View Full Version : BKK Bombings:New Year's Eve '06
Four bombs go off in Bangkok
Four explosives went off almost simultaneously in Bangkok, injuring at least 20 people as the city people have just started to celebrate the New Year's eve.
One person was dead at the Big C supermarket, Sapan Kwai branch, where witness saw a man dropped a grenade from a pedestrian bridge, police said.
At least 20 were injured at the Victory Monument when a powerful bomb went off near a bus station.
At the Klong Toei area near the Na Ranong intersection, a bomb hidden in a trash can near a Chinese spirit shrine exploded and injured two bypassers. The explosion caused a secondary explosion to a number of cooking gas cylinders that were situated nearby.
At the Seacon Square Shopping Mall, a loud explosion went off at the parking space, creating a panic but no injury.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022983
BOMB ATTACKS REPORTED IN BANGKOK
Bangkok Post
7.11 pm
A number of bombs or grenades have exploded in Bangkok early on New Year's Eve, wounding dozens of people in at least two places.
Explosions occurred in the Klong Toey area not far from Lumpini Park, and near the Victory Monument.
The coordinated attacks are unprecedented in Bangkok.
However, political feelings have run high for more than a year, and there have been reports of political violence aimed against the military junta which ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Sept 19 - primarily the suspected burning of schools.
Except for the insurgency in the four southernmost provinces, there has been no deadly political violence in Thailand for more than 14 years, when a popular protest overthrew the last military government. In that case, the violence was by the government and armed forces.
Martial law was lifted in Bangkok and surrounding provinces a month ago, but the military is authorised to act when necessary.
The junta leader and army commander, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, is currently out of Thailand, on the Haj in Saudi Arabia, and will not return to Thailand until Thursday.
Officials said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont was preparing to speak to the press and the nation.
Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115636)
Seven Bombs Rock Bangkok, kill two
Seven explosives went off almost simultaneously in Bangkok, injuring at least 20 people as the city people have just started to celebrate the New Year's eve.
One person was dead near the Big C supermarket, Sapan Kwai branch, where witness saw a man dropped a grenade from a pedestrian bridge just over the police box.
At the Klong Toei area near the Na Ranong intersection, a bomb hidden in a trash can near a Chinese spirit shrine exploded and injured two bypassers. The explosion caused a secondary explosion to a number of cookinggas cylinders that were situated nearby.
At the Seacon Square Shopping Mall, a loud explosion went off at the parking space, creating a panic but no injury.
Authorities ordered all shoppers to evacuate the mall, one of Bangkok largest, and all shops to close down for business.
Government's spokesman Yongyuth Malyalarp urged the public to remain calm, adding that police officers have been instructed to stay on high alert, including areas where high concentration of people are expected to take part in the New Year's count down.
"Police reinforcement have been sent to various areas in the city. We urged the public to remain calm, continue with the celebration but at the same time keep a look out for any irregularities," Yongyuth said.
Another police box was hit near the Khae Rai intersection in Nonthaburi province just north of Bangkok with a bomb but not injury reported said Police spokesman Pol General Ajiravid Subarnbhesaj said.
Another bomb went off in the compound of the Tesco Lotus Supermarket at the Prachachuen branch.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/31/headlines/headlines_30022985.php
Seven Bombs Rock Bangkok, Kill two
Seven explosives went off almost simultaneously in Bangkok, injuring at least 20 people as the revellers were about to start celebrating the New Year's eve.
Two people were killed and 20 injured at the Victory Monument when a powerful bomb went off near a bus station at about 6.30 pm.
One person was dead near the Big C supermarket, Sapan Kwai branch, where witness saw a man dropped a grenade from a pedestrian bridge just over the police box.
At the Klong Toei area near the Na Ranong intersection, around the same time, a bomb hidden in a trash can near a Chinese spirit shrine exploded and injured two bypassers. The explosion caused a secondary explosion to a number of cookinggas cylinders that were situated nearby.
At the Seacon Square Shopping Mall, a loud explosion went off at the parking space, creating a panic but no injury.
Authorities ordered all shoppers to evacuate the mall, one of Bangkok largest, and all shops to close down for business.
Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Wallop Suwandee, announced that all the events designated for the New Year's even countdown celebration have been cancelled.
Government's spokesman Yongyuth Malyalarp urged the public to remain calm, adding that police officers have been instructed to stay on high alert, including areas where high concentration of people are expected to take part in the New Year's count down.
"Police reinforcement have been sent to various areas in the city. We urged the public to remain calm, continue with the celebration but at the same time keep a look out for any irregularities," Yongyuth said.
Another police box was hit near the Khae Rai intersection in Nonthaburi province just north of Bangkok with a bomb but not injury reported said Police spokesman Pol General Ajiravid Subarnbhesaj said.
Another bomb went off in the compound of the Tesco Lotus Supermarket at the Prachachuen branch.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/31/headlines/headlines_30022985.php
airlana
31-12-06, 07:51 PM
The news on these terrible events is only just being reported here in Australia
Best I refrain from commenting now. More than likely to say something I'll later regret.
GWR - many thanks for the updates. I'm sure many of us overseas appreciate them. With breaking news, Bangkok Post and Nation are often overloaded "cant display page" etc
Hope everyone at 2BKK is safe and sound
airlana
We have a photographer taking pictures at three locations right now. I imagine these will be posted on the frontpage some time later this evening: -
http://www.2bangkok.com
I'm hearing reports that bombs have been discovered in another city. It is difficult focussing on this problem when firecrackers are going off all around me. :mad:
HRH the King is making a New Year Speech on TV right now! It may have been pre-recorded.
PM asks people to avoid crowded parties
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has asked people to refrain from joining crowded new year party following at least seven bomb attacks in Bangkok.
Thai New Agency quoted Surayud as asking people wishing to join new year party on Sunday night to avoid crowded areas.
The premier has ordered all security officers; police and soldiers, to reinforce in many areas in Bangkok. He ordered crime scene inspectors to collect all evidences from the attack scenes in order to know which groups mastermind the attacks.
Seven explosives went off almost simultaneously in Bangkok, killing three and injuring at least 20 people, as the revellers were about to start celebrating the New Year's eve.
Two people were killed and 20 injured at the Victory Monument when a powerful bomb went off near a bus station at about 6.30 pm. The bomb ripped through the bus stops, shattered windows at the nearby restaurant and sending debris in all directions.
At least one person was killed near the Klong Toei area near the Na Ranong intersection, around the same time, a bomb hidden in a trash can near a Chinese spirit shrine exploded and injured three pedestrians. The explosion caused a secondary explosion to a number of cookinggas cylinders that were situated nearby.
One person was seriously injured near the Big C supermarket at the Sapan Kwai branch where witnesses saw a man dropped a grenade from a pedestrian bridge onto the police box. Residue of C4 and TNT were found at the scene, an iTV reporter said, quoting an unnamed military source.
At the Seacon Square Shopping Mall, a loud explosion went off at the parking space, creating a panic but no injury. Authorities ordered all shoppers, about 10,000 at the time, to evacuate the mall, one of Bangkok largest, and all shops to close down for business.
A police box at the entrance of Sukhumvit Road, Soi 62 was also hit with a bomb. No injury was reported.
Another police box was hit near the Khae Rai intersection in Nonthaburi province just north of Bangkok with a bomb but not injury reported said Police spokesman Pol General Ajiravid Subarnbhesaj said.
A bomb went off in the compound of the Tesco Lotus Supermarket at the Prachachuen branch.
Soldiers were dispatched to some of the sites where the bombs went off, while other major shopping complex, including the Central Chidlom and Siam Paragon department stores, closed its door earlier.
Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Wallop Suwandee, announced that all the events designated for the New Year's even countdown celebration have been cancelled.
Government's spokesman Yongyuth Malyalarp urged the public to remain calm, adding that police officers have been instructed to stay on high alert, including areas where high concentration of people are expected to take part in the New Year's count down.
"Police reinforcement have been sent to various areas in the city. We urged the public to remain calm, continue with the celebration but at the same time keep a look out for any irregularities," Yongyuth said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/31/headlines/headlines_30022985.php
Major department stores in Bangkok closed now
Major department stores in Bangkok, including Siam Paragon, Emporium, Central and The Mall have already closed following seven bomb attacks.
Usually, they stay open until midnight but by 8 pm, they were all closed.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022989
Old power clique suspected of being behind Bangkok bomb attacks: source
A security source at the Government House said the old power clique was behind the simultaneous bomb attacks in Bangkok.
The source from an intelligence agency said the intelligence agencies had learnt about the plan of the old clique to create disturbance toward the yearend.
The source said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont was on the standby in Bangkok because he expected the attacks.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022988
TRT denies masterminding bombs
The Thai Rak Thai Party was not behind the series of bombs that rocked Bangkok last night, said the party deputy speaker Chatuphon Promphan.
Chatuporn warned the Council for National Security (CNS) not to prematurely point fingers at the party, whose administration was ousted by the coup makers on September 19.
"We urge the CNS to speedily find out the facts before any misunderstanding is widely spread," Chatuporn said a few hours after the first blasts.
"The bombs can be looked at from different angles and a political cause is just one of them. It could also be seen as a challenge to the CNS and could stem from the spread of the conflict in the three southernmost provinces."
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022991
Revellers at Central World ordered to disperse
Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayothin went up on the stage at the Central World Plaza at about 8:50 pm and asked the revellers to disperse.
They dispersed after paying respect to His Majesty the King.
People were seen on Channel 6 to disperse calmly.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022992
Sonthi orders deployment of soldiers to step up security in Bangkok
Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin ordered the first army area commander to deploy soldiers to help police step security in Bangkok following a series of bomb attacks in the capital.
Army Assistant Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda said the soldiers would be deployed to various spots and bomb experts of the army had been ordered to be on stand by.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022993
crowbait
31-12-06, 09:25 PM
Terrible news!! My sympathies to all involved.........................one does have to be thankful that the injuries and loss of life so far, haven't been even worse!
Thanks GWR for the prompt and dispassionate reportage.................a brilliant series of posts.
