- Published: 21/09/2012 at 07:10 PM
- Writer: AFP
Nurses scrambled to attend to the wave of bloodied casualties in the main hospital in Sai Buri district, an AFP reporter at the scene said, adding blood donations were urgently required to help the wounded."There are six dead now, three men and three women," a Public Health ministry official said in Bangkok, a toll confirmed by the local hospital."Altogether 41 people have been wounded either from shrapnel or burns," she said, adding 19 "seriously injured" people had been ferried to bigger provincial hospitals.An army spokesman said militants opened fire on shops in Sai Buri town centre shortly after Friday prayers in the Muslim-majority region to lure security forces to the scene, before detonating the bomb.A complex insurgency calling for greater autonomy has plagued Thailand's Muslim-majority far south near the border with Malaysia since 2004, claiming more than 5,300 lives, both Buddhist and Muslim, with near daily bomb or gun attacks.The bomb, which sparked a fire that destroyed several shops, was meant as a warning to locals not to talk with security forces after nearly 100 suspected militants "surrendered" last week, according to Col Pramote Prom-in, an army spokesman in the South."The perpetrators are the hardcore and do not want a peaceful solution (to the conflict) so they wanted to terrorise residents not to take side with government," Col Pramote said. "But it will not affect the government's efforts."In response to an increase in violence over the summer, authorities said they had renewed peace talks with militant leaders."Don't call it negotiations ... but there are talks to achieve peace which is a crucial government policy," Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said in August.But the attacks have continued.Analysts say the lattice of militant groups operating in the lush, forested three southernmost provinces are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to carry out co-ordinated assaults.Dozens of members of Thailand's security forces have been killed in recent weeks in ambushes and roadside bombs, while civilians perceived to have collaborated with authorities are also routinely executed.
Share your thoughts
- Discussion 1 : 22/09/2012 at 03:04 AM
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Calling for change and bashing mr Chalerm, wont make a difference in reconcilation efforts.
The hardcore boys are playing a very dangerous game, a game they ultimatly will loose.
It seems they are prepared to "go all the way now" which makes their presence the more dangerous.
Without spreading rumors or panic, this will spread beyond the southern region, and if it hits BKK or other places then the south, i am afraid the days of the big(hardcore) boys are numbered.
Thai authority will have the ultimate reason to act with all the firepower they have.
To avoid this scenario, i recommend the use of drones, NO please! not to bomb suspected hide outs,
no!no, but to track the Big Boys down 24/7 in such a way that going to the toilet without full metal jacket army gear would be suicide!
- Discussion 2 : 22/09/2012 at 02:08 AM
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Israel and the West are successful in fighting the War on Terror because they take the fight to the terrorists, using all kinds of new technology, and new strategy, focusing on Intel gathering capability. They believe "The best defense is the best offense." So, can anyone tell me what is Thailand's strategy in fighting the terrorists in the Deep South? Is it to wait until the terrorists are tired of killing innocent people and blowing things up?
- Discussion 3 : 21/09/2012 at 10:06 PM
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With the government clueless as to what to do and at the rate things are going, I honestly fear the day we read about a car bomb going off in Phuket or Bangkok in a crowded area. No longer a far-fetched thought and very scary. This is of the utmost importance.
- Discussion 4 : 21/09/2012 at 10:05 PM
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You call this more expected defections and to surrender voluntarily ??? No way, I guessed !!!
- Discussion 5 : 21/09/2012 at 09:18 PM
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This continues to be a sad chapter in Thai history. The current government needs to quit talking and start acting. There has to be increased intelligence(an oxymoron in this case) which uncovers these attacks. I can't believe that no one in these communities is willing to give up the insurgents. Put a 10M baht bounty on their heads.
PTP needs to get their priorities straight in this case. In a nutshell, the problem is that PTP knows they will never get votes from the South so they don't care.
- Discussion 6 : 21/09/2012 at 09:07 PM
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Why does not Chalerm send down his sharp-shooting son down south?
- Discussion 7 : 21/09/2012 at 08:46 PM
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This is quite a odd war or insurgency. Not sure what to call it actually. Bombs go off with regularity. Thai Army personnel and police are gunned down with impunity. Aside from the killing at Tai Bai and the Krue Se Mosque Incident, once in while a insurgent is killed or captured. It seems the Thai military just moves about waiting to be attacked and has accepted the attrition the insurgents lay upon them. Getting orders to deploy in South Thailand must be a terrible thing for a young soldier. There seems to be nothing the Thai forces can do to stop the insurgency. It is like they are just waiting for it to end on it’s own and seem willing to accept the loses inflicted upon them by these Ghostly warriors.
- Discussion 8 : 21/09/2012 at 08:09 PM
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All tribute to the medical personnel who through thick and thin have remained to attend to those unfortunate people. God bless you all.
- Discussion 9 : 21/09/2012 at 08:02 PM
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The result of this means one reason. The Royal Thai Army & Police are hopelessly useless in the way they manage the south. Please seek advice from the Israel Defence Force and learn more on how to tackle these senseless killers.
- Discussion 10 : 21/09/2012 at 08:01 PM
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I wonder if Chalerm is feeling any urgency to get off his backside and do the job he is paid for yet.
Maybe he still has his opinion "You can expect this kind of thing in the South so it is nothing to be concerned about". I'm amazed that politicians in Thailand can make public statements like that without any public reaction.
I wonder if deputy PM Yutthasak realises that it may well be these unofficial talks with selected groups which is causing this carnage by the others.
And someone should ask Sukumpol how his fixed-wing aircraft helped preventing this attack.
It really is a shambles. It is clear the authorities do not have a clue what to do. They should put their arrogance and 'face' aside and get help from another country with people who are competent.
- Discussion 11 : 21/09/2012 at 07:39 PM
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But the attacks have continued.
Obviously chalerm has failed Thailand again , first casino`s , then drugs , now in the south ?
How many chances will she give him , it`s time for a big change in Thailand , like as if the insurgents are going to deal with chalerm or yingluck who`s bro`master they see as the man behind , tak bai and kru seh disgusting masacres ?
Red`iculous to say the least !
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