June 12, 2003

THEY WERE QUIET AND KEPT TO THEMSELVES ...

Community leaders in Thailand's Muslim-majority south have expressed astonishment at the arrests of three local men accused of a major bomb plot, describing the alleged terrorists as liked and respected.

Posted by Tim Blair at June 12, 2003 02:20 AM
Comments

The same could be said for those who were responsible for S.11.

Isn't it the point, if someone is about committing not only such crimes, but sedition -ditto Islamo-fascists pentetrating western countries with the goal to bring them under the dictatorship of mullahs,they blend in. No good being caught beforehand because they have been remarkably stupidly open about their aims ?

Posted by: d at June 12, 2003 at 10:26 AM

In Thailand not everything is ever how it appears to be. It has been suggested that these arrests have been conveniently staged because:

1. Taksin (the Thai PM) is currently visiting the USA and wants to look good for George Bush
2. The US Administration has criticised Thailand for the Government'opposition to the liberation of Iraq
3.Thailand lost face when it was discovered that JI had held meetings in Thailand to plan the Bali bombing and Thai Intelligence knew nothing about it
4. Australia and other countries are concerned about lax security in Thailand and have issued travel advisories which are hurting the Thai tourist industry.

Therefore, the Thai Government needs to be seen as cracking down on terrorism. These guys may even be innocent!

Posted by: Rob at June 12, 2003 at 12:39 PM

So long as it brings result Rob. A little more pressure on Thailand then?

Posted by: d at June 12, 2003 at 05:53 PM

My friends have instructions to stand outside my house after...you know, I inevitably go off. They'll be there to comment to the news crew about me. Stuff like "Oh yeah, the first time I met him, I thought that this guy is going to end up in a clock tower" or "We always knew he was trouble becuase on Sunday mornings he'd sit on the deck in his underwear drinking wiskey and clean his guns."

Posted by: Larry at June 12, 2003 at 11:47 PM

Perish the thought they might conceivably be guilty?

Posted by: Norman at June 13, 2003 at 03:15 PM

Run for cover, boys!!
I'd be astonished too, if I knew the newly rabid anti terror Yanks were going to come and get me.
The days of pissing off the West with impunity are over.

Posted by: Pete at June 14, 2003 at 12:56 AM