Yes, terrible!
There is some doubt about the death toll. Two definite. Perhaps three. The injuries may have reached 30, although Channel 7 just listed 16 names.
Thanks for your contributions etc.
I'm no fan of the New Year celebrations. When bombs are going off and policemen are thoroughly occupied, it would be sensible for people to stop letting off firecrackers. This is an area that has known several bomb attacks in recent years. That said, a high percentage are too pissed to comply. In the middle of these posts, there was an argument outside my house because some folk had finally had enough of the stupidity. But you complain at further peril to yourself.
I should also tell you that admin is having a fairly difficult time getting the photos frontpage because of continuing internet problems in the region: -
http://www.2bangkok.com
There have also been sketchy reports of bombs having been found in Hat-Yai. But please note that these rumors have happened before, and nothing was found. We believe that it is due to people hearing partial media reports and immediately assuming that the bombs are in Hat-Yai. Suffice it to say that the chances of such attacks here remain quite strong, and the authorities have made this known during the last few weeks.
14 victims at Rajvithi Hospital
Songkran Kanchana, killed
Samruay Srida, seriously injured
Pornrat Puntaeng
Pornsiri Karaket
Saharat Chuaduangphui
Niporn Thongsri
Somwang Witthayacharoen
Yosphat Muangpao
Natthicha Yamkrathok
Suparp Piriom
Ooranuj Neraphu
Wilasinee Thian-on
The rest of the victims at this hospital have yet to be identified
Seven victims at Chulalongkorn Hospital
Suwitchai Nakiam, killed
Khamphan Arjyotha, 34, seriously injured
Bai Wongsa, 21
Thasinee Mungkornphan, 12
Kamchad Dessaeng, 31
Arissara Tordok, 27
Khamdee Maneesaeng, 40
The rest of victims at this hospital have yet to be identified.
crowbait
31-12-06, 10:21 PM
What a tragedy....................so many young people injured.
airlana
31-12-06, 10:29 PM
I should also tell you that admin is having a fairly difficult time getting the photos frontpage because of continuing internet problems in the region
Apart from internet problems I'd imagine the traffic in Bangkok is nothing short of horrendous.
A big thank you to all at 2BKK for a superb job in getting the news and photos so quickly. Its truly appreciated by those like me so far away. I'm sure all involved would rather be with their families this evening than covering these tragic events.
airlana
CNS may seize Thaksin's assets following bomb attacks: source
A security source said the Council for National Security may order the seizure of assets of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to cut money supply for financing disturbance in the country.
The source said the CNS believed Thaksin was behind the series of seven bomb attacks in Bangkok Sunday evening.
The source said the CNS noted many bombs were launched at police booths but none of police officers were injured.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023003
But no comment here: -
Surayud visits bomb victims at Rajvithi
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont visited bomb victims at the Rajavithi Hospital at 9:50 pm.
Surayud who appeared under tension said he did not know yet who the masterminds of the bomb attacks were.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023005
Interior Ministry to hold urgent meeting of provincial governors
The Interior Ministry will hold an urgent meeting with provincial governors nationwide through a video conference at 11 pm.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023006
The Bangkok Transit System (BTS) 'Skytrain' has announced that it would run its services until midnight only, instead of 'till dawn as originally planned.
Surayud hold meeting at ISOC
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont went to the Internal Security Operations Command at 10:43 pm to meet military officers.
Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya and First Army Area Commander Lt Gen Prayuth Janocha rushed to the ISOC to meet Surayud.
Government Spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp also attended the meeting.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023007
On dutch TV 20,00 h, 2nd item.
In Chiang Mai, the people were also asked to disperse after the organisers decided to abruptly cancel the countdown party. They said they could not risk anyone's safety. However, other provinces can decide whether their New Year parties to continue or not.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/31/headlines/headlines_30022990.php
I have heard of no plan to cancel the NY countdown in Hat-Yai, but it appears that many people have either decided not to attand or have come home early.
Attacks wreck NY's parties across nation
There was panic in many areas of Bangkok and in several other parts of the country last night in the wake of the coordinated six-bomb attack across the capital city.
New Year countdowns and other celebratory parties were cancelled, including two much-awaited events at CentralWorld and Sanam Luang, where people gathered briefly and dispersed after learning of the attacks.
All major stores located near CentralWorld at Rajdamri Intersection were closed following security concerns.
Security was also beefed up at a number of New Year countdown parties held in Phuket and Hat Yai district in Songkhla province. An event in Chiang Mai was called off.
Military and police officers based in Pattaya called an urgent meeting to heighten security measures at key countdown sites where a large number of Thai and foreign tourists were expected. Naval military police were dispatched around Pattaya streets to ensure extra protection - a rare and unusual sight in this seaside tourist city.
In the capital, armed soldiers in full combat gear were dispatched to provide security. Uniformed police officers at all Bangkok police precincts were mobilised and stationed at key locations.
In the inner city, all Bangkok branches of Central Department Store were closed down while all stores in Siam Centre, Siam Square and Siam Paragon did the same.
A large crowd at Big C Rajdamri went into a panic upon learning that a suitcase was found abandoned. A bomb disposal team later found that there was nothing inside.
At Seacon Square, thousands of shoppers left the compound after a bomb was found in a trash bin before it could explode.
Conflicting reports said earlier that a loud bang heard in the area was a electrical transformer exploding.
In Nonthaburi, where a bomb was set off near a police box at Khae Rai Intersection, major department stores located not far way closed early.
Military officers of Army units based in the Northeast were been instructed to stay on alert in all 19 provinces in the region, which is a key political stronghold of the Thai Rak Thai Party, formed by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani were to be monitored especially closely.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/01/headlines/headlines_30023018.php
Urgent: Two more bombs explode at Central World, Pratunam
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023025
Urgent: Three more bombs explode at Central World, Pratunam
More details to follow
Urgent: Three more bombs explode at Central World, Pratunam, Khao Sarn Road
Three more bombs exploded in the heart of Bangkok once the new year started, severely injuring many foreign tourists.
The two bombs exploded nearly at the same time seconds after the New Year started and another bomb exploded about half an hour after midnight.
The first bomb exploded at a public telephone booth at the pedestrian flyover linking Central World and Kesorn Plaza. Several foreigners were injured and rushed to hospitals.
The second bomb exploded at the Best Sea Foods restaurant on the Saen Saeb Canal near the Pratunam Pier.
Two foreigners and a Thai were injured. One of the foreigner had one leg amputated by the blast.
The third bomb exploded at the Buddy Bar on Khao Sarn Road.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023025
Urgent: Three more bombs explode at Central World, Pratunam, Khao Sarn Road
Three more bombs exploded in the heart of Bangkok once the new year started, severely injuring many foreign tourists.
The two bombs exploded nearly at the same time seconds after the new year started and another bomb exploded about half an hour after midnight.
The first bomb exploded at a public telephone booth at the pedestrian flyover linking Central World and Kesorn Plaza. Several foreigners were injured and rushed to hospitals.
The second bomb exploded at the Best Sea Foods restaurant on the Saen Saeb Canal near the Pratunam Pier.
Two foreigners and a Thai were injured. One of the foreigner had one leg amputated by the blast.
The third bomb exploded at the Buddy Bar on Khao Sarn Road.
The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023025
Apparently the Scandasia website has had the following post, but I haven't been able to view it yet: -
Police and military intelligence sources said that they had learned during the past month that a plan to bring bombs to explode in Bangkok was in the making when they had checked a home in Banang Satar district in Yala in the south of Thailand. They beleived it was part of a plan to place bombs in Bangkok during New Year. A map of Bangkok had been found with many places marked, including Victory Monument, Klong Toey Rama IV, Ramkhamhaeng University, Siam Paragon, Zea Rangsit, Seacon Square and Don Muang Airport being marked.
Note one report very early in the evening that PM Surayud had been on standby because he believed some kind of violent event would happen over the New Year.
http://www.scandasia.com/viewNews.php?news_id=2972
Umm! There are indications that some one might just have pulled that post.
Two more bombs explode at Central World, Pratunam
Two more bombs exploded in the heart of Bangkok once the new year started, severely injuring many foreign tourists and some Thais.
The two bombs exploded nearly at the same time seconds after the new year started.
The first bomb exploded at the Best Sea Foods restaurant on the Saen Saeb Canal near the Pratunam Pier just seconds after the New Year countdown ended.
Three foreigners and two Thais were injured. One of the foreigners had one leg amputated by the blast. The foreign tourists were having dinner at the restaurant.
Police said the bomb was hidden in a tire at the pier.
The second bomb exploded at a public telephone booth at the pedestrian flyover linking Central World and Kesorn Plaza. Several foreigners were injured and rushed to hospitals.
A suspected bomb was located at the Buddy Bar on Khao Sarn Road about half an hour after midnight and tourists were evacuated from the area.
By 1 am, police also disposed another bomb at the Lumpini Night Bazaar before it explodes.
The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023025
AMRivlin
01-01-07, 03:11 AM
Tis Ashame. I certainly hope the interim Govt. can recover from these outrageous and despicable acts. This only hurts Thai people (and of course those injured).
I wish everyone safety and caution in this New Year.
I will be celebrating later this evening in downtown Los Angeles.
BMA cancels New Year alms giving
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration cancelled the New Year alms giving at Sanam Luang, which was scheduled at 6 am on Monday.
The cancellation came after two more explosion near Central World Plaza and Pratunam pier.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023027
I have to say that I'm not, as yet, convinced of the following BBC explanation. I would say the southern insurgent/terrorist/separatist groups have shown a surprising degree of organization in recent months. But one thing that these groups haven't yet developed is a mechanism for ensuring that the media are aware of the 'responsibility' for attacks; and I'm not aware that anyone has tried to claim these attacks so far.
Could this have been a convenient way to deflect inter-communal conflict on an evening when many people were under the influence? I doubt that too. The police have shown little sign of being that diplomatic in the past. And such conflict is not usually a significant problem in areas (outside the deep south) where the two religious communities interface.
