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News and Views - December 2009
From Komchadluek, December 23, 2009
The headline reads: People are delighted by the greatly favorable news - [HM King] recovered from illness -
[HM King] still stays at the Siriraj [Hospital] for physically recovering
(Source: Daily News, December 4, 2009)Above: Photo of the "cancelled" celebrations in the late edition of the Daily News, December 4, 2009
Cancelled ceremonies? - December 5, 2009
Foreign reports on Thailand usually crib their info from the Post and The Nation while adding quotes from a random man-on-the-street or an expert. Thus, if a Post or Nation report is wrong or gives a wrong impression, this impression will be in foreign reports as well.
A good example of this phenomenon is the story about the King's birthday celebrations. Initial reports from English-language Thai newspapers gave the impression that "celebrations" for the King's birthday this year where cancelled. The actual story is that only activities that the King officially participates in, such as the Trooping of the Colors and his annual birthday speech, would not take place.
The Nation did later clarify their report with a more accurately worded title (HM postpones functions related to birthday celebrations). However, the story of birthday celebrations being cancelled was widely reported internationally. A good example is this brief article in Time:
No Royal Birthday Bash This Year for Thai King - Time, December 4, 2009
An annual time of joy in Thailand has been transformed into a period of unease as most ceremonies marking the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej have been cancelled or postponed this year....
The real story is the opposite--authorities have ramped up and extended the celebrations. The network of street closures has also been increased this year. This is all to foster a sense of unity and it conveniently has stymied Red Shirt attempts to protest at this time as they previously planned.
Right and above: Front and reverse of an undated holiday card - The credit under the photo reads: Published by the Whiteley of Bangkok - - Kiam Hoa Heng & Co., and the British Dispensary
The 2Bangkok.com wishes you
Season's GreetingsThanks for your support in 2009!
Best regards,
Ron Morris
and the 2Bangkok team
Left and above: Front and reverse of an undated holiday card - The credit under the photo reads: Published by the Whiteley of Bangkok - - Kiam Hoa Heng & Co., and the British Dispensary
Above and below: Front and reverse of an undated holiday card - The credit under the photo reads: Published by the Whiteley of Bangkok - - Kiam Hoa Heng & Co., and the British Dispensary
Translation of the secret document: Revelation of the secret document of Foreign Ministry against Hun Sen and casting away ‘Maew’ - translated and summarized from Post Today, December 19, 2009
Puea Thai MP and red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan revealed to the press stating that Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya sent a confidential letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in attempt to counter Cambodian PM Hun Sen. The letter also includes guidelines to get rid of Thaksin Shinawatra.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister’s assistant Panit Vikitset called for the clarification of the real document by the Puea Thai for investigation of the person who reveals the official confidential document. According to the Foreign Ministry, the case is not confidential although the letter is genuine as it is the Foreign Minister’s duty to report to the PM.
The content of the document contains the following topics:
1. The analytical view on Cambodian acts
1) Thaksin Shinawatra is the main “danger” threatening the government's status by relying on the strategy to generate a bad situation which focuses on cooperation with Hun Sen and the movement of the anti-government groups inside Thailand, especially the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). The UDD aims at weakening government stability and toppling the ruling government.
However, the counter measures against the Cambodian government at this moment is limited to the non-violent diplomatic approach, since this is believed to contain any attempt to aggravate the Thai government to rely on more aggressive measures.
2) The ongoing situation is a conflict between the two governments. Thai government should not fall into the trick issues that the Cambodian wants to generate misunderstanding. The Cambodian government is the group who receives benefits from Thaksin regardless of how the final situation turns out.
2. Guidelines for practices
In order to avoid the situation from following the plan of Thaksin and Cambodian Prime Minister, the Foreign Ministry proposes the following measures:
1) Prevent and avoid the violent situation in cases that it is not necessary to use aggressive countermeasures. Act carefully and cleverly on strong counter measures. Do not follow the media trends.
2) Create accurate understanding among governmental units so they follow the right practices, especially providing information to each unit.
3) Create unity in the country and in the government to make clear to the Cambodian PM that Thaksin will never return to his powerful stance. And that the private relationship and benefits related to Thaksin and Cambodian PM are not sustainable and Cambodia possibly looses benefits in the long run regarding trade, investment and tourism, etc.
