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Thailand Holds Its Ground in Iraq
The Thai military may send additional combat troops to Karbala to help ensure the safety of the Thai contingent there. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said details had not been settled. The team was likely to comprise 30 combat specialists, to boost the 50 already at Lima camp. Mr Thaksin said if the government did decide to send the combat troops, they would be there to provide protection for the Thai soldiers, nothing else.Thai soldiers at Lima camp on Sunday observed a moment of silence as they mourned the deaths of two colleagues killed in a truck-bomb attack the day before. The bodies of Chief Warrant Officer Mit Klaharn and CWO Amporn Chulert will arrive at Don Muang airport about 8.10am today on board a Thai Airways International aircraft. Top military leaders including army commander Chaisit Shinawatra will take part in a ceremony today to honour them. CWO Mit and CWO Amporn have been promoted posthumously to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Gen Chaisit said the two officers, on duty at the gate at the time of the attack, died to save hundreds of other troops at Lima. ``They opened fire at the vehicles, forcing the attackers to detonate the bombs before they entered the camp,ââ he said. A source at Lima camp said the attackers planned to use two car bombs. The first was to destroy the camp wall, making way for a second bomb attack. ``But the wall is strong because we have reinforced it with concrete and sandbags,ââ said the source. Lt-Gen Pisal Wattanawongkhiri, assistant chief of staff officers attached to the army commander, said the Thai troops were not the target. Sentry box No 5 which was hit by the bomb was 200-300 metres away from the Thai soldiersâ barracks. The bomb went off close to the US quarters. Lt-Gen Pisal said five mortar shells hit the same area on Nov 19. ``The Thai soldiers happened to be on duty that day. CWO Mit was killed instantly while CWO Amporn died at the Polish hospital,ââ he said. Col Boonchu and his Polish counterpart were revamping security at the camp. ``He wants the Polish troops to send out more patrols. The areas outside the camp are under the supervision of the Polish soldiers,ââ Lt-Gen Pisal said. ``Further attacks are possible. So more security and precautions are needed,ââ he said. Lt-Gen Pisal said the mortar attack was not carried out by Iraqi people and neither was the truck-bomb attack. ``We now know who the attackers are, but weâd rather not identify them,ââ he said. Lt-Col Issara Supanamai, chief of the civil affairs of Task Force 976, recalled the Saturday incident, saying he first thought an artillery round had gone off. Gen Chaisit said Thai troops would remain in Karbala and two replacements would be sent soon. The camp has 50 combat specialists now. Col Boonchu Kirdchok, chief of the Thai contingent, was recently made camp commander and would need help. As an American resident of Bangkok, I offer my sincerest respects to the two fallen Thai soldiers - who apparently went down fighting - and I applaud Thailand for standing its ground against thugs. Posted by: Lone Ranger 2003-12-29 |
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