One thing I wouldn't rule out completely is the possibility that these attacks are some sort of collaboration. The southern issue has always been complicated by the covert meddling of 'Bangkok' political elements. That said, the 'angry young men' who currently hold sway in the deep south have shown little interest in carrying out other people's work. Indeed, their intransigence is almost a reaction to the duplicity of their predecessors: -
Police do not believe foreign groups or militants from the Muslim south are to blame, says the BBC's Jonathan Head.
Our Bangkok correspondent says many Thais suspect the attacks were the work of opponents of the current military government, which forced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from office in September.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6221177.stm
This map only shows the 'early' blasts: -
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42401000/gif/_42401971_thailand_bangkok.gif
[BBC]
Thai Rath reported that 4 of the bombs - at Victory Monument, Saphan Kwai, Klong Toei, and Seacon Square - were detonated by watch and not mobile phone.
Channel 11 TV reported that nails were used in the bombs.
On the other hand, do I think there are elements in the 'former clique' treacherous enough to carry out such acts. The answer is a resounding 'yes'. Indeed, one of the reasons why I have never been able to buy into the myth of its reformist intentions is precisely because it never made any real effort to avoid using the traditional political mercenaries. Sure, there were/are plenty of well-intentioned individuals, but also a significant number of the same old cynical 'guns for hire'.
Meeting fails to establish culprits of Bangkok bomb attacks: spokesman
Government Spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp said the meeting of security and intelligence agencies at the Internal Security Operations Command head office late Sunday night failed to establish culprits behind the bomb attacks.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Surahyud Chulanont and ws participated by the chief of the National Intelligence Agency.
Yongyuth said the agencies needed more evidence to analyse the information.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023028
jpatokal
01-01-07, 09:37 AM
The large number and fairly good (but not perfect) coordination of the bomb timings indicates that this was carried out by a large, fairly well organized group -- but, with all due respect to the victims, the one thing that strikes me here is how few casualties there were. All the bombs appear to have been placed outside, which means their detonation will be largely absorbed by the air and dissipate very quickly, instead of being inside buildings (like the Bali blasts), where the explosive power is magnified by the structure and can also cause the building itself to collapse, causing yet more casualties. Either this was intentional, or more likely the bombers were just incompetent. No sign of any suicide bombers either.
crowbait
01-01-07, 10:07 AM
I fear this is going to hit tourism in Thailand hard for a while.................it won't stop us though, we shall arrive, mid Jan, come hell or high water...........We were in Manchester and in Birmingham during the IRAs "bit of fun" and don't have any real fear of random bombing (obviously, you stand a far greater chance of being involved in a car accident than being blasted by a bomb).
Two years ago we went to Phuket just after the Tsunami, it was really weird..........there were virtually no tourists..............anywhere. Thai people we spoke to were really suffering because on top of the disaster of the tsunami they were facing financial ruin because there were no tourists to sell to.
So if anyone out there is thinking of canceling their trip to Thailand because of this outrage, (unless your governments foreign office issues advice which would affect your travel insurance) I would say don't cancel - GO! You will be about as safe as you would be in London or New York etc. and you will be helping lots of ordinary Thai people stay in business.
Sorry for the rant...............just my two-pennyworth!
http://www.2bangkok.com
January 1, 2006, 0:41 - Exclusive information: One Hungarian was injured in the Victory Monument blast. Three Serbs, two English, two Thais, and one Irish were injured in the Central World Plaza/Pratuman blasts and are in the nearby Police Hospital. Three more unexploded bombs were found in the Central World Plaza area that did not go off.
Comment: All indications are that these events will be laid at the feet of the previous government. It was surprising to see leaks to the press so soon after the bombings citing the 'old clique' as being behind the attacks - of course, this type of accusation would also be expected to manage public perceptions that the troubles in the deep south have come to Bangkok.
In the last two weeks the coup government has been under sustained attack from accusations that PM Surayud kept rail cars at his estate and that his estate was on public land sold to him illegally. Both of these accusations have been leveled at politicians before and resonate with the public and are extremely damaging. http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2112
On top of this Sonthi was accused of having two wives and has been called on to step down. The government has been coming forward in a rather amateurish way to counter these claims - holding press conferences in an even-handed way instead of going on the attack and regaining the high ground. http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2114
We would expect that these bombings, coming on top of the recent attacks on Sonthi and Surayud, will be the last straw - the government has to strike back now or risk being seen as weak.
Can we expect an extension of 'Emergency Powers'?
Royal Thai Army C-in-C General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is reported to have cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia for a return to Bangkok this afternoon. Sonthi will chair a meeting of the CNS at RTA HQ later in in the afternoon.
ITV reports a grenade was lobbed into a mosque in Chiang Mai this morning, injuring four people.
Chiang-Mai Muslim spokesmen have commented several times in recent months that they feel threatened by local elements who mistakenly link them to the southern crisis. They have also pointed out their different origins.
Again, we would be wise to see indirect causes at work here until such time as the perpetrators of all these vile acts have the courage to state their real intentions. If indeed they have any!
Former PM's secretary-general Prommin Lertsuridej said he was told by the Council for National Security to report himself to the CNS Monday morning.
But, Prommin said, he informed Army Assistant Commander-in-Chief Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr that he wanted to postpone the meeting with the CNS.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023031
He is doubtless being called in to ascertain whether Thaksin has issued any denials.
Small Axe
01-01-07, 12:02 PM
Of course, it's all speculation at this point, but let's not forget the bombings that occurred over several months around the time of the PAD rallies. There was, among others, one on Wireless, one near the Ministry of Interior, and one near Prem's residence that wounded a foreign tourist. This series of bombs were more noise-makers than shrapnel-laden killers, but there were a few casualties. While it was never unambiguous, it appeared to me that those attacks aimed to intimidate Thaksin's opponents. As far as I know, no one was ever arrested or charged in those bombings; it was as if they were just part of the environment rather than serious crimes to solved. Might whoever was responsible for those bombings have decided to kick it up a notch?
Bangkok bomb death toll rises to three
The death toll of bomb explosions in Bangkok on New Year Eve rose to three when another victim died during a surgery Monday morning.
Ekkachai Ruangpoom, 26, died at the King Mongkut Hospital during an operation.
EKkachai was injured by an explosion at the Victory Monument.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023033
Thaksin denies involvement in Bangkok bomb attacks
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra Monday denied his involvement in the bomb attacks in Bangkok on New Year Eve, his legal adviser said.
Noppadol Pattama said Thaksin, who was in Bejing, expressed his sorrow over the attacks.
"He insisted that he did not even think about creating disturbance or violence so that he could return to power," Noppadol said.
"Thaksin said he is worried and feels that is unfair to link him and the old power clique for the bomb attacks."
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023040
Surayud blames old power clique behind Bangkok bomb attacks
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Monday that the old power clique was behind the bomb attacks in Bangkok on New Year Eve.
He said the southern violence had nothing to do with the Bangkok bomb attacks.
He said he was not referring only to the previous government but to all those who had lost political interest.
"So far, we cannot identify which groups were behind the attacks but we already have targets of our investigation," Surayud said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023039
Porntip says Bangkok bombs different from southern explosives
Khunying Porntip Rojanasunant, acting director of the Forensic Science Institute, said explosives used in Bangkok bombs were different from those used by Islamic insurgents in the deep South.
She said she would present details of findings by her institute before making the details public.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023037
One bomb victim at Rajvithi Hospital remains in critical situation
A doctor said a bomb victim, who was admitted to the Rajvithi Hospital, remained in critical situation Monday.
Doctor Thawee Ratanachu-ek said Samruay Sidao, 37, remained in the intensivecare unit.
He said doctors performed a surgery to re-attach his main vein in the right arm. The vein was cut by a bomb shrapnel.
Thawee said the right arm might not function fully after it heals.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023036
Mongkol visits bomb victims at Rajvithi Hospital
Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla Monday visited bomb victims who are being treated at the Rajvithi Hospital.
He visited the injured victims at noon.
He said the four injured patients might be discharged in seven days, except Narongchai Rungcharoen whose left knew suffered a severe cut on the left knee.
Mongkol said he also ordered state hospitals nationwide to be on full alert in case of untoward incidents.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023045
Government Spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp Monday urged the public to remain calm following Bangkok bomb attacks but sought public cooperation to alert officials over irregular things.
He said the public could alert officials at the following phone numbers:
1) PM's Office Call Centre at 1111
2) Army's Disaster Mitigation Centre at 0-2297-7648-9
3) Royal Thai Police at 191
4) Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Public Complaints Receiving Centre at 1555
ITV reports a grenade was lobbed into a mosque in Chiang Mai this morning, injuring four people.
Chiang-Mai Muslim spokesmen have commented several times in recent months that they feel threatened by local elements who mistakenly link them to the southern crisis. They have also pointed out their different origins.
Again, we would be wise to see indirect causes at work here until such time as the perpetrators of all these vile acts have the courage to state their real intentions. If indeed they have any!
This report SEEMS to indicate that the police believe the injured mosque keeper might have been involved: -
Bomb explodes inside Chiang Mai mosque
A small homemade bomb exploded inside the central mosque in Chiang Mai Monday morning, injuring the mosque keeper, police said.
The explosion at the Chang Klan Mosque happened at 8:30 pm and Nasis Ahamad, 34, was injured.
Nasis claimed that the bomb was hurled into the mosque but an bomb expert, Pol Lt Col Noppakhun Kiratikarakul, said the evidences showed that the bomb failed from Nasis himself and exploded.
Nasis had been treated and is now safe.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023030
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has indicated domestic politics rather than the Muslim insurgency was behind the multiple bomb attacks before and after the New Year's countdown.
A man injured from bomb attack was pronounced dead on Monday, becoming the third victim to have been killed in the attacks.
Surayud's broadcast comment - that people whose vested interests were affected by the September 19 coup might have been behind the attacks _ heightened speculation surrounding remnants of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's deep-rooted influence.
Surayud did not directly identify Thaksin or his allies as possible culprits. He only said those who lost power as a result of the military takeover may have been responsible.