4) Separate the linkage between Thaksin and Cambodian PM and Thailand’s opposition party by ceasing the conditions that benefit the movement of the group opposing the government. The government should express opinions towards the issue unanimously and follow a prudent plan that generates the least impact to the people with consciousness in reacting to the Cambodian government. This will promote public favor for the government. The government should turn the “strong sentiment” of the public that supports the government into “understanding” by relying on PR activities and managing time properly for the benefit of the Thai government including moving forward on investigating the pending corruption cases of Thaksin.
3. The methods for ending [the situation]
It is a concern that the purpose of the Thai government is to bring relations back to a normal stage and not to change the Cambodian ruling system. However, the root of the problem is that Thaksin attempts to destroy the government. The solutions to the problem, hence, must focus on the root causes; (1) getting rid of the threatening danger (2) separating cooperation between Thaksin and the Cambodian PM.
The possible ways are
3.1 The best method
Maintaining the current situation to stop Thaksin and Cambodian PM from doing anything to worsen the situation, following the suggestion for the 1-2 problem [listed above] and wait for the time that a third party country that is powerful or provides benefits to Cambodia to help solve the problem.
3.2 The mediocre method
1. Each party relies on intensifying countermeasures for its advantage.
2. If Cambodia relies on the intensifying measures to interfere in Thailand’s internal affairs, the Thai government should follow the measures that (1) do not impact the benefits of Thailand and the people of the two countries (2) are commensurate and (3) do not generate breakup in the relations of the two countries in the long run.
At the same time, Thai government should not state countermeasures in advance as (1) Cambodia will prepare for the counter measure policy (2) It will add to a viewpoint that Thailand aims at persecuting Cambodia.
3.3 The worse [most extreme] method
In case Thaksin and the Cambodian PM join hands in any action that lead to wide loss of life and assets of the people, invading the sovereignty of the land and Thai core national institutes, including an act equal to the establishment of an exile government in Cambodia, which is clearly considered as the interference in Thailand’s internal affair, the Thai government has to break up the diplomatic relationship and sanction Cambodia and rely on the Army to defend national sovereignty.
19:52 - Thaksin, in a pure white room, leads a candle-lighting ceremony in front of an image of the King.
Left: Thaksin bows (as is customary) to the image of the King after the singing of an anthem in the King's honor. Red Shirts at the Royal Plaza hold candles to honor the King.
19:07 - Thaksin, speaking in an emphatic, high-pitched voice, addresses the crowd. He is swaying back and forth as he speaks as if with pent up energy. A few scenes from the rally - December 10, 2009
[Just to note that we posted this about today's rally since the English-language Thai media has all but ignored the last few Red Shirt rallies except for an article or two on the morning of the rally as if it had already occurred. There are certainly very few breaking news items about the Red rallies anymore in contrast to the breathless alerts of past years.]
Also: Meanwhile in Cambodia: Thousands in capital march for rights - VOA, December 12, 2009
17:42 - There must be some awesome photos to be had as photographers spent all afternoon standing behind the speakers getting the all-important "past the speaker into the crowd" shots.
17:40 - Royal Plaza filled with protesters
17:00 - A cappella singer sings a country music song about missing Thaksin and for the people to never forget what he did for them.
16:25 - Grainy police traffic cameras of Royal Plaza (above) and Phan Fa Bridge (below) at 16:25 showing the Red Shirt protesters occupying these areas.
(Photo: Kolok for 2Bangkok.com)Attack in the Deep South - December 9, 2009
Kolok reports: 1 died [later this rose to 3 dead] and 11 were injured in the militants’ gun and bombing attack at a restaurant in Sungaipadee district. At 6:45 am on December 9, 2009, the police team from the Sungaipadee police station in Narathiwat province, together with the Narathiwat 33 bomb disposal unit, rushed to inspect the local restaurant on Jarusathien Road in the municipality of Tambon Paluru, where a militant gun attack occurred. Then militants detonated a 5 kilogram bomb that was hidden in the motorcycle in the area. The explosion injured 12 bystanders and one later died from the injury. The investigation indicated that two militants on their motorcycle opened gunfire using an HK gun into the local restaurant before escaping. Then militant gang used a mobile device to detonate the bomb in the motorcycle which was parked in the area earlier leading to 12 injuries.
