Suppression operation to be launched against insurgents in Deep South



NARATHIWAT: -- The southern-based Fourth Army Region has ordered the launch of a military operation to crack down on a gang of insurgents responsible for the seizure of Cho-Airong district hospital in Narathirat on Sunday evening.

Colonel Yutthanam Petchmuang, deputy spokesman of the forward command of the Internal Security Operations Command, told the media on Tuesday that security forces suspected a gang led by Arsuemee Putae or Suedee Putae was responsible for the hospital’s seizure.

He said that the attackers also came from Ra-nage and Su-ngai Padi districts to join with the gang in Cho-airong district in the seizure of the hospital and attack of a paramilitary ranger’s outpost near the hospital. At least seven rangers were wounded in the attack.

The colonel also said that Lt-Gen Wiwat Pathompark, commander of the Fourth Army Region, ordered the launch of a suppression operation to hunt down the gang and other insurgents in the Deep South.

Security at hospitals in the region which are vulnerable has also been ordered to be stepped up as a precautionary measure.

The colonel added that medical staff and patients at Cho-airong hospital would be properly compensated following the incident, said the colonel.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/155218


-- Thai PBS 2016-03-16

Is this any different to the current suppression of the whole country. The hub of suppression!

As always, I'm sure the gangs appreciate the advance warning.

So no strategic planning or ops to prevent such an attack, just another knee jerk, publicly trumpeted "crackdown" after the event.

I wonder how much budget this masterpiece of a military operation will "require"?

Edited March 16, 201610 yr by arthurboy

So no strategic planning or ops to prevent such an attack, just another knee jerk, publicly trumpeted "crackdown" after the event.

I wonder how much budget this masterpiece of a military operation will "require"?

The publicly trumpeted "crackdown" is for the law abiding citizenry to justify the baht required for the "crackdown."

I wonder if they have a clear-cut objective, because this issue, imho, is never going to be resolved.

I wonder if they have a clear-cut objective, because this issue, imho, is never going to be resolved.

It can be resolved, one way or the other, peacefully or by force. But not by meaningless "announcements".

Speak softly and carry a big stick - Theodore Roosevelt.

Maybe their modeling after the US occupation of Afghanistan? At least the Russians had enough sense to know when to leave that pile of rocks and give it back to the goats and poppy farmers. It's called cutting your losses. I don't necessarily see that happening in the Southern 3 provinces. They'll just endure the 'death by 1000 cuts' while announcing that they are making progress. Sure. One IED at a time. "Boom" Another Thai kid goes home in a plastic bag. Plenty of cannon fodder in the North.

Edited March 16, 201610 yr by connda