BKK Bombings:New Year's Eve '06

[GWR]

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/brea...ewsid=30022983

[ttaaee]

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

[GWR]

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...s_30022985.php

[GWR]

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...s_30022985.php

[airlana]

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

[GWR]

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

[GWR]

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.

HRH the King is making a New Year Speech on TV right now! It may have been pre-recorded.

[GWR]

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...s_30022985.php

[GWR]

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/brea...ewsid=30022989

[GWR]

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/brea...ewsid=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/brea...ewsid=30022991

[GWR]

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/brea...ewsid=30022992

[GWR]

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/brea...ewsid=30022993

[crowbait]

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.

[GWR]

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.

[GWR]

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