(Photo: Kolok for 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: Kolok for 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: Kolok for 2Bangkok.com)
One soldier and one militant dies in the Battle in Bacho - December 23, 2009
Kolok reports: At 12:50 on December 23, 2009, a team of 12 soldiers from the Marine Corps from Chulabhorn camp in Narathiwat’s Muang district, led by Vice Admiral Thongchai Yaemchuti, traveled to inspect the RKK militant’s hideout in Banbulga village in Tambon Kayormatee in Narathiwat after sources informed them that a militant gang planed to stage violent attacks during the new year's celebration.
When the two cars of the authorities reached the road of the Banbulga village, 100 meter away from the Tambon Kayormatee administrative organization, militants opened fire on the soldiers. A team from the Narathiwat 32 task force was dispatched to reinforce.
28-year-old soldier Pithak Meemuang suffered severe injury to the chest and died later after being rushed to Bacho Hospital. Bacho Police Chief Police Colonel Chamlong Ngamnet suffered injury from a wound on his right arm.
A militant, identified as 28-year-old Salavee Saloh, residing at the house number 104 in Moo 5 in Tambon Kayormatee in the district, died in the gunfight (above). The authorities seized evidence such as a .38 pistol, bullets, three mobile phones and battery charger, and cash.
"Takki" - from Nation Weekend, "Ed's gallery," December 4, 2009
This is one of the always interesting character painting on the first few pages of every Nation Weekend. This one spoofs Thaksin's alleged fake name and his travels throughout the world in the wake of the Dubai debt problems.
(Source: Nation Weekend, "Ed's gallery," December 4, 2009)2009 year-end Google zeitgeist: Thailand - Google, December, 2009
Use of nominee companies to buy property is "against the spirit of the law" - PropertyReport.com, December 3, 2009
Beer Leo's calendar - December 18, 2009
A "racy" Beer Leo calendar somehow co-branded with the government is front page news in Thai newspapers.
A Suan Dusit Poll released on December 17 showed 45% of people judge the calendar as "obscene," 38% found it not objectionable and 15% not sure. About the same percentages found it degraded women and nearly 60% felt it was inappropriate to distribute in Government House as it was promoting an alcohol company.
The government angle aside, the attitudes to this calendar show how things have changed in a short time. Up until the mid-1990s, fully nude calendars were routinely printed and distributed by alcohol companies. After the 1997 currency devaluation, most companies cut calendar production as a cost-cutting measure. In the meantime, attitudes changed. The calendars never quite came back and those that did were much tamer and harshly criticized for being against women and society.
Exercise in bare cynicism - Bangkok Post, December 18, 2009
[More on the "racy" calendar including new attitudes to both using sexy females for advertising and alcohol.]Scottish beach used to promote Thailand - NewsLite, December 16, 2009
Sae Daneg reveals Thaksin's modest "mansion" in Dubai - December 27, 2009
Lawsuit signals new dawn in Thailand - New York Times, December 18, 2009
...“In rural areas, there is almost no enforcement at all,” said Anthony Zola, a US environmental consultant. “Water pollution, air pollution, noise pollution — you can make all the complaints you want and no one pays any attention to you.”
...Thailand’s National Cancer Institute found in 2003 that rates of cervical, bladder, breast, liver, nasal, stomach, throat and blood cancers were highest in Rayong Province, where Map Ta Phut and other industrial zones are located. A study led by Italian researchers and released in 2007 found that people living near Map Ta Phut had 65 percent higher levels of genetic damage to blood cells than people in the same province who lived in rural areas. Such cell damage, which is a possible precursor to cancer, was 120 percent higher for refinery workers than for residents of Rayong Province’s rural communities...Malaysian credit card scammers crowd Thai jails - New Straits Times, December 6, 2009
...Malaysian ambassador to Thailand Datuk Husni Zai Yaacob said 246 Malaysians were in 10 prisons here, while 251 were in eight prisons in southern Thailand.
He said the credit card fraud was the work of syndicates and some of those arrested had up to 10 credit cards each...
