Thailand - Government takes steps to protect at risk teachers from being shot

In stark contrast to the politically correct USA, the Thai government is taking steps to protect teachers in their Southern most provinces from being shot by terrorists and criminals:

From Bangkokpost.com

Southern Teachers under fire

The bravery and dedication of teachers in the strife-torn southern provinces serves as a great inspiration to society. Despite the near-daily insurgent attacks, teachers in Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani perform their duties undaunted.

About 20,000 teachers in the deep South go to school every morning without knowing whether they will be able to return home safely in the evening.

Bulletproof vests proposed for teachers

The Education Ministry will propose that bulletproof vests be given to teachers working in violence-plagued parts of the far South, Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanit said yesterday.

Mr Sermsak said the bulletproof vest idea could help save lives as teachers have come under frequent attack from suspected insurgents recently. Priority would be given to areas considered most dangerous for teachers to live or work in, he said.

Mr Sermsak added that each of the three southernmost provinces had been granted the authority to consider issuing gun licences to teachers so that they may legally carry them in public.

The strengthened security measures have improved morale among southern teachers, Mr Sermsak said.