Maximum security installed in South as today marks 13th anniversary of Krue Se mosque raid

 

 

PATTANI: -- All southern border towns were placed under maximum security alert for possible violent attacks by militants as today marked the 13th anniversary of the Krue Se mosque raid in Pattani where over a hundred of militants were killed by government authorities in fierce clashes.

 

The Fourth Army Region warned all local authorities to stay alert, and ordered more road checkpoints to be set up to check all vehicles entering the towns.

 

Special attention was also given in areas where security authorities have declared as safety zones.

 

The maximum alert came one day after southern militants ambushed a pickup truck killing six Army rangers in Narathiwat province.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/maximum-security-installed-south-today-marks-13th-anniversary-krue-se-mosque-raid/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-04-28

17 hours ago, webfact said:

possible violent attacks by militants

When are attacks not violent?

 

17 hours ago, webfact said:

maximum alert

Nothing like concentration of Thai military to attract attacks.

The military has generally avoided direct exposure during 2017, letting "defense volunteers" and paramilitary contractors fill government security gaps (especially in the military designated safe zones) to take the brunt of insurgent attacks. If the insurgents begin now to direct more attacks against the military than government sympathizers, it could mean a strategic shift that will signal more aggressive attacks directly against the military and its controlled government.

1 hour ago, oby said:

obviously head to thailand to continue the genocide.

What is obvious is that they (ISIL/Daesh insurgents) have yet to do so, even before the ISIL caliphate was declared.

 

Thailand's southern provinces would seem a natural migration for ISIL given the historical Buddhist-oriented Thai military suppression of Islam in southern Thailand that has 95% Muslim sunni population, largely uncontrolled jungle border with Malaysia and Malaysians seem to be joining ISIS at a higher rate than Indonesians. https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/malaysias-isis-conundrum/

There is also a history and culture that reflects a real Muslim caliphate that once existed in the area of now southern Thailand.

 

So the danger of ISIL to Thailand is less plain. Iroincally, it may be the existence of a vigorous and organized Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand led mostly by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional group that is forestalling ISIL penetration.

http://thediplomat.com/2016/03/islamic-state-in-thailand-a-phantom-threat/

 

However, to date I believe that the Thai military has refused to negotiate peace talks with BNR in good faith. So if BRN sees a need to expand their insurgency manpower/firepower and strategic targets (historically restricted to southern Thailand) in the face of perceived perpetual fight, BRN might be tempted to use (or threaten?) ISIL assistance to bring greater pressure against the Kingdom of Thailand to negotiate.

On 4/28/2017 at 9:10 AM, webfact said:

Maximum security installed in South as today marks 13th anniversary of Krue Se mosque raid

 

Massacre, not raid.