Wise, irrepressible, and a bit of a troublemaker - The Age, December, 2009
Sulak Sivaraksa, who is in Melbourne for the Parliament of the World's Religions, says he is known by many labels in his home country of Thailand...Monarchies and political systems discussed in Bangkok - The Irrawaddy, December 8, 2009
...All four countries feature lese-majeste laws, which sit in the statute books alongside robust freedom of speech and expression regulations. In the case of European countries, these include the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe...Ban Tai, Kanchanaburi, Thailand, Sortie 684BN RAF 0556, Frame 4003 - The National Collection of Aerial Photography, December, 2009
Hamish explains: Photographs taken by British aerial reconnaissance teams during WWII are being made public for the first time. They include, as one would expect, lots of pictures of mainland Europe, but the link above shows an aerial shot of railway bridges over the Kwai Yai. This appears to be the only Thai picture at present but they promise more in due course...PM: Airport Link opening before April - Bangkok Post, December 4, 2009
12 places to go if the world goes to hell: Chiang Mai - businessinsider.com, December, 2009
...What's more, while Southeast Asia has been a hotspot for war, heroin, massacres, and political turmoil for decades, Chiang Mai has remained a stronghold of peace and stability...How to make a croc look cuddly: Paint it like a panda - WSJ, December 9, 2009
Pieter notes: For the "everything to do with Thailand" category...Thailand's top 'Tweeple' meet for an old-fashioned face-to-face - AsiaOne, December 20, 2009
Politicians and analysts such as Korbsak Sabhavasu, Apirak Kosayodhin and Suranand Vejjajiva got together with others such as Phra Maha Wudhijaya Vajiramedhi at Wawee coffee shop in Soi Aree off Phaholyothin Road...Thai universities nix cross-dressing at graduations - New Kerala, December 13, 2009
Bangkok billionaires to bid for Manchester United - Merchant News, December 13, 2009
A group of far eastern billionaires based in Bangkok have spent the last three months putting together a deal which they hope will be good enough to buy English premier league football team Manchester United...
Chinese investors 'targeting Manchester United' - footballfanscensus.com, December 14, 2009
Chinese consortium believed to be lining up offer for Manchester United with Glazers standing firm - Times Online, December 14, 2009
Report: Manchester United on the verge of £1bn buyout - goal.com, December 13, 2009
...Based in Bangkok, two of the six members are reportedly fans of the club, who have visited Old Trafford twice this year to watch Sir Alex Ferguson and his men in action.
A financial source in the Thai capital allegedly said: "All the finances are in place and they are ready to approach the Glazers...
"PB Air will go out of business on Monday" - December 18, 2009
We are hearing: It's official: PB Air will go out of business on Monday.
Earlier: PB Air: "All flights suspended" - November 18, 2009India is 'thailand' to Asia, say scientists - Asia Times, December 18, 2009
Since "thai" means "mother" in classical Tamil, the language of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu and said to be the oldest living language in the world, "thailand" means motherland. However, India could be an ancient "motherland" of Thailand and Asia in a more literal sense, according to a new investigative study, "'Mapping Human Genetic Diversity in Asia"...Invasion of the palms - Bangkok Post, December 20, 2009
Associated with the tropics, sugar palms have become an undesirable landscape cliche in Phuket...S'pore-based family kidnapped in Bangkok - AsiaOne, December 17, 2009
...Police also rescued the businessman's mother and two of his children from a home in Bangkok's Suan Luang district and then rescued the business-man from another house in Muang district in Samut Prakan...Thai government urged to investigate 'long neck' tourist village - The Irrawaddy, December 17, 2009
Thailand still scarred five years after tsunami - Reuters, December 16, 2009
Suvadee Sukkasem is still searching for her son who vanished when the Indian Ocean tsunami turned this tropical paradise into a mass grave for thousands of Thais and foreign vacationers nearly five years ago...
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Stop the horror with soap and water! - December, 2009
Poster in Singapore promoting the washing of hands. The English version reads: Stop the horror with soap and water! Part of a government campaign.
Some photos from Thaksin's visit to Cambodia today - KI Media, December 13, 2009
Burma threatens Thailand's stability: Bangkok Governor - The Irrawaddy, December 9, 2009
...Thailand's Burma policy appears contradictory and lacks a coherent overall strategy, according to observers, who suggest Burma's ruling military are siphoning off the revenues from Burma's natural resource exports for both personal use and to finance the same massive military budget that is now causing concern in Bangkok...
