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Southeast Asia
Muslim Insurgency Threat Facing Thailand
2004-10-29
It's almost like they read Rantburg.
Two bombs exploded today near a tea shop and wounded 20 people in southern Thailand, police said, as violence continued unabated in the Muslim-majority region where residents are seething over the deaths of 78 detainees while in military custody.
No word on whether they're also making faces and rolling their eyes.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was scheduled to explain the situation in the south in a televised address today. His government has come under severe criticism for its handling of the growing violence, with some fearing a full-blown Islamic insurgency is in the making. The 78 Muslim detainees suffocated or were crushed to death Monday when security forces jammed them into military trucks after a protest in Narathiwat province turned violent. At least seven others died during the demonstration, apparently shot by security forces. The first explosion today took place as morning customers crowded tea shops. It was planted at the foot of tree in the provincial capital of Yala, 745 miles south of the Thai capital Bangkok. Police and hospital officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the wounded included two police sergeants. Shortly after, while a bomb squad was clearing the area, a second explosion injured about 10 people, most of them policemen, reporters at the scene said. No other details were immediately available.

The latest incidents in the violence-plagued south followed a bomb explosion in the neighbouring province of Narathiwat Thursday night, which killed a Malaysian tourist and a Thai women, said Police Col. Phol Vatcharanon. At least 20 people, including three Malaysian tourists, were injured in the blast at Sungai Kolok. Sungai Kolok is known for prostitution and smuggling, and is a popular destination for male tourists from across the border in Malaysia. No one has claimed responsibility for the three attacks and no arrests have been made.
Posted by:Steve White

#10  i am more inclined to think that the thai government is the bastard, however. looks like uncle sam has taught these leaders well: shoot muslims, kill them all. in their attempt to clear "terrorists", they have become the bigger "terrorists". these people are farmers, fishermen, they don't even have enough money to feed their family properly (due to age old sanctions from bangkok from back since the late 19th century), let alone buy explosives - terrorists? yeah right.
Posted by: Grumpy Uncle Sam   2004-10-29 3:21:28 AM  

#9  Over time, I am sure more and more governments 'round the world will be arranging timely, miserable deaths for these people. At least, I hope so. Happy trucking.

Posted by: Beau   2004-10-29 9:26:02 PM  

#8  I first met Thai Special Forces guys in MACV Recondo school in 1969. Wonderful people, good guys, ass-kicking troops. NEVER say anything less than wonderful about the King.
Posted by: Sgt.D.T.   2004-10-29 5:43:12 PM  

#7  My first encounter with Thai people were 2 guy going to the local JC with my older Brother. They were teh children of a goverment minister and a military office that had been jumped by several fellow the proceded to gut and leave dead on the street. Don't make the mistake of thinking teh Thai are gentle people when pushed. They will not take crap off of these "insurgents" and will treat them harshly. Attacking a police station will get you killed as evidenced by the death toll.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom   2004-10-29 8:44:59 AM  

#6  I've spent a lot of time in Thailand and its hard for the average Westerner to appreciate how much the average Thai despises moslems. I suspect those instigating the moslems think they are going to get a PC western response. They are in for a hell of a shock.
Posted by: phil_b   2004-10-29 8:23:14 AM  

#5  [Off-topic or abusive comments deleted]
Posted by: Grumpy Uncle Sam TROLL   2004-10-29 3:21:28 AM  

#4  That well could be the intended outcome. The Thai militarty and police are tired of this crap and are not going to use kid gloves. They will just wipe the bastards out. Most of the casualites so far have been cops and military. Regardless of what the politicians say the Military and cops are doing it their own way.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom   2004-10-29 2:55:58 AM  

#3  From the footage I saw of the incident it didn't look very professional. The arrested protesters had their hands tied behind their backs and were forced to crawl on their stomachs to the side of a river while Thai soldiers walked around them delivering random kicks and beatings.
Certainly it wasn't smart to do it in front of tv cameras, and combined with the high deathcount, I expect the South Thailand Jihad to really heat up in the coming months.
Posted by: Paul Moloney   2004-10-29 2:34:58 AM  

#2  I live in Bangkok. I've seen the films, and my business partner was in Narithiwat when the riot and aftermath took place.

The deaths occurred after detainess were loaded into open military trucks. They were loaded into the trucks in sardine fashion - lying face down, with hands tied behind their backs. They were stacked like sardines - five deep. They were then driven to an Army camp - a five hour journey. The men on the bottom row - lying on the floor of the trucks, with four layers of men lying on top of them - suffocated - which would be an obvious result.

I saw the films - broad daylight, high-quality film, no pressure on the camerman.

I have very little sympathy for Islamofacists - 'happy to see whabis sent off to raisenland.

But - this was horrendous behavior - making Abu Ghriab look like Disneyland. This was Pol Pot, or Saddam-at-his-worst style abuse.

The clear message received by the Muslim Thais - don't ever surrender -its a death warrant to be taken into captivity.

Here in Bangkok, we're bracing for trouble. The trouble in the south has not previously affected things here. That's about to end. Trouble coming.

Posted by: Lone Ranger   2004-10-29 2:30:11 AM  

#1  ...FWIW, I heard today from an aqcuaintance in Thailand. Their comment is that the dead may very well have been martyred by the ones who started the riot - the Thai police, MPs, and others behaved most professionally, but the rabble rousers were determined there were going to be martyrs even if the authorities wouldn't make any.

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski   2004-10-29 1:02:19 AM  

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