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Southeast Asia
Thailand to sack army commander over southern violence
2004-03-06
Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra plans to remove the army commander in charge of the Muslim-dominated south for failing to end weeks of violence that have left up to 50 people dead, a report said on Saturday. The Bangkok Post quoted security sources as saying the Fourth Army commander Lieutenant-General Pongsak Ekbannasingh, who has administered martial law in the three worst-hit provinces, would be reassigned.
"We have an opening for him in Fairbanks."
"Hey! That's not even in the country!"
“The prime minister is unhappy seeing him unable to deal with daily killings there,” the source told the English-language daily. ”He is likely to be shifted elsewhere in the mid-year reshuffle.”
"We're gonna put him in charge of taking care of Thailand's moose problem."
The violence broke out on January 4 with a deadly and well-coordinated raid on an army weapons depot, and continued with almost daily attacks on security forces, government officials and Buddhist monks who have been brutally slashed. But former fourth Army commander Senator Harn Leenanond told the Post that it would be “a mistake” to remove Pongsak who is a native of the south and has served in the region for three decades. “Chaos in the southernmost region partly resulted from security mismanagement and the premier could not deny his responsibility,” he said.
I'd say he's responsible for appointing a competent commander in the area, wouldn't you?
Posted by:Fred

#2  The Thai jungle troops I saw working in Vietnam had no competency problem. The only group more feared were the Koreans. Unfortunately, most of them are tied down up in the northern half of the country, trying to keep the Burmese narko trafficers within limits. Maybe a new brigade or two would be a good thing... Take awhile to recruit, train and equip, but worth it in the long run.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2004-3-6 3:06:44 PM  

#1  It is my opinion, and I'm sure others know much more, that Thailand has a core competence problem. Their military has been, as far as I can tell, mainly ceremonial - much like the Saudis. They seemed to spend their time running around making sure the Thai Royals were attended to. I think the regular city cops are only slightly more competent - they managed road intersections for Royal personages in transit.

Their Immigration & Customs people are, probably, far more professional - tough, intelligent, and canny - because they have had to be.

Toxin, er, 'scuse me, Thaksin might want to start a massive reorg / training of his military & police - and fill in with the tough mofo's from Immigration & Customs! They know how to kick ass!

Just my humble opinion.
Posted by: .com   2004-3-6 2:17:43 AM  

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