No foreign phones - December 4, 2009
From a promotional campaign on the subway: Every time you buy or choose the product you will be sure when seeing the mark to certify it meets the standard of telecommunication products of the CAT. [CAT Telecom Public Co.,Ltd]
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Live feed of the baby panda in the Chiang Mai Zoo - zoothailand.org, November 18, 2009
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Front yard full of toys - December 12, 2009
Mafia Wars: Bangkok pre-launch - Facebook, December 10, 2009
Nils reports: A small update: this appeared today. Players can now collect 3 Asian-themed loot items that will give access to the new job tiers later. But for now, travel to Bangkok is still locked...
"Silence Power" pdf - December 1, 2009
These are some scans of the extensive pdf denouncing the pro-Thaksin movement on the silence-power.com site.
The headline reads: Red Thaksin - RUIN [for] all the land [A play on the Red Shirt slogan of "Red in the land"]
The caption reads: for Thaksin’s comfort, the people have to dedicate their lives, blood and assets. Who is the one who lures the poor and suffering people to stand to fight for Thaksin’s comfort... for the fugitive richest man in the world?
The captions read: (Top) This is the suffering of Thaksin who has to stay abroad.
(Bottom) This is the happiness of fighting for Thaksin.
"Choose the path..." - December 9, 2009
This vintage Thai Red Cross postcard reads: Choose the path - life with death [living in death -showing a festering, insect-ridden swamp] - life with happiness [living in happiness]
Red Cross postcard - December 19, 2009
The postcard reads: Good companion to the public is the Red Cross
[In the past, the Red Cross provided anti-snake serum for the public and raised snakes for medical research and study. One interesting linguistic note: The word "friend" in Thai is normally "mitr" or "puen," but here it is "sa-hai" which has the meaning of "friend" which was most commonly used in Thailand during the height of communist influence in the 1970s. After the 1976 crackdown, many college students and intellectuals class fled the dictatorial government to fight in the jungles following the philosophy of the communist party. We are not sure the era of this card, but it is interesting they use this word--perhaps to appeal to those with communist sympathies.]
More Red Cross postcards - December 31, 2009
The postcard reads: Helminth [parasitic worms] always enter into the body through skin such as in feet and normally lives in a dirty and wet area
[Part of a Red Cross campaign for health and hygiene]
The postcard reads: The World and the Red Cross
[meaning the Red Cross is important to supporting the world]
The postcard reads: Raising ducks and chickens, getting eggs to eat - Donating to the Red Cross, getting merit
[This is a comparison stating that if one raises ducks and chickens, they will finally have eggs to eat which is the benefit of raising the animal. Likewise, one who donates to the Red Cross will receive merit in return. This is based on the colloquial Buddhist belief that there is a reaction/result to deeds.]
(Source: Unknown - Vintage photograph)Old vehicles - December 18, 2009
(Source: Unknown - Vintage photograph)The words read: Khaodin-Bangkok [Khaodin is the name for the Dusit Zoo]
(Source: Unknown - Vintage photograph)The words read: The path to the Sarapadrob mountain in Petchaburi subdistrict
We're sick of the Ministry of Culture - Bangkok Post Blogs, December 09, 2009
...Our Ministry of (non)Culture is incredibly creative in cooking up unnecessary scandals due solely to their Jurassic outlook, authoritarian leanings and the staunch refusal to live in the real world. The straw that breaks a camel's back... is the latest incident that took place this week: Two web posters, one of them my source, were threatened with a lawsuit by one of the Culture Ministry's well-known watchdogs (she's human, by the way) after they posted critical messages on the popular Pantip web forum disparaging the antediluvian policies of our inglorious ministry. The messages, for instance, discussed the regressive tendency of the ministry as well as its dogged refusal to encourage cultural diversity by sticking to the narrow-minded definition of what Thai culture is. My source cited a name in his comments: Ladda Tangsupachai, the watchdog chief who has a low opinion on modern art, love songs, non-Thai fashion, and so on...
