Militia redux : Or Sor and the revival of paramilitarism in Thailand/
Desmond Ball and David Scott Mathieson
- Bangkok : White Lotus Press, 2007
- xxxi 450 p. [48] leaves of plates
- Studies in contemporary Thailand . 17 .
The Volunteer Defence Corps (Or Sor) is a regular standing paramilitary force under Thailand's Ministry of Interior with the Interior Minister as commander-in-chief. Or Sor has been particularly involved in protecting Thailand's border areas with Burma and in aspects of security in some of the southern provinces where unrest has recently been growing. The book provides a detailed study of the VDC and of its role in Thailand's security establishment. As well as considering roles and functions the book addresses the problem of involvement of some Or Sor personnel in crime and human rights abuses. Argues that the resurgence of paramilitarism in Thailand is likely to prove counterproductive in the long run.