The remark left little doubt as to who he was referring to, though. And speculation was fuelled by reports that the coup leaders were trying to summon one of Thaksin's closest aides, Prommin Lertsuridej. Prommin was known to be trying to postpone the meeting.
Sondhi Limthongkul, the key man behind the street protests against Thaksin prior to the September coup, has pointed his finger directly at the former prime minister. He was quoted in the Manager newspaper website that the bomb attacks were the latest in a series of systematic campaign to discredit the interim government and coupmakers.
The media tycoon noted that the Bangkok attacks followed a series of political assaults on the credibility and integrity of Surayud and coup leader Sonthi Bunyaratglin.
The Thai Rak Thai camp as well as Thaksin's personal lawyer have strongly denied involvement in the violence that cut short Bangkokians' New Year celebrations and dampened those elsewhere.
The eight bombs that exploded across Bangkok on New Year's Eve and early Monday also wounded 38 people, including nine foreigners.
"Based on the government's information and intelligence agencies, it was the work of people who lost power, but I cannot clearly say which group was behind it," Surayud told reporters.
He was speaking after meeting chiefs of security organisations.
"The perpetrators wanted to generate a negative political impact and make Thai people feel political instability," he said.
The blasts that rocked the capital that was gearing up to celebrate the new year forced the cancellation of New Year's celebrations in Bangkok and other major cities.
Surayud said he did not think the blasts were linked to the insurgency in the south, despite similarities between the Bangkok bombing methods and the near-daily attacks in the southernmost provinces.
"It is very unlikely that it was linked to the southern violence, because it is much easier for the insurgents to mount an attack in the three southern provinces" than to target Bangkok," he said.
"We are very sadden by what happened, because we had taken precautionary measures yet we failed to prevent this act of stabbing in the back. It could have also been an act copied from somewhere else," Surayud said.
He thanked the private sector for reacting promptly and cooperating well with the authorities, saying that helped prevent greater casualties.
Big shopping malls swiftly evacuated New Year's Eve shoppers and key New Year countdown events were cancelled.
"It could have been much worse if certain decisions hadn't been made in time," Surayud said.
Former Democrat leader Chuan Leekpai backed Sondhi's theory, saying Thaksin's network of supporters, both underground and in the government sector was more than capable of carrying out the attacks.
"There are still many people who remain loyal to Thaksin. Some are politicians and others permanent state officials. And some of these people still have power because the interim government and the Council for National Security haven't tried to change their status," Chuan said. The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/01/headlines/headlines_30023035.php
.....
There were reports the interim government might move quick to seize assets of Thaksin and his family in order to cut financial supplies to any underground element bent on creating political violence and trouble. Some anti-coup activists suspected asset seizure to be a possible motive for the military to "stage" the New Year attacks.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/01/headlines/headlines_30023035.php
I'm quite disturbed by this news but personally I do not see any correllation whatsoever between those behind the New Years eve bombings and the so called 'old power clique'. Anyway people do things for many illogical reasons.
As we dont know for sure who was behind the attack I dont think the government should come out and make a speculative statement like that.
jpatokal
01-01-07, 07:29 PM
As we dont know for sure who was behind the attack I dont think the government should come out and make a speculative statement like that.
The Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Bangkok_bombings) says one man was arrested with an unexploded bomb -- this should be a giant lead for getting on the bombers' trail?
A total of 18 Bangkok bomb victims remained in seven hospitals at 3 pm on Monday: -
Rajavithi Hospital: 5
Chulalongkorn Hospital: 5
Saint Louise Hospital: 1
Bamrungraj Hosptial: 2
Police Hospital: 2
Ramathibodi Hospital: 2
King Mongkut Hospital: 1
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn made a personal visited bomb victims at Chulalongkorn and Rajavithi Hospital this afternoon.Princess Sirindhorn gave bouquets from HM the King and the Queen to the doctors of both hospitals.
The Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Bangkok_bombings) says one man was arrested with an unexploded bomb -- this should be a giant lead for getting on the bombers' trail?
One wonders whether he would be eligible for the following if he should decide to tell what he knows: -
Chuwit offers Bt1-million reward for bomb tip-off
Erratic deputy leader of Chat Thai Party, Chuwit Kamolvisit, offered Monday a Bt1-million reward for any who helped find masterminds behind the series of bomb attacks on the New Year's eve.
Massage tycoon-turned-politician Chuwit said he offered the reward of Bt1 million for any who gave clues that led to arrest of the masterminds of the bomb attacks. However he set the condition that money would be paid only after the court ruled that he/she involved in the attack.
"I would pay immediately if the suspects are sentenced in the court for involving in the bomb attacks. The attacks have badly tarnished the country's reputations. Thailand was discredited by the incidents," Chuwit said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/01/headlines/headlines_30023059.php
Sonthi rules out second coup
Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin Monday ruled out the second coup, saying none in the army would stage it.
Sonthi was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the Council for National Security.
"No way, I believe the Army will not do that," Sonthi said, responding a reporter's question as to whether the bomb attacks might be a precursor to a second coup.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023071
The following report is a bit wierd. What training do you need to spot a dodgy person doing something suspicious?: -
Sonthi expects more terror attacks
The chairman of the Council for National Security expects more attacks from those behind the bomb attacks in Bangkok on New Year Eve.
Speaking to reporters a press conference after a CNS meeting, CNS chairman and Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin said the CNS would hold trainings for the general members of the public so that they could help monitor against possible terror attacks and could inform the authorities in time.
He said the CNS would seek cooperation from owners of fuel stations, department stores and various factories to send their employees to receive trainings.
He said the trainings should help the people know as to whether they should alert officials about irregularities.
Sonthi said the CNS has assigned the Internal Security Operations Command to be in charge of security affairs in the country.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023072
Baton Rouge
01-01-07, 09:29 PM
.....
There were reports the interim government might move quick to seize assets of Thaksin and his family in order to cut financial supplies to any underground element bent on creating political violence and trouble. Some anti-coup activists suspected asset seizure to be a possible motive for the military to "stage" the New Year attacks.http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/01/headlines/headlines_30023035.php
New Mandala has some very valid comments on this issue, although one seriously wonders if any political organization here could ever really be described as legitimate. They all pretty much break the rules with impunity, but TRT has got it down to a fine money-oiled art. This is always a problem. How can you ever change anything in Thailand without resorting to illegality? The dice is loaded against you when you try to do things the 'English' way. But you are also damned when you resort to illegality. This sort of behavior is ubiquitous. Yes, I think locals are right to talk about it and accept it as the 'Thai way'. They seem more interested in general comfort than in justice. That said, just don't give me any of that crap about Thailand being a democracy or its mainman having an almost god-like disposition. :rolleyes: You may get me to go along with it, but I sure as hell don't believe in it at all.
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/
UPDATE: I suppose restraint would be too much to expect from the military junta. According to The Nation (thanks Patiwat) members of the Council for National Security are already linking the bombings to Thaksin and using this as a pretext to call for the seizure of his assets:
A security source said the Council for National Security may order the seizure of assets of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to cut money supply for financing disturbance in the country. The source said the CNS believed Thaksin was behind the series of seven bomb attacks in Bangkok Sunday evening.
This despite the fact that intelligence agencies have been unwilling to identify any culprits. I am not going to lose any sleep about Thaksin’s assets, but this is clearly part of a pernicious campaign whereby political leaders and members of a legitimate political party are labelled as subversive and as acting contrary to some vaguely defined national interest. The ongoing campaign against the so-called “undercurrents” - involving increasingly hysterical vilification - is a blatant attempt to silence a legitimate political force.
Yes, we're almost certainly being fooled again! But who really wants to hand 'Justice' to Thaksin & TRT when they have been stomping all over 'Justice' in their size 15 Doc Martens for the last five years. They are certainly guilty of something.The last thing we need in power again is some guy who has pulled a crafty fast one over the military. He was way too smug before all this blew up. I think I'll opt for comfort this time around, in the cynical belief that there is no party in Thailand that looks set to practice anything even vaguely resembling democracy any time soon. I guess I've been here too long!
Confuscius he say, "Man who pisseth up against the wind, getteth his own back!"
Someone called the thread "dispassionate" in a positive sense. Well, not always! We haven't said enough about the victims of this dreadful game: -
At Phramongkutklao Hospital, the death of Ekhachai Ruepoom, 26, brought the number of fatalities to three. Ekhachai was seriously injured in the Victory Monument blast.
The other two who died on Sunday night were Songkran Kanja-na, 36, and Suwitchai Nak-iem, 61. Songkran was caught in the Victory Monument blast and Suwitchai was killed by the explosion near a Chinese spirit shrine in the Klong Toei area. He was the shrine's keeper.
His wife Srilak U-naikan yesterday picked up her husband's corpse at the Police General Hospital. The widow was in tears, urging those behind the blasts to stop the violence against innocent people.
"I don't know who did it or which faction they are from but they shouldn't have done it because it has led to a loss of life among innocent people," she said.
"Good people were killed, and most importantly the person whom I love was one of them. I would like to convey my condolences to the others who have been affected and would like the masterminds to stop what they're doing because it will only lead to more losses."
Kwanjira Kajana, a relative of Songkran yesterday came to pick up his body at Ramathibodi Hospital. She said Songkran was the single breadwinner for his family and was looking after his elderly parents in Uttradit province. His mother is paralysed.
"I would like the person who did it to stop and think about how much loss it is causing and whether some people who died had to look after others or not. Like Songkran who became a victim, he had the responsibility of caring for his parents. But he was killed without committing any wrong, so how will his family survive? Please do not do it anymore," Kwanjira said.
Kwanjira received Bt15,000 relief from the Interior Ministry and Bt10,000 from Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin for organising his funeral rite.
......
Public Health Minister Dr Mongkol na Songkhla said he was worried the bombings would create panic among the public. He ordered the Mental Health Department to open a hotline, number 1323, to provide counselling for anyone who might feel they are under pressure.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/02/national/national_30023085.php
This report SEEMS to indicate that the police believe the injured mosque keeper might have been involved: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023030
This report is still no clearer, but I think we owe someone the benefit of a further explanation: -
Mosque worker hurt by small explosion
A small home-made bomb exploded at a mosque in Chiang Mai's Muang district yesterday, injuring its Burmese worker, police said.
