The army chief Anupong Paojinda has let it be known that he “should know within a week who is responsible for the disappearance of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) from a military installation in Lop Buri…”. Not a few RPGs, but 30, all missing from a “military arsenal in Lop Buri…”. Anupong assured reporters that “a full investigation will be made to find those responsible and to trackdown the stolen weapons.”
Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan “admitted the stolen RPGs could well be used by people intent on violence, but gave an assurance the army would keep a close watch on the situation.” Why doesn’t PPT feel comforted by this assurance? One reason is because Prawit said “security measures were actually ‘very tight’ and thefts did not occur that often.”
The term “that often” strikes PPT as little short of stupid. And, this isn’t the first time that weapons have gone missing this year. Recall the case of “arms, ammunition and explosives from an army arsenal in the southern province of Phattalung” being stolen by serving army officers.
A systemic problem of corruption but also potentially related to army involvement in violence against civilians, including red shirts. Army accusations against red shirts need to be reconsidered.
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