Terrorism not defined by casualty numbers

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Terrorism not defined by casualty numbers

Published: 17/02/2012 at 02:21 AM
Newspaper section: News

Re: ''Bombers 'part of terror group','' (BP, Feb 16). Serious questions need to be asked about the suitability of Wichean Potephosree as secretary-general of the National Security Council. The man is obviously in a state of total denial of the realities on the ground.

Three Iranians come to Thailand, rent a house on Sukhumvit, gather the necessary materials and start making bombs. One of the bombs goes off accidentally, another seriously maims one of the suspects as he tries to flee the police, and three innocent people are hurt.

Yet Pol Gen Wichean stands up publicly and says: ''The devices weren't meant for use against establishments or [groups] of people. It is not an act of terrorism.''

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jerradoug
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Discussion 5 : 18/02/2012 at 02:58 AM5
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re: disc2: Maybe they could take a crash course from the former and future Australian PM Mr Kevin Rudd who was willing and prompted to make a formal apology to the Australian Aboriginal people for crimes committed against them.

You are very right - hearing a politician saying 'I am sorry' is a wonderful thing when it is spoken with conviction.

I'm sure that Mr Rudd (Kevin 747)would be more than willing to travel to Thailand to instruct.
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howell
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Discussion 4 : 17/02/2012 at 07:48 PM4
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@Victor. Thai schoolboys do not use C4 : terrorists do.

@Don Dumm. 100 % agree : 'I think that rewriting these laws to make their intent clear would be a significant step towards resolving this thorny issue.'
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domdunnn
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Discussion 3 : 17/02/2012 at 05:08 PM3
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International bodies such as the UN have all failed to agree a definition of terrorism, the problem is that one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.

I think what the police were trying to say was that these bombers were targeting specific people and not the general public. But not much comfort if you are in the area when the target is hit and you catch the fallout.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 2 : 17/02/2012 at 09:27 AM2
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The words, "I apologize" and "I'm sorry" are wonderful words to hear. We all make mistakes. But has anyone ever heard a Thai politician say these words in spite of all their mistakes? Perhaps the Bangkok Post could sponsor a statue for the first Thai politician who admits a mistake and says, "I'm sorry".
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Victor
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Discussion 1 : 17/02/2012 at 07:40 AM1
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In my book if two guys decided to fight each other, even in my home, I don't call them terrorists, unless they start using WMA that will affect a lot of innocent bystanders.
Thai school boys have been fighting each other for ages and we don't call them terrorists, even though they really are.
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Terrorism not defined by casualty numbers | Bangkok Post: opinion