The victim was identified as Nasis Ahamad, 34, who suffered moderate injuries to his arm and hand from the explosion.
Solae Sawangsiripol, a mosque official, told police that when Nasis arrived at the masjid, he found a dark object wrapped in insulating tape. It exploded when he was about to pick it up.
He said Nasis also heard a motorcycle speeding away from the mosque shortly after the explosion.
Police said the mosque's garage and some lights at the mosque were damaged.
Lt Col Noppakhun Kiratikarnkul, a police investigator, said initial probe showed that it was likely the bomb was not thrown from outside but possibly was dropped by the victim.
The Nation
Chiang Mai
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/02/national/national_30023078.php
Former aides to Thaksin told to report to CNS
Four close aides of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra were summoned yesterday to report to the Council of National Security (CNS), junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said.
The four would be asked questions about the blasts on Sunday, Sonthi said.
"We are not blaming any of them for involvement in the bombings, but have called them to share their opinions and experiences," he said during a press conference shortly after he flew back from Saudi Arabia.
Former prime minister's secretary Dr Prommin Lertsuridej; former deputy prime minister Police General Chidchai Vanasatidya; former director of the National Intelligence Agency Police General Chumphol Manmai; and a senior policeman attached to the PM's Office Police Lt General Chalor Chuwong were reportedly told to report to the junta.
However, none of the four men went to the authorities yesterday. Prommin said it was an inconvenient time to see the military, so he had contacted General Saprang Kalyanamitr, the CNS deputy secretary-general and assistant Army commander, to postpone the meeting.
The others said they had yet to be contacted by the junta.
Sonthi said the junta planned to summon a number of "experienced" people for questioning.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/02/headlines/headlines_30023084.php
Chidchai & Chumphol are names to be expected here. As for the "experienced" people, I'd say Newin Chidchob springs to mind almost immediately. Newin is a mythologized heavy-risk taker with large sums of money. There are reports that some N & NE commune & village headmen have received payments in recent weeks.
Any other "experienced" spring to mind?
Tourists not deterred by travel warnings
Several foreign governments issued travel warnings for their citizens yesterday after the bombs in Bangkok on New Year's Eve, which killed three and injured 43.
Australia, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States all issued travel advisories to their citizens to stay at home and avoid moving about the city. They also warned that more attacks were possible in coming days.
New Zealand's foreign ministry issued a travel warning saying there was some risk to security and recommended tourists to exercise "a high degree of caution" in Bangkok following the bombings.
The ministry on its travel safety website advised New Zealanders in Bangkok to avoid unnecessary travel within the city and said terrorist attacks may also occur elsewhere in Thailand, including tourist areas.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also issued a travel advisory on its website, saying: "There is a possibility of further attacks in coming days. Australians are urged to avoid unnecessary travel in Bangkok.
Earlier, the United Kingdom's Foreign Office warned British travellers not to travel around Bangkok "unless absolutely necessary".
Other countries also warned their nationals via CNN broadcasts to exercise extra caution when travelling in Thailand
One wonders if they would include an advisory for the following. There must be tourists among this total: -
Road accidents over the first four days of the week-long New Year holiday have left 275 people dead and 3,067 injured, with drunk driving and speeding blamed for most of the casualties.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called a meeting yesterday to prepare an explanation to other countries about what happened.
They also distributed an English translation for embassies here of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's comments to the media, following his meeting at the Internal Security Operations Command headquarters on Sunday night.
How do you explain such things? Are you going to address any thorny questions on long-term policy mistakes? I doubt it!
Three Serbian, two British, and four Hungarian tourists were among the wounded.
Meanwhile, Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani said he had instructed Tourism Authority of Thailand offices worldwide to explain the bombs and to formulate working plans to restore confidence in Thailand.
Ditto the above comment!
Suvit yesterday visited badly injured tourist Marina Kovassco, from Hungary, who is being treated at Bumrungrad Hospital.
Kovassco was recovering from surgery but did not have a leg amputated, as widely reported earlier. She was one of two foreigners still in hospital.
:)
Agence France-Presse reported that, while some tourists admitted to being stunned by the bombings, others said they would not let them ruin their holidays.
:)
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/02/headlines/headlines_30023094.php
Nekochan
02-01-07, 03:23 AM
I think it is early to tell the public who is the culprit. I will never rule out southern terrorists, but CDR themselves can be a prime suspect! You may recall the bomb at Prem's residence or at Sonthi's (Mr. Lim) office. There was no suspect, no arrest whatsoever. But People said Thaksin did.
Did he actually do it?
Arson in Northeastern provinces? Spray paint on royal symbols? The benefit of this is that you can prolong the Martial law as you wish. ICT has blocked 19sep.org and prachatai has been on the list.
Reason? For national security!
It is such a coincidence.
The whole point is CDR will have a blame game on someone. They can have a better grip in politics. Perhaps, the terrorists did it, but you will never know.
Just stay out of trouble!:o
Urgent: police are defusing bomb at Central Lardprao
Police have evacuated shoppers at the Central Lardprao shopping mall after a bomb was detected.
Police are trying to defuse the bomb.
More details will be updated.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023101
There is obvious confusion here and I would recommend treating both articles with skepticism. At least the article below suggests that some people are being more vigilant when they go shopping: -
Shoppers frightened by false bomb scare at Central Lardprao
A false bomb scare has created turmoil at the popular shopping mall - Cenral Lardprao Tuesday morning.
Shoppers detected that the lid of a coin box of a public telephone booth in front of the mall had been left open so they alerted police at about 11:30 am.
Police rushed to the scene and evacuated shoppers.
Bomb disposal offices checked the booth and the area for about half an hour but detected no bomb.
After the checking, shoppers were allowed to return inside the shopping mall.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023101
Thai Rak Thai demands Surayud to name culprits
The Thai Rak Thai Party Tuesday called on Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to spell out names of those the premier believes were behind the string of Bangkok bomb attacks on New Year Eve.
Thai Rak Thai spokesman Sita Divari said Surayud had unfairly caused the public to suspect the Thai Rak Thai by simply stating that "the people who lost political benefits" were behind the attacks.
Sita said Surayud's statement would also influence police investigations because police would rule out other possibilities and would focus the probe in line with Surayud's theory.
"We call on Gen Surayud to disclose the names of those behind the attacks. The way he spoke without evidence caused the people to think that he took political opportunity while the people had suffered from untoward incidents," Sita said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023106
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra Tuesday cried foul over the conclusion of the government that people who lost political benefits were behind the Bangkok bomb attacks.
In his letter faxed from Bejing, Thaksin said the government jumped into the conclusion without making any arrest.
He said the government could reach such conclusion less in 24 hours, compared with many bomb attacks in the deep South, which the government so far failed to make any arrset.
He said the government distorted the information to mislead the people and play politics with the terrifying events.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023110
This report is still no clearer, but I think we owe someone the benefit of a further explanation: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/02/national/national_30023078.php
Victim 'carried mosque bomb'
The bomb that exploded at a mosque in Chiang Mai on Monday was carried by the victim, the commissioner of Chiang Mai provincial police said yesterday.
Maj-General Bandop Sukonthaman alleged that Nasis Ahamad, a Burmese worker injured by the blast at Chang Klan mosque, confessed to carrying the small home-made bomb to the mosque then accidentally dropping it on the floor, causing it to explode.
However, he said police had yet to charge Nasis, who is still in hospital, with any offence.
Bandop said police still had to investigate Nasis' motive for carrying the bomb into a sacred place. Villagers living close to the mosque, however, did not accept the explanation.
Bandop said he had reported his findings to community leaders, but the people said they did not believe a Muslim would bring a bomb into a mosque.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/03/national/national_30023146.php
CNS says it not jump to conclusion on its own
The secretary-general of the Council for National Security denied Wednesday that it had jumped to conclusion that power losers were behind the string of New Year Eve bomb attacks in Bangkok.
Gen Winai Phatthiyakul, permanent secretary for Defence and CNS secretary-general, was responding to criticism of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Winai said the CNS did not make its own conclusion but the theory was based on information and evidences compiled by government agencies concerned.
CNS chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin and Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said those who lost political benefits were behind the bomb attacks. Thakin cried foul, saying he was discredited with such jumping to conclusion.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023164
This business of 'political credit' interests me a great deal. Some might say that both Thaksin and the military were working on practically zero credit even before this whole coup thing arose. But very few ordinary citizens are quite that difficult to please. One does wonder, however, if such constant attrition of public goodwill will eventually lead to some parting of ways between the general public and those who believe only they are fit to govern. Way too optimistic of course! A small but consistently active group of people feel it is their god-given prerogative to demonstrate their grasp on power through fickle behavior; and the vast majority remain remarkably tolerant of such power-crazed loutishness. tor the victims of such a cynical slugfest, the only recourse to justice amounts to little more than a few scraps of mercy from the big man's table. I doubt that this lack of redress will change in my lifetime, so it seems we are doomed to plenty more crises of this nature in the years to come.
Such rash actions really are the essence of normal political dialogue here. It all bears more than a passing resemblance to the operations of the Italian mafia, which I suppose is the inevitable result of the 'Jao Muang' system of rule lingering into the 'modern' era. Just a pity that the system seems to lack those long periods of stability that opposing mafias sometimes arrive at, in which every one knows their turf and knows better than to wander onto another. If only Thai politicians were that effective!
And now for the second terror phase. Is it bored adolescents with nothing better to do, or bored power-losers/power-gainers ditto?: -
Urgent: police checking bomb threat at Bangkok school
Teachers and students of Kingphet School on Phetchaburi Road were evacuated at noon after a bomb threat was made against the school.
Police are still checking whether the threat is real.
The Nation
This man obviously 'cares' about journalistic ethics: -
Bomb threat made against The Nation
Police are checking a bomb threat made over the phone against The Nation Wednesday afternoon.
A caller called a receptionist at 1:18 pm, saying he had planted three bombs inside The Nation's compound.