The FaceBook group: We're sick of Ministry of Culture in ThailandPolice snipers guard Buddhist art in Thailand - AP, December 11, 2009
US gay couple picked to help promote Thailand and for a chance to win $10K - The Examiner, December 10, 2009
Watch the 1967 Bob Hope special, save America's public domain videos - Boing Boing, December, 2009
Some good Thailand jokes in there...Vanishing Thai temple drowns warming doubts - The Age, December 16, 2009
[It is amazing how many newspapers and other news outlets have rushed to cover this story... again, and again and again.]Thai anti-communist propaganda pictures from the 1960s - cnreviews.com, December, 2009
Great series of posters pointed out on Orient ExpatThailand native claims major legal victory benefiting widows nationwide - KSDK St. Louis, December 22, 2009
...Until recently, a federal law existed that said immigrants must be married to a U.S citizen for at least two years to be considered a permanent resident of the U.S. Immigrants married less than 2 years could be deported, including a Thailand native...Business as usual for Thai fishermen in Cambodia (2) - Khmer Intelligence, December, 2009
In spite of the increasing tension between Cambodia and Thailand, Thai trawlers continue to fish in Cambodia’s territorial waters as usual after corrupt Cambodian local authorities in Koh Kong province resumed issuing licenses to fishing boats from the neighboring country earlier this month. The resilience of the fishing, smuggling and gambling (casinos along the border) businesses show that Cambodia’s feudalistic patronage-based political system cannot afford to sever multi-faceted trade relations with Thailand.Louisiana rice may rival Thai jasmine grain in US - Business Week, December 23, 2009
[Thanks to Marc for pointing this out.]Thailand is not prepared for another tsunami, expert warns - Sydney Morning Herald, December 26, 2009
..."Right now, I don't think Thailand is capable of issuing a tsunami warning, of properly telling people what is going to happen, because we have a lack of information. We lack equipment to detect a tsunami especially, because the Government has not given enough support to the department concerned," he told the Herald...New form of malaria threatens Thai-Cambodia border - AP, December 29, 2009
...Already, The Associated Press found, resistance to malaria has spread faster and wider than previously documented. Dr. White said virtually every case of malaria he sees in western Cambodia is now resistant to drugs...Human-shaped fruit - Sin Chew Jit Poh, December 23, 2009
Wang Chengchun from Segamat went to Thailand earlier and by chance, he bought three human-shaped fruits with his friends at RM300. It was said that the human-shaped fruits were actually a kind of natural fruit roots in Cambodia. They might be a kind of wild vine...Govt. plays Thaksin card to get Tiger assets - Daily Mirror, December 30, 2009
...During the time when Thaksin was asking for political asylum from the Government of Sri Lanka and the proposal was under consideration of the Sri Lankan Government, an article was published in the newspapers to that effect. It is impossible to say whether the Sri Lankan Government took advantage of Thaksin’s request in the arrest of KP and wipe out Tamil Tiger activities in Thailand, on the Thailand Government, on the basis of the assurance secured from the Sri Lankan Government that political asylum will not be granted for Thaksin, united with the Sri Lankan Government to arrest KP and to stamp out terrorist activities in Thailand...South China Morning Post closes Bangkok office - December 30, 2009
We are receiving confirmation that the South China Morning Post has closed its Bangkok office (in the Bangkok Post) and laid off all workers.
Update: 'Blood money' call as SCMP axes 35 staff - The Standard, December 30, 2009Global tinderbox - 2010 could be a year that sparks unrest - The Economist, December 28, 2009"
Thailand is rated as "high" for risk of social unrest.MONDAY Q&A: Student from Thailand adjusts to American customs, weather - The Indiana Gazette, December 29, 2009
...If you say "Thailand" people will always be confused about Thailand and Taiwan. They will think like it's the same country and I'll say "No, no, it's a different country." Sometimes they might not know where it is, but since we have a big tourism industry there, lots of people know about the beaches. But they don't really know about what else is there...
(Photo: Kolok for 2Bangkok.com)The militants detonate 15 kg. bomb made from fire extinguisher in Ruesoh injuring 8 - December 27, 2009
Kolok reports: At 2 pm on December 27, 2009, Police Lieutenant Arthit Thiensiri, police officer from Ruesoh police station in Narathiwat, was informed about the bomb attack on the Tharue-Kotabaru road in the Ban Tueloh village in Moo 7 in Tambon Rieng in Ruesoh district. The bombing attack caused 8 patrolling soldiers from the Narathiwat military task force 30-division 1111 to suffer minor injury.
The police lieutenant together with Colonel Piyawat Chalermsri, the Ruesoh police station chief and Lieutenant Colonel Jantee Chaemjan, head of Narathiwat forensic police, the bomb disposal unit and police-military force rushed to the scene.
