Three dead in Thailand Blasts

From Aljazeera.net:

"At least three people have died after three bombs exploded in department stores in southern Thailand, police and army officials said.

The bombs detonated at around 8.20 pm local time in Songkhla province's Hat Yai city, said Lieutenant General Ongkorn Thongprasom, the regional army commander.

Several people were reported wounded in the attacks and were sent to nearby hospitals.

Local television pictures showed images of bloodied victims lying in restaurants or being led to safety by rescue workers."

There were reports that up to five people had died but these could not be confirmed.

One of the dead was a Western tourist, reportedly a Canadian citizen, police sources said.

Security forces have cordoned off the areas around the bomb sites and jammed mobile phone transmissions to prevent further blasts, police said.

[wowpow]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09 ... 013851.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/17/headlines/headlines_30013851.php)

[bucknaway]

These killings are slowly getting my attention.... It is making me wonder why I seem to have no fear of suffering from a bomb when I am on holiday in Thailand.....

[Bob]

You should never have any fear of getting blown...... :clown:

if they can find a way they will

[AMARETTO-old]

Hat Yai weeps, fears worst

Canadian teacher killed, 14 foreigners among 70 injured n Business leaders expect to lose millions of tourist dollars
The fatal bombings on Saturday night have cast a grim shadow over this vital economic and tourist hub of southern Thailand.
In the space of a few hours after the bombings, thousands of visitors fled the city and many more cancelled hotel bookings.
Community business confidence has also been rocked.
Six bombs exploded almost simultaneously at a bar, department stores, a hotel and a massage parlour at about 9pm on Saturday. Downtown Hat Yai was crowded with tourists at restaurants and entertainment venues.
The blasts killed four including 29-year-old Jesse Lee Daniel, a Canadian teacher, the first Westerner to die in the protracted deep-South insurgency.
More than 70 people were injured, including 14 foreigners, Health Minister Pinij Charusombat said.
Among the foreign injured are six Malaysians, three Singaporeans, three Britons, an Indian and an American.

Internationally-known Hat Yai is popular among foreigners - particularly Malaysians and Singa-poreans. Bargains and entertainment attract locals. It is the transport and finance centre of the deep South. Almost all business in Hat Yai, however, relies on tourism.
Hat Yai is no stranger to violence. It was a target during the first term of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra before the insurgency shifted to Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani after January 2004.
The latest major attack here was in April 2005 when a series of bombs exploded at Hat Yai Airport, a Carrefour and a hotel. One man was killed and several injured.
However, the explosions this weekend are expected to have a harsher impact on the Hat Yai economy.
It was the economic backbone of the deep South, said Songkhla Professional Tourist Guide Asso-ciation chairman Songchai Mungprasitthichai.

"The bombings took place in the heart of the city, leaving no sense of safety and security for visitors. It's going to be very difficult to re-build confidence within a short period of time," Songchai said.
He said as many as 7,000 tourists had been expected to visit the city over the weekend. All had cancelled their bookings or left the area. That had cost the city millions of baht.
"They witnessed everything that happened because it took place right in the downtown area. We don't know how to explain what happened right in front of their eyes," Songchai said.
Hat Yai would now suffer from a slowdown in tourism over the coming three months.
Normally, the city would expect about 100,000 tourists in that period with the average person spending Bt10,000. "We are losing billions of baht," he said.
"We are waiting for the day our businesses go bankrupt. We have been trying hard to cope ever since the violence spread to Hat Yai. But, after these bombings it is doomed," Songchai said.
Retailers have experienced an immediate impact. Nearly 2,000 downtown shop owners depend entirely on Thai and foreign visitors.
"After the explosions there were virtually no customers. Everyone fears for their safety," said Hat Yai Retailers chairman Nopporn Prakijwatanakul.
Deputy chairman of the Songkhla Chamber of Commerce Kawitpong Sirithananonsaku said the bombings would have a great and deep consequence on the Hat Yai and regional economy.
"Since violence re-emerged in the deep South in 2004, investment in Hat Yai has been low. So has the confidence of the private sector. The bombings this past weekend have simply made the situation worse," Kawitpong said.

The Nation : www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/18/hea ... 013914.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/18/headlines/headlines_30013914.php)

Sorry to appear obtuse but I do tend to get on with my life without taking an interest in these things. Can someone explain in not too many sentences who these bombers are and what they want?

[wowpow]

Her Britannic Majesty's Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Travel advice for Thailand - current

# We advise against all but essential travel to, or through, the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla, where there is continuing violence due to insurgency and civil unrest. Since January 2004, there have been regular attacks including bombings and shootings. There were a number of explosions in August 2006. On 16 September 2006, four bombs exploded in the town of Hat Yai killing four and injuring approximately 68. Two British nationals were amongst a number of foreign nationals injured in this latest attack. The Thai Government has declared a serious state of emergency in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

# There is a high threat from terrorism throughout Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against places frequented by foreigners.

# Since December 2005, there have been a number of small explosions in Bangkok. The motives for these attacks are not clear.

# In August 2006, three foreign tourists (including two British nationals) died in separate white water rafting accidents. Particular care should be taken when participating in this sport, especially during the rainy season from May to October.

# Penalties for possession, distribution or manufacture of drugs are severe and can include the death penalty.

# Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Thailand have resulted in a small number of human fatalities. The most recent fatality was in Uthai Thani Province in central Thailand on 03 August 2006. The Thai authorities are currently investigating suspected outbreaks in a number of other central, north and north eastern provinces. As a precaution, you should avoid live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked. For further information see Health section below and also read the FCOтАЩs Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet.

# The new Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport) is scheduled to open at 0300 on Thursday 28 September 2006. All domestic and international flights will operate from this airport from this date. A number of airlines are transferring some or all of their flights to Suvarnabhumi in advance of the official opening. If you are in any doubt, you should confirm with your airline which airport your flight will depart from.

# Around 750,000 British tourists visit Thailand every year. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Thailand is for arrests (mostly drug related); hospital cases (especially road accidents); and deaths, mostly from natural causes and road accidents. The majority of consular cases occur in Bangkok, Pattaya and Koh Samui.

# We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pag ... 3618386505 (http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386505)

[wowpow]

Steve 1903 - Thailand has a small Muslim minority (about 3%) who mostly live in the southern provinces next to Muslim Malaysia. Until early last century they were semi-autonomous. There has been unrest there ever since though this seemed have settled down in the 80's it has resurged with the increasing Muslim militancy around the world. The carnage that they have started has caused great distress throughout the country. Last December at PM Taksin's suggestion millions of paper origami cranes were made and dropped over the region as a plea for peace. Quite what they want seems unclear some want independence and some want better conditions. Over 1000 people have died during recent vile bombings and executions of the Buddhist community.

Cheers TeePee

If I'd to hazard a guess I suppose I'd have plumped for "Muslims". I find all their actions terribly tedious. I'm sure you'll be aware The Pope dared use a quote this week in a speech describing their religion as "violent" and they all took umbrage and went out onto the street burning pictures and flags and stuff as is their way. I know he says he didn't mean offence but I don't see why he had to justify his words when Muslims justify them for him.