The unidentified caller said he had set the bombs to explode in three hours.
Soldiers and police from Bang Na station are checking whether there are bombs planted in the compound.
"Listen carefully, I've planted three bombs inside buildings of Nation Group. I don't want to hurt people. I want to only to inflict damages to property. So, evacuate all people now. I did this because I was dissatisfied thta Nation Group published reports damaging to Thaksin without verifying information whether Thaksin was behind the bomb attacks. Nation Group presented one-sided reports to frame Thaksin and always publish biased reports. I've timed the bomb to explode in three hours. So, evacuate people now," the caller said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023179
Note that it is 'urgent'. The Nation is a tad over the top on occasion. And usually on the wrong occasions too. One can almost picture some guy alone in the newsroom tapping this out on his keyboard while all sane people scarper.
So many bomb threats have been made, I'll just list them. The Nation threat is being treated as a hoax. Nothing was found. Schools in Bang Na and Nonthaburi also received threats. A false alarm in Yaowarat. A bomb threat is being checked out at Central World. A bomb-like object was detected inside the Major Cineplex Building, Rajayothin branch at 5:30 pm.Bomb disposal police were checking the object. One wonders if 'back to school' is a factor in some of these.
Deserted backpack creates bomb scare in front of Central World
A deserted backpack inside a public telephone booth in front of Central World created bomb scare Wednesday afternoon.
Police said a foreign tourist spotted a backpack left inside a public telephone booth so he alerted a security official of a nearby hotel. The official in turn alerted police.
Police rushed to the scene and seal off three traffic lanes on the Rajdamri road at 3 pm while bomb disposal officers checked the bag.
Police found only a clothes and towel, a pack of tobacco and a magazine inside. Police did not know who owned the bag, but suspected that it might be intentionally left them to create bomb scare.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023190
In Phitsanulok, four major shopping centres as well as the Phuthachinarat Hospital were threatened. In Kanchanaburi, there was a call to the central bus station. Hoax calls were also made to Satun's La Ngoo Hospital, Roi Et's provincial hospital and Chiang Mai's Tesco Lotus Super Centre.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police, Pol General Phinit Maneerat, revealed yesterday that there were a total of 119 calls from residents of Bangkok to the 191 emergency call since December 31 and 23 of them were related to bomb threats. The rest of them reported suspicious materials or packages left in public places.
"It is good to have more eyes to help us in our work. However, I would like to ask the public not to panic. For those who made threatening calls for fun, they could be jailed for as long as 18 months," he said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/04/headlines/headlines_30023247.php
Baton Rouge
03-01-07, 09:48 PM
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/03/headlines/headlines_30023202.php
Former Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh lashed out at the Council for National Security (CNS) on Wednesday for trying to link him to the New Year bomb attacks.
"If the CNS is so good as to know the culprits behind the bombing, then why not arrest them all?" he asked, challenging authorities to issue an arrest warrant against him.Chavalit made the acerbic remarks accusing the CNS for portraying him as a scapegoat for its incompetence to identify the real culprits behind the explosions.
Many in the army have never forgiven Chavalit for a border skirmish with Laotian irregulars that he lost at the cost of the lives of many Thai soldiers. He has never forgiven his critics for being critics. In his opinion, a general is above criticism. Chavalit is a man driven by the idea that he never got the recognition in the military and the nation that he thinks he deserved.
"(CNS assistant secretary) Saprang Kalayanamitr claimed he already had pertinent information on the bombing, but he failed to take any action. This is gross incompetence," he said.
He said the CNS should examine among its ranks if it truly wanted to solve the case, alluding to speculation that the military had staged the bombing in order to justify its grab for power.
"I know about these things only too well. I've been doing the same kind of stuff myself for decades."
Younger military officers were inexperienced although they tried to act as if they knew everything, he said.
"Why is it I don't automatically get the respect due to an old warrior?" (Like Prem.)
Even foreigners knew that the bomb attacks were an insider's job as rival Thais sought to destroy one another, he said.
Completely ignoring the fact that he is almost as heavily disliked by locally-based 'foreigners' as Chalerm Yoobamrung. But I don't suppose his aides really enjoy the idea of telling him such unpleasant truths. Better to let him continue in a semi-blissful fantasy world.
In explaining why he was suspected in the bombing investigation, he said he was often blamed for things he did not do.
"In the past, I was accused of being a Communist sympathiser while combating insurgency," he said.
"In a recent case, (deposed premier) Thaksin Shinawatra removed me from solving the outbreak of southern violence because he suspected I was a Muslim sympathiser," he added.
Yes, that was wrong. The notion of Chavalit as a communist or closet Muslim is plainly ridiculous. They should have just told him that he was incompetent.
He warned that the violence might escalate if the CNS held on to power. The only way to restore normalcy is for the CNS to quickly hand back the power to the people, he said.
I suppose we should welcome the fact he is no longer sitting on his normal place on the fence on this issue.
In a separate interview, Lt General Pirat Sawamipak, seen as Chavalit's ally, denied his involvement in the bomb attacks.
Pirat admitted, however, that authorities had checked on his whereabouts after the explosions. "I told them I was at home as I am too old for partying," he said.
He said he also informed his alibi to General Pongthep Thesprateep, secretary general to the prime minister.
He dismissed speculation that his house had been searched and that he and Chavalit might be detained for questioning.
The Nation
The Nation is indirectly telling us that Pirat is a prime suspect of the CNS. Whereas that may not mean he is a bomb instigator per se, it probably indicates that has been an enemy of this junta since military academy. i.e. He's a classic power-loser of the old clique.
So Chavalit has highlighted the inconsistencies in the CNS's recent pronouncements on the bombings. However, we would be well-advised to realize that his comments here are also an attempt to defend his supporter Pirat. Pirat may well have been involved in something underhand, but military academy class honor dictates that Chavalit must defend Pirat; having doubtless received a great deal of support from Pirat in his own dodgy situations over the years. He is honor-bound to defend Pirat, even when it might be politically expedient to look the other way. And this is always the problem when Chavalit starts extolling the virtues of serving the public better. He might well be adept at exposing the CNS's duplicity, but his own decade's old duplicity makes him a pretty unreliable witness and advocate.
More recent clangers from Chavalit.
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=12935#post12935
Komchadluek reports a parent as saying that Rajvinit School - near the Amporn Garden - had received a bomb threat this morning. This has yet to be verified.
Khon Kaen Provincial Hall today indefinitely postponed their upcoming 'One Tambon One Product Fair' for fear of "untoward incidents".
The Foreign Ministry was scheduled to brief foreign envoys, about the New Year's Eve bomb attacks, at 11 am this morning.
Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Chalit Pukphasuk Thursday denied that there were conflicts inside the Council for National Security, which could lead to a second coup.
Chalit, deputy chairman of the CNS, said the eight CNS members had unity and all of them share the same goal of working for the country and people.
"I think there will be no second coup," Chalit said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023257
Defence Minister Gen Boonrawd Somtas said "men in uniform" were behind the fatal New Year's Eve bombs in Bangkok.
The minister said it was "highly likely that the perpetrators are men in uniform."
"It's 90 per cent sure that it is politically motivated and only a handful of groups of people have the potential to mount these attacks," he told reporters.
He said it was unlikely that civilians would have the training to coordinate the eight small blasts across a wide urban area, and said that left "only either police or military.".
Meanwhile Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told the National Legislative Assembly Thursday that forensics tests showed the New Year's Eve bombs were not of the same type as those used by the separatists.
"Forensics tests found that the bombs were similar to those used in the south, but I can reassure you that they are not exactly the same," Surayud Chulanont told the NLA.
"That is the reason why we have concluded that the bombings had nothing to do with the south, and rather that the ill-intentioned perpetrators are in Bangkok,"he said.
Surayud said Bangkok's major transport centres would remain under heightened surveillance to prevent further attacks, but warned Thais should brace themselves for new threats.
"The public should be prepared to deal with this new kind of threat to our lives in the future," he said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/04/headlines/headlines_30023291.php
Man arrested for making false bomb alert to 191 police
A man was arrested Thursday for allegedly calling 191 police to deceive that a bomb had been planted inside the Tha Phra police station.
Prapassorn Pornsurin, 30, was arrested at his house in Bangkok's Chomthong district at noon on Thursday.
Police said Prapassorn called the 191 emergency police on Wednesday to alert that a bomb had been planted in the police station.
Police checked and found no bomb. When police checked the phone record of the 191 police division, they found that the call was made by a mobile phone number, which was registered under Prapassorn's name.
After his arrest, Prapassorn admitted that he made the call out of dissatisfaction that the coup makers had ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whom he liked, and that the interim government had stopped populist policies of Thaksin.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023284
The Bangkok-based diplomatic community expressed concerns on Thursday whether the deadly bomb blasts on New Year's Eve would affect the lifting of martial law as well as the constitution drafting process and the elections.
Seventy-two diplomats from 62 embassies and consul offices as well as 19 officials from 14 international organisations were briefed at the Foreign Ministry by Permanent Secretary Krit Garnjanagoonchorn.
Gen Saprang Kalayanimit and Gen Anupong Paochinda, Assistant Commanders in Chief of Royal Thai Army and Assistant Secretaries of Council for National Security (CNS) were also present at the briefings.
Among several questions asked by the diplomats corp was whether the bombing on Dec 31, which killed three people and injured some 40 others, would disrupt the process of the martial law cancellation.
Anupong replied that the process is still ongoing and the government did not plan to make a change on the decision it has already made, said Foreign Ministry Kitti Wasinondh at a press conference after the briefing.
Anupong also insisted that the bombings would not affect the constitution drafting process as well as the general election.
The military told the diplomats that they knew about the attack in advance but never expected it would pose huge damage, according to a diplomatic source who attended the briefing. "The military at the briefing told us they lacked of budget to enhance intelligence network so that the information was not so accurate to step up preventive measures," said the diplomat in condition of anonymity.
Another western diplomat also asked about the possibility of the linkage of the incidents to the ongoing violence in the deep south. The assistant secretary said that intelligence gathered, particularly on the type of the bombs, has shown that the link to the southern insurgency was very unlikely, said Kitti.