The explosion dented the road surface causing a hole 1 meter deep and 1.50 meter wide. An electric wire led 100 meters away into a rubber plantation wood nearby was left in the area. The authorities collected evidence which was the bomb remains made from a 15 kg fire extinguisher tank and detonated by battery. The 8 injured were found close to the car parked nearby the road. All of them suffered chest and ear pain symptoms.
Investigation indicates that an unknown militant gang detonated the bomb when the team of 8 patrol soldiers led by Captain Pakin Kuakul in a pick-up reached the spot. The militant gang detonated the 15 kg bomb hidden in the road when the soldiers’ car passed the spot.
(Photo: Kolok for 2Bangkok.com)Above: Thai Prime Minster Abhisit and Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak sign a commemorative plaque during their meeting on December 9 in Narathiwat Province.
Prime Ministers - December 9, 2009
Below: Thai children greet the Malaysian PM with Malaysian flags.
(Photo: Kolok for 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: Kolok for 2Bangkok.com)Crime scene - December 8, 2009
Kolok reports: 2 army soldiers and 1 militant dies in the gunfight in Ruesoh district. 1 soldier suffered injury and 2 army guns were stolen.
At 4 pm on December 8, 2009, an ambush took place in Ruesoh district in Narathiwat while a team of 6 soldiers, led by Corporal Narong Rabchan, head of the 30-2 peace corps of the 46th Field Army Division, was on patrol on the road of Ban Dee Yae village in Tambon Savor to tighten security for school teachers. 10 RKK militants opened fire on the army team and a 10-minute gunfight ensued.
Two volunteer guard defense soldiers were killed. They are 28-year-old Jirayuth Singket and 29-year-old Wanlarm Radenmontree. 29-year-old Boonthim Kampeera was injured and rushed to Ruesoh Hospital. All suffered injury to the torso, legs and arms. The militants aimed at stealing guns, but the soldiers fought back. One militant died in the shooting, identified as 24 year old Abdulmarei Mueyaebasor, residing at house number 29 in Moo2 in Tambon Savor in Narathiwat’s Ruesoh district. Two army HK guns were stolen.
(Photo: Kolok for 2Bangkok.com)More than 1,000 gather to denounce the militants following the motorcycle bombing attack killing 3 and injuring 9 in Narathiwat - December 10, 2009
Kolok reports: At 2:00 pm on December 10, 2009, a group of more than 1,000 local residents and students in the Sungaipadee district in Narathiwat gathered and participated in an Islamic religious ceremony in front of the Sungaipadee Administrative Office. The group denounced the militant gunfire and bombing attack at the local restaurant in the Sugnaipadee district on December 9, 2009 that killed 3 and injured 9 local residents [see the item above]. The protest group used picket signs to denounce militant attacks that led to the death of innocents. The chief of Narathiwat 33 military task force Lieutenant Yuthana Saiprasert and teams of police and soldiers participated in the event.
(Photo: Kolok for 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com)Above: A banner at the roadblock left by militants. It reads: This is my land, I will answer with blood. And life.
Example of a roadblock and bomb ambush - December 9, 2009
Here are photos of a road block event that occurred in the Krongpinang district in Yala province on December 9, 2009 when militants staged series of attacks in the three southern border provinces.
(Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com)Above: Spikes left on the road to puncture vehicle tires.
(Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com)Above: Officer assembling the evidence from the roadblock--the banner, wire and cement block that made up the road block.
(Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com)Above: Nearby a small bomb was hidden to kill officials who responded to the roadblock.
(Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com)Farewell to old year and celebrating New Year 2010 - December 31, 2009
Dr. Has reports: Today [December 31] military unit 1 of division 7011 together with religious and community leaders of Moo 8 and Moo 9 in the Krongpinang district and military unit 4708 hosted a new year's party for local villagers.
Krongpinang district chief Somkiat Srisanet presided over the opening ceremony. The party contained many activities such as the Islamic “Arzan” competition, the “Anashed” singing contest, the Al-quran recitation contest, including gift exchange, games, a football match between the Ban Luemu village team and the Ban U-pey village team. This was the first time for such a party and many villagers participated in hosting the party and joined the activities.
(Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: Dr. Has for 2Bangkok.com)
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