Is UAV effective in jungle areas? What can the UAVs see? Tree
tops?
Thailand to deploy recon drones
AFP
30 Jun05
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15776170%255E31477,00.html
PATTANI, Thailand: Thailand announced plans this week to fly spy
drones over its Muslim-majority south and raise its security budget
to cope with a deadly insurgency which claimed another six
lives.
As police announced the latest deaths and attacks on teachers'
homes, Interior Minister Chidchai Vanasathidya admitted security
forces in the region were not adequately equipped or trained to
handle the violence.
"Everyone is working very hard but they have limitations so I will
provide more training and more equipment, and in particular a
larger budget," he told reporters.
Government spokesman Chalermdej Jombunud said Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra had ordered the defence ministry to manufacture
10 unmanned drones with an operating radius of 3km for use over the
south.
"They are to be used in the southern mission and will be equipped
with the latest camera for spying on the movements of militants in
inacessible (jungle) areas," Chalermdej said.
As well as the separatists, authorities and analysts say smugglers,
organized criminals, corrupt politicians and security forces are
also to blame for the bloodshed.