Bombs in Bangkok

[Snick]

Everyone I know is safe, we all ended up at Guess Bar and drank excessively

Festivites were cancelled, but some people hung around Central World Plaza and 2 more bombs went off there at midnight.

No one really knows who did this yet.

[thaibound]

the gathering at big dog's/lucky's at nana was a bit briefer and less crowded than it probably would otherwise have been and i for one, after a momentary appearance there, spent the entire evening at the guess bar rather than touring the more likely target of nana plaza - a firetrap that the mere *threat* of a hand grenade could turn into a mass disaster.
spending an entire evening watching beer and jenny and fern et al shake their precious booty was exactly the antidote i needed to forget all about the fucking bombers and the fucked up world in which they operate.
unfortunately, the damage they wrought is real. death and injury and destruction and major disruption by forcing all major festivities to be cancelled. i don't know that new york would have reacted so obediently, but having none of the facts myself, i'd have to yield to whatever decision they felt was best.
a shame. a real fucking shame. but despite it all...
...happy new year to us all... and...please...
peace

[PigDogg]

From the NY Times


December 31, 2006
Bombings in Bangkok Kill 2 and Injure at Least 28
By SETH MYDANS
BANGKOK, Monday, Jan. 1 €” At least six small bombs exploded around Bangkok late Sunday, followed by two more just after midnight, killing two people and injuring at least 28 in a city that remains under martial law following a coup three months ago. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

New Year€™s celebrations were cancelled both in Bangkok and in the northern city of Chiang Mai.

The two bombs that exploded moments after midnight near a downtown mall injured eight people, including six foreigners, the police said today.

The national police chief said he doubted that Muslim insurgents from southern Thailand were involved, leaving the likelihood that the violence was tied to the country€™s continuing political tensions.

Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted as prime minister in a non-violent coup on Sept. 19, and the junta has warned of a continuing threat of instability from his backers. The civilian government it appointed approved funds last week for a 14,000 member special operations force to maintain civic order.

€œThe bombs exploded almost simultaneously,€ said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont as he visited the injured at a hospital following the first six explosions. €œIt must have been planned.€ But he said it was too early to conclude who was responsible.

Police officers were sent to guard the sites of the bombings and to secure other possible targets. Hotels tightened security, shopping malls closed early and the police cleared the Khao San Road walking street, where backpackers from around the world gather at New Year€™s.

The national police chief, Gen. Ajirawit Suphanaphesat, said Sunday night that at least six bombs exploded and that the police were inspecting suspicious packages in several other areas. Officials said two people had been killed and more than 20 injured in scattered locations that included a bus stop, a parking area near a shopping mall, a small open market and two police posts.

Bangkok€™s mayor, Apirak Kosayothin, carried out the New Year€™s countdown in a public square more than three hours early.

€œDue to several bomb explosions in Bangkok and for the sake of peace and security, I would ask all of you to return to your homes now,€ he told a crowd of 5,000 people. The police then began clearing the square.

Some people remained in the streets, however, waving from behind television reporters at the scenes of some of the bombings.

€œPolice reinforcements have been sent to various areas in the city,€ said the government€™s spokesman, Yongyuth Malyalarp. €œWe urge the public to remain calm.€

An insurgency in the three largely Muslim provinces of southern Thailand has taken more than 1,900 lives over the past two years. Shootings and bombings have become an almost daily occurrence. But so far, the violence appears not to have spread to Bangkok and other parts of the country.

The southern violence appears to have a number of causes. The ethnic Malay Muslims have complained over the years of neglect and discrimination by the distant capital in this largely Buddhist nation.

Thailand€™s political crisis did not end with the coup, which brought to a halt a period of mounting tension that included large demonstrations against the prime minister earlier in the year.

Mr. Thaksin was abroad at the time, and the question of his possible return continues to preoccupy people here. The junta has said its interim government will draw up a new constitution in preparation for an election late next year.

But it has delayed the lifting of martial law, saying unnamed €œundercurrents€ of pro-Thaksin opposition continue to present a threat.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the minority Democrat party, said on Saturday that he expected Mr. Thaksin€™s backers to step up political attacks on the military-backed government in the coming year.

He referred to recent accusations of corruption against the interim prime minister, Surayud Chulanont, and said, €œSuch fighting will be more fierce next year.€



Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

[PigDogg]

From The Nation. Also suspected bomb found at buddy Bar on Khao San Rd.



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 bumper 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.


It was fortunately that the New Year countdown event at Central World was earlier cancelled by 8 pm and thousands of revellers had already dispersed but many were still wandering around.

Police had to ask tourists and revellers to try to leave the area as soon as possible for fear that there could be another bomb.

Police said the bomb near Central World might be planted shortly before it exploded as police earlier checked the area but did not find it.

There were rumours of bomb explosions in many areas throughout the night and objects suspected to be bombs were sighted in several areas.

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.

[PigDogg]

From the Bangkok Post:

BOMBS SHATTER NEW YEAR'S EVE



zTwo dead, 15 hurt in Bangkok explosions

POST REPORTERS



Bangkok plunged into year-end chaos after six bombs, five in the city and one in nearby Nonthaburi, exploded almost simultaneously yesterday evening, killing two people and injuring at least 15, two of them seriously. The explosions occurred at a bus stop near the Victory Monument, in a rubbish bin at the main market in Klong Toey, traffic police booths in Saphan Kwai and at Sukhumvit Soi 62 and in a parking lot at Seacon Square department store on Sri Nakharin road.


In Nonthaburi, a bomb blew up a police booth at the Kaerai intersection.