A diplomat who attended the briefing said the military explained to them that bomb in the deep south were more powerful than those went off in Bangkok.
Diplomats also expressed concerns over the security at the embassies, which Krit said he is ready for discussion on additional security measures at the embassies and also suggested the diplomats to contact local police office for additional personnel to provide security at the embassies.
Krit assured the diplomatic corps that the government has taken several measures, including beefing up security officials and approved the installation of surveillance cameras in several sensitive areas, to deter further attacks.
Sopaporn Kurz
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/04/headlines/headlines_30023286.php
:confused: ITV News was just interviewing Assistant Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda. he was denying the possibility of a second coup. [Read this thread before you completely poo-poo the idea: http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=12983&posted=1#post12983] But perhaps more interesting (and we don't know where this info came from), the channel was running 'News in Brief' messages across the screen linking the bombings to the work of a group of politicians who had benefited greatly from the construction of Suvarnaphumi International Airport. Wonder what's in the air tonight? Perhaps it's a case of calling a bluff in order to see if the cockroaches start scuttling off. ;)
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023284
The hoaxer has been released as his mother claims he has a lifelong mental problem. Yeah!
A schoolgirl was also arrested for hoax calls. Yes, she wanted to go home early. Yuh!
A box, which appeared to have been made to look like a bomb, was placed outside Lotus Superstore Charansanitwong branch late last night.
The box had two exposed wires on the outside and was wrapped in black insulation tape. The box contained only a small amount of white powder.
Baton Rouge
05-01-07, 11:16 AM
Sometimes I think I get bent out of shape in my disliking for military men. That is until a report like this comes along. If anything shows that military men are lousy at managing the affairs of a nation, it is undoubtedly reports like this one.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/05/politics/politics_30023320.php
Even though the relevant parties wanted to downplay the bickering between former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and the Council for National Security (CNS), both sides tried to have the last word yesterday.
"I will not stoop to retaliate against Chavalit and I hope the public will be the judge to compare between my family background and a shyster," CNS assistant secretary General Saprang Kalayanamitr said, referring to his aristocratic roots.
"Let him talk and I will not rebut, because he will soon be dead," an aide quoted Chavalit as saying in a rejoinder to Saprang's remarks.
This is absolutely the sort of raw sordid emotion that military academies often create. Invoking aristocratic lineage is about the cheapest shot under the sun. Saprang is a loose canon who needs to be reined in with a swift reminder that he is only a public servant. As for Chavalit, there's nothing worse than a person who threatens death, but who then hires the task out. Hardly wise words from a former PM and a person who has always pictured himself as a statesman. It is obvious from all of the above and below that Chavalit has got himself into an even worse pickle than usual. These are the words of a scared man. And it probably wouldn't be any exaggeration to say that Saprang might well be in mortal danger. It's arguments like these that truly show how irrelevant public opinion continues to be in local politics.
The war of words erupted on Wednesday when Chavalit attacked the CNS for trying to link him to the New Year's Eve bomb blasts. He criticised Saprang for claiming to be in control of the situation despite the explosions.
Chavalit hinted the bombing was an inside job at the CNS.
Saprang retorted that he had not tried to pin the blame for the explosions on anyone. The investigation was under way and would examine all potential suspects, including ousted politicians, he added.
Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said no one in the interim government or the CNS had singled out Chavalit as a suspect. "The prime minister and the CNS chairman have only said the explosions were politically motivated," Boonrawd said.
Speculation about Chavalit's involvement originated from news reports and not from the authorities, he said.
Boonrawd said there was also speculation that Chavalit was paid Bt1.5 billion by deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, but time would tell whether this was fact or rumour.
According to intelligence reports, the bombings were an act of political violence, he said. The reports identified potential bombers capable of staging such attacks as being men in uniform from either the military or the police, Boonrawd said, adding the bombers were linked to political factions.
Authorities ruled out the involvement of southern insurgents and foreign terrorists after reviewing the bombing sites and the modus operandi, he said.
The defence minister said investigators would try to identify the culprits based on evidence. He dismissed the allegation that the CNS had staged the bombings in order to cover up other bad news.
"Foreign press reports said the bombing was an insider job, meaning it was staged by fellow Thais," he said, noting that none of the reports blamed the CNS.
Pongthep Thesprateep, secretary-general to the prime minister, said Chavalit knew best why he came out to attack the CNS.
PM Surayud says more chaos to come in next two months.
I'm always left wondering by such comments (as below) whether by "ill-intended" they mean just ordinary people who wish to know exactly what is happening!? People might have gone home early, but they weren't exactly trampling each other to death in the process. Surely, folks have a right to avoid being crushed by fighting elephants. It almost seems like it's OK to incur human collateral damage to press home some political point (that in fact has a great deal more to do with greed), but it's not OK to try and find out what's going on for one's own sake and that of one's friends & relatives. Hopefully, the CNS is slowly learning that greater transparency actually helps to prevent flat-out panic. Not to mention the fact that it might also leave the population less susceptible to the first manipulative rumor that comes along: -
Coup rumours could be linked to Dec 31 bomb attacks
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the country should be on alert as more chaos is expected within one or two months.
Surayud was speaking at a press conference after meeting with top Council of National Security members, including Gen Sonthi Bunyaratglin, Gen Winai Phattiyakul and Boonrawd Somtas at the Government House for about an hour.
"The situation could not be trusted for now. Within one or two months there could possibly be more chaos. The public should be on alert," he said without further elaboration.
Moreover he quoted Gen Sonthi as saying that the CNS will inform the public beforehand about its mobilisation and rotations of troopers so that the public would not be misinformed or panic.
More dissemination of the army activities will help prevent ill-wished people from distorting the information and disseminating rumours, Surayud said.
"Gen Sonthi promises that the public would be informed of the mobilisation and rotation of troopers so that they would not get panic or believe rumours from ill-intention people," he said.
Rumours swept the capital and the country on Thursday night after many people saw army military trucks loaded with troopers admist unconfirmed reports that some powerful and influential groups of people tried to stage coup.
The rumours forced people to go home early. Many offices told their employees to leave the office and directly go home.
The panic and rumours came as series of fatal bombings hit the capital in the New Year's Eve, killing three and injuring some 40 others.
Surayud said the rumours could be linked to the bomb attacks on December 31, 2006.
The Nation
Spokesman Kasturi makes no mention of other southern separatist groups, however: -
Pulo denies responsibility over Bangkok blasts
Separatist Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) has dismissed deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's blame on it over deadly bomb in Bangkok on New Year Eve.
Kasturi Mahkota, Pulo's Foreign Affairs Chief said in a statement issued Wednesday that he has never thought of finger-pointing tactic to blame each other for the bloody incident was still practice in the civilised society.
"Especially when Mr Thaksin, who is now out of power, no sense of guilt and from afar, is baselessly blaming us, as he always did at the cost of others to win his endless conflict-of-interest nature," he said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023368
"Be they atheist Thaksin or any individuals or parties who naively judged the explosions were the work of Patani freedom fighters from the South, we invite you all to stop making myth after myth and face reality instead," Kasturi said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/05/headlines/headlines_30023369.php
An poster who will remain anonymous on a site that will remain anonymous. Hopefully, it is not hysterical to increase the police presence. It might indicate that the CNS is about to take some action that could draw retaliatory attacks: -
Sorry to post rumors on your site, but the police are now on standby at all shopping malls in Bangkok. Seems like hysteria is breaking out over here. I just got a call five minutes ago from a friend in the know. January 05, 2007 1:46 PM
Over 20 schools in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district cancelled classes and sent home students after rumor swirled around the district that bombs had been planted in eight busy locations in the district.
The rumors created panic among the parents who rushed to the schools and asked permission to take their children home so the schools decided to cancel classes shortly after 10 am.
Direk Saeson, the director of Pak Chong School, said he received a phone call from a person, who claimed to be a parent. The caller said he had learnt that a bomb had been planted inside the Pak Chong School.
Direk said the caller also called other schools, inquiring whether there were bomb threats against the school.
Direk said police and sniffing dogs failed to detect any bomb in his school.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023373
Baton Rouge
05-01-07, 05:17 PM
Decades went by in which any form of representation for the disaffected was suppressed with extreme brute force and ignorance. So much so, that we have now gotten to the point where those with relatively honest reformist objectives have almost entirely melted away. Thus it is, that after Thaksin finally figured out that the disaffected were a constituency going to waste, we ended up with a disgruntled section of society that can so easily be misled by the politically ambitious and dishonest.
Not much of a New Year to look forward to, is it?
I'm also looking at the Bo Bae issue. [http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=12998#post12998] And thinking to myself that it is a classic case of people who have absolutely no one to really press their case. Apirak's Democrats aren't going to help. Thaksin's TRTs might help, but they will exact a heavy price for their part of the bargain. (Have they perhaps engineered this conflict anyway?)
What a pisser that when people really begin to show some desire to have their discontent addressed, that their constructive energy should be diverted to the service of ideologically vacuous political parties; parties that are entirely content to try and replace the current hegemony with another hegemony of almost parallel motives.
Noppadol denies Thaksin has paid Chavalit to create disturbance
Noppadol Pattama, legal adviser of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, denied Saturday that Thaksin had paid former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to create disturbance.
Noppadol said the allegations were rumours made to with political goal to discredit Thaksin and to create confusion in society.
He said those who made such allegations should come up with strong evidence.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023439
All Bangkok police stations on standby to deal with bomb hoaxes
The metropolitan police chief has instructed all 88 police stations in the capital to be on high alert to deal with callers who make bomb hoaxes.
Pol Col Phinit Maneerat, spokesman of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said Pol Lt Gen Wiroj Chantharangsi gave the order after the 191 emergency police was overwhelmed with calls reporting bomb threats, which turned out to be hoaxes.
Phinit said the 191 police would report the calls to respective police stations to investigate and arrest the callers.
