Keep your talismans close, boys

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Army says troops need protection against Khmer black magic.

Published: 12/02/2011 at 04:37 AM
Online news: Local News

Si Sa Ket : The Thai army believes it needs the help of talismans to protect itself from Cambodian soldiers.

The chief of the 2nd Army Friday distributed talismans to his troops to help protect them from evil curses which he believes Cambodians are likely to call upon in their fight over disputed border areas.

As a result, soldiers guarding the border with Cambodia are now equipped with arms, life-saving kits - and talismans.

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About the author

: Writer: Wassana Nanuam; Position: Reporter

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sokhothai
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Discussion 51 : 20/02/2011 at 04:22 PM51
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Talismans won’t protect bad people. You flied over the sacred site of Khmer Temple and one day later your two F16 got punishment from Lord of the Summit Çreiseka Résvarak! Now you still don’t know what are you doing!
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durieu
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Discussion 50 : 13/02/2011 at 03:41 PM50
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Some people say that it is not worse than in the US army, as if the stupidities of the other armies had to validate the stupidities of the Thai army! We always persuaded the soldiers that the atrocities which they commit are made "with god on our side" as song Bod Dylan. SS had on the buckle of the belt the mention " Gott mit uns" during they committed the worst crime against humanity of the history!
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Merlin
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Discussion 49 : 13/02/2011 at 03:51 AM49
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re discussion 46: showing disrespect for believing that magic works and that both sides in this fight will use spells and counterspells! I think the children here are the ones doing it not us making the comments! The reason i have no respect for this is that it is a false belief that will cause people to die and be maimed, while young people who have belief in Father Christmas only do so for the gift giving and family spirit it brings - and that they grow out of it!!! Also this is meant to be a Buddhist country - show me where this is a Buddhist practice and not a money making scam down the line?
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drake
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Discussion 48 : 13/02/2011 at 12:49 AM48
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Holy amulets and talismans are as old as the hills here.
In some respect, that's what so quaint about this place.
I mean, the first night after I installed a motion activated flood light in the back yard the maids kept saying 'the light is haunted' and refuses to go out the back....
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mungo
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Discussion 47 : 13/02/2011 at 12:17 AM47
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#38 I don't think it is the case that people don't care what's happening in the South. It's just that the violence is relentless, day after day attrocities with no clear cut military or political solution apparently possible. I am always saddened to read about the violence in the South, but I can understand why people may not wish to discuss the violence on a day to day basis. Saddly, it isn't news anymore for anyone outside the troubled provinces, it's just an ever increasing list of casualties.
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toni
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Discussion 46 : 13/02/2011 at 12:07 AM46
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Merlin and others here, like I said, its personal beliefs. I understand you have no religion or of other religions, but only children disrespect others' religious beliefs. If you don't believe it, keep it to yourself.

soi 11/14, your comment itself makes it about belief. The Thai army has enough equipments and weaponry compared to the Cambodian army. The more people see images of the army sending in additional equipment, the more they complain.

I'm not a religious person myself, but I'm grown up enough and am not so ignorant as to disrespect others beliefs. I'm here protecting their right to belief. Of course this general isn't "ramming superstition down the throats", hes only distributing them - Those who believe in talismans consider its a little something good their general has provided them. Those who don't, whats the harm? "Stupid" "worthless" or what have you, you are only displaying your own childishness and ignorance.
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commee
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Discussion 45 : 12/02/2011 at 11:49 PM45
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If a soldier feels better about his safety by carrying something, then it really is nobody’s business but his. Nearly everybody has something that they believe will bring them good luck or serve to provide a source of strength when needed. There is good and evil in the world and people choose different means of dealing with it.

Soccer players may have a favorite pair of socks that they wear in the big game. Drivers may have a favorite item in their vehicle to protect them from a crash. Many people may have a favorite piece of jewelry to bring them good luck. People carry pictures of the family as a good luck item. So it certainly seems like a good idea to have something that will help a soldier to deal with the thought that he might be killed at any moment.
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Ian Wensor
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Discussion 44 : 12/02/2011 at 09:33 PM44
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Travis - discussion 43... I not being disrespectful but you're absolutely right. Monks know that superstition is the surest way to ensure that fools and their money are soon parted.
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travis
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Discussion 43 : 12/02/2011 at 09:11 PM43
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The sad thing is that these things cost a fortune, and in the end we'll see even more "monks" driving Rolls Royces ...
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Ian Wensor
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Discussion 42 : 12/02/2011 at 07:57 PM42
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There will always be those who'll endeavor to over rate their authority and capability by ramming superstition down the throats of the guilable and guess what - because there are those stupid enough to believe them - the Kingdom's in such a mess.
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