Bomb/Grenade attacks reported in Bangkok

Bangkok Post Breaking news report

BOMB ATTACKS REPORTED IN BANGKOK

(BangkokPost.com)

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 near the Klong Toey market, 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.

The numer and extent of casualties were unknown immediately after the explosions. Graphic footage shown on television showed damaged vehicles and blood-stained streets and pavements.

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.

Seven Bombs Rock Bangkok, Kill two

BANGKOK: -- 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 2006-12-31

[llz]

Terrible news for a very sad New Year's Eve.
My deep sympathies to all involved especially the injured and the killed in Saphan Kway ; I know the pedestrian bridge as much as I can and at this time there were probably a lot of people in the streets, including bar boys heading to their bar for the evening. Very sad really, these thai people are so nice and so hard working, they do not deserve this.
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