The explosions came within a 15-minute span beginning at the Victory Monument about 6.30pm.


Those who died were Songkran Kanchana, 36, and Suvichai Nak-iam, 61. Songkran was injured at Victory Monument. He was pronounced dead at Rajavithi Hospital. Suvichai, caretaker of a Chinese shrine in Klong Toey, was pronounced dead at Chulalongkorn Hospital. Two children were also injured in the Klong Toey blast.


It was unclear who were behind the blasts, but police dismissed any connection with the southern insurgency. Across major web newsboards, the majority believed the attacks were the work of opponents of the military coup which ousted Thaksin Shinawatra on Sept 19.


A few hours after the blasts, bomb experts rushed to several spots, including superstore Big C Ratchadamri and Vibhavadi Rangsit Soi 2, opposite Chamber of Commerce University, where suspicious objects were reportedly found. Police spokesman Achirawit Supanphesat later confirmed the blasts at Klong Toey, Victory Monument and Saphan Kwai injured at least 15 people. It was unclear how many were wounded at which locations.


Those injured at the Victory Monument blast and treated at nearby Rajavithi Hospital were Yossapas Muangbao, Narongchai Rungcharoen, Ratchaneewan Klaying, Oamchai Pongpornchetta and three others identified as Natthanant, Chob and Aranya. At least two of them, one identified as Samruay Sida, were critically wounded.


Public health permanent secretary Prat Boonyawongvirote said injured were also treated at Phra Mongkut, Kluay Namthai and Paolo hospitals.


Ms Oamchai who was waiting for an operation last night at Rajavithi Hospital said she heard a loud noise and did not realise it was a bomb blast. Her body was soaked with blood, when people rushed her to hospital.


Prime Minister Surayud Chulanon ordered the defence minister, the deputy army chief and Army Region 1 to tighten security and visited the bomb victims at Rajavithi Hospital last night.


The blasts caused most department stores in Bangkok to close two to three hours early. Armed soldiers were deployed to guard important public places and major intersections.


Organisers of the New Year countdown at CentralWorld ''moved the event up'' three hours for safety reasons.


New Year countdown celebrations in Chiang Mai also wound down early.


Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin addressed tens of thousands of revellers packing Ratchadamri road about 8.45 pm. Shortly afterward the crowds dispersed. Events at Sanam Luang and Wat Saket, organised by City Hall were also cancelled.


News of the bombs, often spread through mobile phones, saw revellers leave the countdown areas en masse last night before the celebrations ended early. Traffic was gridlocked in many areas.


Napawadee Ananukarn, an office employee, 38, said she decided to cancel a New Year eve dinner after learning of the bombings from her family.


Assistant army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said the First Army had sent troops to help step up security.


He said martial law had not actually been lifted as it was not submitted for royal endorsement.


National police chief Kowit Wattana put the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the Central Investigation Bureau and the Special Branch Police on standby with security stepped up in and around Bangkok.

The Council for National Security immediately ordered a security beefup for important areas including Laem Chabang Port, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai.


In Chiang Mai the Third Army issued a security alert and set up several checkpoints which were being manned by para-military troops.

[allstar88]

hope everyone is ok dont let the c**nts win!          

[brocklanders]

Just by the types of bombs that were used and where, I dont think this was the work of Muslim extremists....it's the work of Thaksin loyalists, probably paid to do the acts by those whom economically benefit from Thaksin being in power. Again, I have no evidence to support this but the bombs normally used by Muslim extremists would have cause a LOT more damage.

[jaime24]

just hope everyone is ok & any one with friends & girlfriends in LOs they are safe to,
hope this doesnt carry on & affect the inoccent as they are the ones who end up suffering,
keep safe people.

[moe666]

While my girl friend gave me the details over the phone this morning her only comment was, send George Bush he kill muslim.
It changed her plans for the night she had planned to take 2 of her kids to a celebration later but said she was staying home.
If it were muslims from the south you have to wonder how this will change the new goverments more relaxed policy toward the south.
This could be very bad news for the Thai tourist industry.

[Guest]

Just heard about it, and wanted to add my hopes that admin, members, and loved ones in BKK are safe. Be careful out there.

[bigkev]

hope they join saddam husein when they're caught

[Guest]

it's all bad news my guess is that wanker thaksin is going to be stirring things up in 2007. wat a cunt eh not only has he robbed the thai people of billions but he wants to cause bloodshed. i hope i'm wrong i really am.

This is the big problem in SE Asia. Give a Corrupt copper the top job and suddenly he thinks hes King appointed and untouchable.

Power corrupts and money corrupts absolutely.

pray for peace people.

[bangkoksins]

We all have to be very careful not to overly speculate. It is easy for the certain people to accuse the old gov. , or give misleading info to point in that direction.

Fact is, that many people like Thaksin. Not just in the countryside but also in Bangkok. Speak to any taxi drivers about it and do an unofficial poll, the results will speak for themselves.

I am very concerned about the future as there does not seem to be any clear direction and the average Thai is getting more and more concerned as time goes on.

Just look at the Thai stock market over the past few weeks. As with anything if it costs the average punter money, he or she will be much more concerned than if it does not immediately and directly affect them.

Peace and well being to all.

[Guest]

(Mohammed @ Jan. 01 2007,08:32)

Ask anyone in Narathiwat, Yala or Pattani, they'll vouch that it is a religion of peace...

[richmond]

Not good news.I just dont understand what drives people to thess extreams regardless of who is responsible , at least Snick got his priorities right. Keep safe everybody