The spokesman also warned parents to ensure that their children would not make bomb plank calls for fun as the parents would also be liable to punishment with a maximum jail term of six months and/or a maximum fine of Bt20,000.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023440
Prem: Blasts intended to unseat govt
Privy Council head insists authorities take steps to restore normalcy
The New Year bomb blasts exhibited reckless disregard for public safety and were carried out by ill-intentioned people seeking to undermine the government for self-serving gain, the chief adviser to His Majesty the King declared yesterday.
"Attacks on innocent people are most despicable acts only fanatics or the most cruel individuals could contemplate," General Prem Tinsulanonda said.
The president of the Privy Council said it was clear from the nature of the attacks that the real targets were the government and the Council for National Security.
"If you don't like the government then attack it directly," he said, condemning the attacks on innocent people as irresponsible and cowardly.
He insisted the authorities swiftly restore normalcy.
"Ill-intentioned people should be exposed for their evil, and the authorities must do everything in their power to safeguard the country and its people," he said. He referred to what he termed vested interests behind the bombings.
He made the remarks at his Nakhon Ratchasima home after welcoming New Year well-wishers led by provincial governors and senior military officers stationed in the Northeast.
Meanwhile, former supreme commander General Saiyud Kerdphol said three groups were suspected in the December 31 blasts.
One group includes those ousted from power in the September coup and seeking to destabilise the military-backed government.
Another is those in the current government who want to tighten their grip on power.
The third group is involved in the deep-South insurgency, Saiyud said.
Former Air Force leader Air Chief Marshall Arun Promthep thought the involvement of southern militants was unlikely because they had no sympathisers in Bangkok to hide them after detonating the bombs.
However, Thai Rak Thai acting leader Chaturon Chaisang accused the government of blowing suspected political violence out of proportion and triggering a climate of fear.
"Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont shows his ineptitude in communicating with the public by sounding an alarm over the possibility of more bombs in the coming two months without justification," Chaturon said.
He encouraged Surayud to speak only if he had evidence and not float negative opinions that only dampened public sentiment and hurt the economy.
He also dismissed Surayud's remarks about a link between the New Year bomb attacks and a coup rumour that circulated on Thursday.
"I heard about the rumoured second coup from senior police and military officers and don't think it is groundless speculation," he said.
The Nation
NAKHON RATCHASIMA
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/07/headlines/headlines_30023469.php
The Bangkok Pundit Blog nearly always has some insights into the muddle they call Thai Politics. However, just like the rest of us, he's probably completely lost in the byzantine bifurcations of this strange case. No disrespect intended!
I note that evidence of southern involvement in these bombings is hard to shake off completely. The arguments against are indeed very weak. Given claims that the insurgents have actually infiltrated the Thai government, just how difficult is it for them to produce bombs that appear to have someone else's signature on them. Thai intelligence networks seem to have spent so much telling the public that the insurgents really aren't all that bright that they have grown to believe their own myth. As for the idea that southern insurgents have no supporters amongst Bangkok's Muslim population, it's absolutely laughable. It might have been true in the past, but radicalization of small sectors of all Muslim communities has occurred worldwide. I don't think it's that far-fetched to suspect that the insurgents might well have carried out unclaimed bombings precisely because they wanted to create dangerous rifts in the Thai military - a very fragile grouping at the best of times!
None of the protagonists in this conflict are being evenly remotely honest with the long-suffering public. I doubt any of us bystanders will ever completely understand the labyrinth of lies 'they' have all created, and it appears that even the heavy hitters (Chavalit being a prime case in point!) have confused themselves with their own endless deceit: -
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Chavalit and his Powerful Friends
The Bangkok Post:
The attempt by Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda to heal the rift between the Council for National Security (CNS) and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has hit a snag over a demand by the former key member of the Thai Rak Thai party that the CNS deliver an official apology to him. A source close to Gen Chavalit said yesterday he has never seen the retired general so furious, especially upon hearing that he was named ''Thaksin's lackey'' in a CNS meeting by outspoken CNS deputy secretary-general Saprang Kalayanamitr. ''How could he say that? Doesn't he realise that Gen Chavalit would come to know about it?'' the source said. The CNS should have shown some respect for Gen Chavalit, he said.
COMMENT: First, I should note the source of the article is a Bangkok Post "source" so the normal disclaimer on reliability applies. However, an article yesterday from a source close to Gen. Prem corroborates some of the information so it seems unlikely that sources from both sides can be wrong. Second, I have no doubt that Gen. Chavalit has friends in powerful places to pass on news to him. He hasn't stayed this long in the limelight because he is a no one. Third, not specifically because of this story, but Gen. Saprang as Army Commander-in-Chief would be a nightmare for the Army. He seems such a liability at the moment, but attacking Chavalit without evidence won't win any brownie points from Prem - see also this Asia Sentinel article over Saprang's role in a possible coup this week.
The article puts into context the public slinging match between Chavalit and Saprang this week.
The article continues:
Gen Prem is trying to mediate and defuse the conflict between the two parties. It was the elder statesman who had asked the CNS to telephone Gen Chavalit, who had served as army chief under Gen Prem during his days as prime minister.
Initially, Gen Prem was convinced by the CNS information that Gen Chavalit was behind the New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok and Nonthaburi.
But on Thursday, he telephoned Gen Chavalit and asked him for an explanation about the accusations levelled against him on the bombings and the counter-coup rumours.
''After getting Gen Chavalit's side of the story, Gen Prem began to think differently. So he wanted both the CNS and Gen Chavalit to clear the air,'' said the source.
''Because of Gen Chavalit's seniority, the CNS members need to look at themselves in the mirror. Considering what the CNS has done to his reputation, a phone call to Gen Chavalit would not be enough. Only a deep wai to the general would do in this case,'' said the source.
''Gen Chavalit has asked people close to him not to exchange words with the CNS because he did not want the public to see any cracks in military unity,'' the source said.
Yesterday's article sourced from someone in the Prem camp says:
Gen Prem also asked if intelligence reports linking Gen Chavalit with the blasts were credible, the source said.
However, Gen Prem made it known to the CNS chairman that personally he did not believe Gen Chavalit had anything to do with the bombings.
The article continues:
The source said that Gen Chavalit has information and evidence indicating that a southern insurgent group was responsible for the blasts.
Footage from security cameras at a shopping complex showed that a man and a woman were key suspects for placing time bombs in two countdown areas. This bomb-planting pattern is commonly used by insurgent groups in the deep South.
Gen Chavalit has given several pieces of evidence to the CNS, but the CNS has discarded them all, said the source.
''They just refuse to listen and only believe that the bombings were politically motivated, and blame it on Gen Chavalit and his close circle of friends,'' the source said.
COMMENT: The mention of footage from security cameras about a man and women has also been reported in this Kom Chad Luek article (Thai language only)- more on that tomorrow.
About Chavalit having evidence that it was the southern terrorists, it appears to be at odds with with what he says in this article about him implying it was inside job, then again we now know of his anger at the CNS so his suggestion that the "CNS should examine among its ranks if it truly wanted to solve the case" might be more in regards to the CNS keeping an open mind instead of him actually thinking it was an inside job.
Posted by Bangkok Pundit at 3:02 AM
http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/
:confused: :eek:
Asia Sentinel also has some 'source' comments on Gen. Saprang that confirm some of my worse suspicions about his 'gung ho' character: -
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=332&Itemid=31
.....
As for Thursday’s incident, sources said Saprang and company planned to oust the military-appointed government, rip up the interim charter, put Thaksin’s family under house arrest and seize their assets. They also wanted to arrest former Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the most vocal junta critic, who also has been suggested as a suspect in the December 31 bombings.
This element of the junta believes, as Saprang said, that Sonthi and Surayud have not done enough to crack down on Thaksin loyalists, allowing them to regroup. Saprang, who is vying to replace Sonthi as army chief when the junta leader is scheduled to retire in October, wants to take a harder line. Sources said the planned coup was foiled because Saprang did not have the support of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
As Saprang, Sonthi and Surayud met for talks Thursday night, the king never responded to requests for a meeting, leading the three to strike a compromise, sources said, which would see them flexing their military might against Thaksin loyalists and others.
Whatever Thursday night’s events portend, the turbulent, opaque maneuvering of the past week makes it seem that the goal of a more democratic Thailand after Thaksin’s removal may be a pipe dream. Rather, conservative military forces appear ready to tighten their grip on power as struggles within the ranks rise to the surface, setting the stage for continued unease and potential violence. Many analysts speculate whether Sonthi, generally regarded as a professional soldier who is looking forward to retirement, can keep the armed forces unified before the October elections.
.....
Asia Sentinel also raises the gloomy spectre of this crisis allowing the return of traditional politicians who share all of Thaksin's most negative qualities; but who have none of his redeeming features: -
The strategy of those who may want Surayud to leave may just be to make his life as difficult as possible. Surayud already said he would resign if recent allegations that he illegally purchased land on a forest reserve, reportedly dredged up by Chavalit’s aides, proved to be true.
“The groups that want Surayud out may just be spreading coup rumors to increase the pressure so much that he just resigns,” said a Western diplomat who follows politics closely. “If that happens, it would be hard to find a replacement. If they get really desperate to find somebody, then these guys like Chavalit and [traditional politician] Banharn [Silpa-archa] may bizarrely come back on the scene.”
It’s hard to imagine that the coup leaders would trust Chavalit to take over the civilian government, but there is typically a fine line between friends and enemies here. For sure, Chavalit has taunted the coup leaders. He accused Saprang of “gross incompetence” for not making arrests on the bombings after claiming to know who did it.
Chavalit, though, is a consummate survivor. He remains close to retired general Prem Tinsulanonda, who heads the privy council and is widely seen as the mastermind of the coup. In desperate times, desperate measures may be called for. Chavalit also served in Thaksin first government as Deputy Prime Minister.
BangkokPundit
08-01-07, 03:44 AM
The Bangkok Pundit Blog nearly always has some insights into the muddle they call Thai Politics. However, just like the rest of us, he's probably completely lost in the byzantine bifurcations of this strange case. No disrespect intended!
None taken. Who really knows what is behind this? Some personal animosity