have launched regular attacks since 2004 in an effort to secede Yala and its two neighboring provinces, Narathiwat and Pattani. At least 6,200 people have died in the violence, according to data compiled by human rights groups.

In a similar incident last year, a teacher riding a motorcycle was shot dead and burned in Pattani province. A pamphlet denouncing Thai authorities was found close to her body, leading police to believe insurgents were behind the attack.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1430918423&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2015-05-07

[Dannyboy666]

A Disgrace...

[Dibbler]

It's more likely the killings had something to do with a drug deal gone bad as various factions in the far south are fighting for control over the drug trade. Authorities and media over the past decade have repeatedly tried to pass these kinds of killings off as part of a separatist campaign, which is nonsense. None of the so-called insurgent groups have ever suggested they want autonomy but everyone wants control of the drug trade, and other illegal businesses which have flourished in the southern border region (wildlife trafficking, human trafficking are others).

[bangon04]

Gangsterism under the cloak of "Islamic Insurgency"....

facilitated by Thai official incompetence or complicity...

Edited May 7, 2015 by bangon04

[Docno]

It's more likely the killings had something to do with a drug deal gone bad as various factions in the far south are fighting for control over the drug trade. Authorities and media over the past decade have repeatedly tried to pass these kinds of killings off as part of a separatist campaign, which is nonsense. None of the so-called insurgent groups have ever suggested they want autonomy but everyone wants control of the drug trade, and other illegal businesses which have flourished in the southern border region (wildlife trafficking, human trafficking are others).

What makes you think these goals are mutually exclusive? Rebel/terrorist groups all over the world have been involved in the drug trade to fund their activities--Shining Path, FARC, and the Taliban come to mind--so why would it be different here. The line between terrorism and plain criminality is often a fine one. Anyone who lived through the Northern Ireland Troubles can tell you that (and old friend was a police officer there at the time). But engaging in criminality doesn't mean that these groups also don't have a political agenda.

And where do you get your assertion that "none of the so-called insurgent groups have ever suggested they want autonomy"? I thought that's the flag they all fly... well, not autonomy, but succession.

[jackanapes]

what are the security forces doing ? lets have a show of force get the job sorted these people are getting away with murder .

[Dibbler]

It's more likely the killings had something to do with a drug deal gone bad as various factions in the far south are fighting for control over the drug trade. Authorities and media over the past decade have repeatedly tried to pass these kinds of killings off as part of a separatist campaign, which is nonsense. None of the so-called insurgent groups have ever suggested they want autonomy but everyone wants control of the drug trade, and other illegal businesses which have flourished in the southern border region (wildlife trafficking, human trafficking are others).

What makes you think these goals are mutually exclusive? Rebel/terrorist groups all over the world have been involved in the drug trade to fund their activities--Shining Path, FARC, and the Taliban come to mind--so why would it be different here. The line between terrorism and plain criminality is often a fine one. Anyone who lived through the Northern Ireland Troubles can tell you that (and old friend was a police officer there at the time). But engaging in criminality doesn't mean that these groups also don't have a political agenda.

And where do you get your assertion that "none of the so-called insurgent groups have ever suggested they want autonomy"? I thought that's the flag they all fly... well, not autonomy, but succession.

Please show us the evidence! Which of these groups have publicly stated a desire to succeed from the Thai state? There is no such statement and no such agenda, only media claims of such a cause. The media and Thai govt are hoodwinking the public about the true nature of the so-called "insurgency."

[lvr181]

Re: the picture. "Security officers demonstrate counter-terrorism operations for the public at a military base in Narathiwat province, 6 May 2015."

Security can demonstrate their "prowess" as much as they like, but until someone in Government comes up with some workable ways of dealing with or dramatically reducing the problem then then killings (murder) will continue. More real action and less talk could be a start.

[ezzra]

Gangsterism under the cloak of "Islamic Insurgency"....

And yet, astonishingly, the world is full of the Islamic/Arabs/Muslims , sympathiser supporters and

champions of their ' plight' and causes... amazing in deed....

[ggt]

Graphic pictures of the people who have been slaughtered in Southern Thailand should be included in any tourist brochure luring tourist to that area of the country...

[Yunla]

Whatever ideological rags people happen to be wearing, these actions are the same around the world and through the ages, its just hate and violence wearing a different party mask.

With random violence, nobody ever wins and justice is never served. Every single time, just more innocent families crying over lost loved ones.

RIP.