Elite troops no South remedy

EDITORIAL

Published: 17 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr deserves credit for taking a new look at the old problem of violence in the deep South. But the army veteran's proposed solution of yet more military force requires much debate and refinement.

The new head of the National Security Council (NSC) has proposed replacing the current hodge-podge of troop deployments in the troubled region with a full infantry division trained in counter-insurgency. But use of even more military force against Thai citizens is a serious and probably irreversible step and must not be taken hastily.

The plan to raise a new 15th Infantry Division is not new. But two items are noteworthy in the statement by Lt Gen Paradorn. The first is to move quickly to recruit, train, arm, equip and deploy the 10,000-plus men of such a fighting unit. It seems optimistic to expect only positive results. Counter-guerrilla warfare is highly specialised, and requires massive support in addition to the actual troops. Military intelligence seems far more lacking in the deep South than military force.

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peterl
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Discussion 2 : 17 Oct 2012 at 12.332
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Reducing the military profile in the deep south, as appears to be advocated here, is not the answer since it would probably be seen as a sign of the Thai authorities' weakness by the muslim insurgents there. A tougher response is necessary, maybe by the deployment of a more effective infantry division, as proposed by the new head of the NSC, but as part of a two tracked strategy also encompassing proactive efforts to respond positively to the problems faced by the general population in that troubled region.
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spiceman
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Discussion 1 : 17 Oct 2012 at 05.311
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Regardless of the number of troops being deployed to the Deep South, we need to invest in intel gathering assets, both drones, and humans (no airship, please). Counterterrorism is all about intelligent-led warfare, fighting against enemies who are evilly smart, illusive, and adaptable. So, large troops deployment in this kind of unconventional warfare doesn't always guarantee a victory. However, fighting smart and hard will always guarantee decisive victory.
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Elite troops no South remedy | Bangkok Post: opinion