3 policemen killed and 2 injured in ambush by southern militants

[webfact]

3 policemen killed and 2 injured in militant ambush

 

 

YALA: -- Three policemen were killed and two were injured in an ambush by southern militants on a local road in the middle of rubber plantations in Krong Penang district of Yala province Friday.

 

The dead policemen were identified as Pol Cpl Natthapong Chartdam,28; Pol L/Cpl Suriya Nunim,32; and Pol L/Cpl Atthaphol Luathep. The two injured were identified as Pol Cpl Siriwat Yotha,30 and Pol L/Cpl Narubet Muannoi.

 

The five policemen were riding on a white pick-up truck which was leading a convoy of two pick-up trucks on their way to Ban Benya in Tambon Purong to gather intelligence about drug trafficking in the locality. The two cars were travelling about 50 metre apart.

 

Militants who had been hiding in the rubber plantation beside the road detonated a bomb which was buried in the middle of the road setting off a powerful explosion which ripped the lead car into two parts before opening fire with their automatic rifles.

 

Three policemen on the pick-up were killed instantly and the two others injured.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/3-policemen-killed-2-injured-militant-ambush/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2016-09-23

 

[edwinchester]

Said it before, don't send the security forces out on duty in pickup trucks or on motorcycles in a war zone.

[HoboKay]

1 minute ago, edwinchester said:

Said it before, don't send the security forces out on duty in pickup trucks or on motorcycles in a war zone.

I'm certain the officials will denounce it as a war zone, please don't scare the neighbours.

[Srikcir]

Earlier this week Gen Prawit said in response to the recent reshuffle in the 4th Army Area Command in the South, the adjustment would help to improve the situation in the three southernmost provinces. 

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/gen-prawit-to-reveal-members-of-govts-deep-south-front-line-team-in-october/154677/

Small comfort for the three killed policemen.

[Joop50]

Using policemen for this job is a part of denying the problem. Army forces supposed to be better armed and better trained for these jobs. I've been there, the atmosphere was not really enjoyable.

[hansnl]

Very nice way of expressing your "religion of peace".

[eliotness]

Just a few weeks ago a government spokesman stated that violence had dropped in the South by 12% (can't remember the actual figure but it was around there).  Within days of the press release there were all the bombs and now this.   It would appear that the government has very little control over the situation and things will get worse rather than better as the government predicts.  Northern Ireland Mark 2.

[Srikcir]

40 minutes ago, eliotness said:

Just a few weeks ago a government spokesman stated that violence had dropped in the South by 12% (can't remember the actual figure but it was around there).  Within days of the press release there were all the bombs and now this.   It would appear that the government has very little control over the situation and things will get worse rather than better as the government predicts.  Northern Ireland Mark 2.

August 11: ISOC Region 4 Deputy Spokesperson Colonel Yuthanam Petchmuang said the restive south has seen 12% and 31% declines in violence and deaths respectively since January compared to a similar period last year. 

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/937223-violence-in-deep-south-declines-by-12/

 

[johnarth]

I think the real problem here is that the pm, and heads of the army, are trying to stay out of this problem as much as possible, why, if the army is allowed to go after these guys, it will more than likely be found that they are Thai- Muslims. this would - will course major problems all round. Will leave you to think about that. Next Thailand has an ever growing amount of Muslims, that is going to be a major problem soon.

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, johnarth said:

it will more than likely be found that they are Thai- Muslims

Muslims have been living in the area now called the Thailand South since the 11th century. Before you can understand the problem of the Malay-Thai insurgency in the South with the Kingdom of Thailand, you need to read some of the historical background. It's not simple nor very relatable to the Muslim conflict in the Middle East and Europe. 

[HoboKay]

7 minutes ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

 

They are not Islamic extremists.

 

They are separatists fighting for greater autonomy and/or independence for the region.

Historically, its a islamic separatist movement but with nationalism hence the call for independence/autonomy, but in the recent years, the influence of Wahhabism cannot be neglected.

[Johpa]

6 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Muslims have been living in the area now called the Thailand South since the 11th century. Before you can understand the problem of the Malay-Thai insurgency in the South with the Kingdom of Thailand, you need to read some of the historical background. It's not simple nor very relatable to the Muslim conflict in the Middle East and Europe. 

 

Alas it has become increasingly complex as the Middle Eastern variety of Islam, Salafism or Wahabism, has permeated South East Asia over the past several decades thanks in large part to Saudi oil money establishing schools propagating this very conservative interpretation of Islam or funding study abroad. What was once an irredentist independence movement now is tinged with Salafism.