Marines set Death Zone | Bangkok Post: news

News > Security

Death zone awaited unsuspecting raiders

A group of 50 militants approached a marine base in Narathiwat's Bacho district early Wednesday to launch a surprise attack, unaware that they were entering a death zone.

Narathiwat Task Force 32 knew in advance of the planned attack on their base. Fifty marines led by Cdr Thammanoon Wanna, the task force commander, were poised for action.

"My men and I waited for days.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Most Viewed

  • 26,000 reds recall bloodshed

    Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra said the government's amnesty efforts must focus on absolving red shirts facing legal action in connection with the 2010 political violence rather than protest leaders or even himself.

Forum

image

Your comments

  • pointman-1

    South KoreaPost : 243

    Send message

    Discussion 33 : 14 Feb 2013 at 17.0133

    Disc 24, dharma: Thanks for the response. I was basing my remarks on prior combat experience. In past wars, we didn't have modern technolog such as drones and spy from the sky. Furthermore, the VC didn't use IED's. Today, we not only have better technology, but we also have better war-planning. We're finally finding ways to defeat the roadside bomb problems too. Eventually, the terroists will be defeated. Trying to reach and agreement with terrorists is all but impossible. As you might have guessed, I'm not about relying on past history. In fact, during my school days, I was awful at history.

  • jacksprat

    ThailandPost : 2,450

    Send message

    Discussion 32 : 14 Feb 2013 at 15.3932

    "Pattani was an independent kingdom until 1902." Why don't people read history! Rama I's brother conquered the Sultanate of Patani in 1785. It has been under Thai rule ever since. Look it up.

  • udon_red

    ThailandPost : 23

    Send message

    Discussion 31 : 14 Feb 2013 at 15.1431

    Ian # 23 and Egon # 27
    It would appear the numbers could have been higher but a lot depends on the best tactics allowed to be used.
    Alsohow did the militants attack. I doubt in one big line or a group of 50. It was night time so no doubt many would have been hidden.

    Recently watched a documentary on discovery. A British unit recently returned from Afghanistan used over 1,000,000 rounds claiming only 1,000 targets. It's not as easy at it looks in the movies.

    Well done to the young lads of the Thai army. It must have been a very nerve wracking waiting for the militants attack

  • siamitude

    ThailandPost : 796

    Send message

    Discussion 30 : 14 Feb 2013 at 12.2330

    Violence only breeds violence... those practicing it are the weak ones.

  • MarkGM1957

    GermanyPost : 13

    Send message

    Discussion 29 : 14 Feb 2013 at 12.0029

    face the facts, these terrorists (aka insurgents) are put in place by by AlQuaeda and the whole unrest is stirred up by them. Sad that such terorism is supported by grass roots Muslims as it seems to me that mainly these normal muslim people live pretty much in harmony with their buddhist cousins. Why dont such grass roots Muslims declare that the violence is unacceptable and force the terrorists to cease? Looks like they adopted the terrorist cause in the name of Islam and even aid and abbet individual terrorist acts. Sad sad sad..
    Dharma, 110 years is long enough to get used to the fact that you are Thai, or move over the border..

  • Rab.Madar

    United KingdomPost : 234

    Send message

    Discussion 28 : 14 Feb 2013 at 11.1328

    I wonder if there was an informer ? Even although there was or not, I'll bet it's having big dividing effect on the insurgents. They'll be looking at each other not knowing who it was.

  • egon

    ThailandPost : 399

    Send message

    Discussion 27 : 14 Feb 2013 at 11.1227

    Ian disc 23:exactly my thoughts too.

  • jck

    ThailandPost : 428

    Send message

    Discussion 26 : 14 Feb 2013 at 09.3326

    I’m glad to see some posters use the term “terrorist” instead of “insurgent”. Insurgent does not come close to describing the heinous actions of these cowards who kill innocent civilians in their perceived quest for justice. If these cowardly terrorists feel they have a cause then let them stop the killing first then start talking. Until this happens take every possible action to eliminate the terrorists by whatever mens practical. Nobody should consider negotiating with terrorists.

  • Eric

    Post : 1,167

    Send message

    Discussion 25 : 14 Feb 2013 at 08.5925

    This attack is significant is so may ways besides the marines winning a morale boasting upper hand with so many kills. The taking out of Marohso is the most significant as he is the mastermind behind many incidents and attacks. Take him out will not only deprived of a highly skill man who has been reported to be trained by al-Queda, it will also demoralize the insurgents.

  • dharma

    ThailandPost : 25

    Send message

    Discussion 24 : 14 Feb 2013 at 08.5024

    Re: D17 Pointman-1 - I don't know who you are quoting (yourself?) But if you are speaking from your Vietnamese war experience, then that speaks volumes about how 'modern military tactics and modern military technology' does not 'defeat the insurgency'. And remember US forces eventually went home - that's what the Pattani insurgents are seeking... The extremists deserved to be confronted, but the middle ground of opinion in Pattani demands, expects, political autonomy. As long as Thailand uses violence to subdue the enemy, instead of dialogue, then the vicious cycle will continue.

First Previous 1  2  3  4  5  Next Last

Reply

Sign in once and access every part of the website at your convenience!

Please log in to our Bangkokpost.com community to post your comment.
You can sign in to the community by clicking here.

If you are not part of the community yet, please sign up here. By being part of this community you will get all these privileges.