Bombs in Bangkok

[Boxer]

Last Updated: Sunday, 31 December 2006, 12:56 GMT From BBC

Bangkok hit by series of blasts

At least 12 people have been hurt in four explosions in the Thai capital, Bangkok, reports quoting police say.
The blasts took place within 90 minutes of each other, with the first one at the Victory Monument in the centre.

Further explosions were reported at two police posts in Bangkok's northern suburbs and in the Klong Tuey area.

Thailand's prime minister was ousted in a military coup in September while the country's south has seen a wave of attacks blamed on Muslim separatists.

Police are investigating suspicious packages found at another six locations in the capital, a police spokesman told the iTV television network.

New YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN DOUBT?

A series of New Year's Eve bomb blasts rocked the Thai capital Bangkok today, killing at least two people and injuring 12, police said today.

The bombings in several parts of city capped a year of unrest in Thailand, including a military coup three months ago.

Police spokesman General Ajirawit Suphanaphesat said on the iTV television network today that authorities were inspecting six more locations where there were suspicious packages.

Police Lt Gen Chongrak Juranond, said one person died at Chulalongkorn hospital, and another police officer, Lt Col Teerawit Butsaban, said a second person succumbed to injuries at another hospital.

The iTV report said at least a dozen other people were injured.

Ajirawit said six people were injured by a bomb in the slum area of Klong Toey, and four by a bomb near a department store at Victory Monument, which is in a major traffic circle.

He said the other blasts were near a police post in the Saphan Kwai district, where two were injured, and the fourth in Kae Lai district in Nonthaburi province, a northern suburb of Bangkok.

There was no immediate word on the attackers' identities or possible motive.

Bombings and shootings occur almost daily in Thailand's three southernmost provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani, where an Islamic insurgency that flared in January 2004 has killed more than 1,900 people.

Muslims make up the majority in overwhelmingly Buddhist Thailand's deep south, where they have long complained of discrimination.

The insurgents are not known to have launched any attacks in Bangkok.

Thailand has also been immersed in political turmoil.

In September, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a bloodless coup by General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin. The military installed Surayud Chulanont as the interim prime minister until elections in October 2007.


http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/?jp=CW ... D&rss=rss1 (http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/?jp=CWSNKFMHGBID&rss=rss1)


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/ ... 33/1/.html (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/250033/1/.html)

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

I am familiar with almost all the 7 places mentioned so far as having been attacked. They are not only known to be crowded places, but some of them, especially Khao San Road, have very significant tourist traffic. It's bad enough for Thailand and the Thai people that whoever is behind the bombing clearly intends to kill as many as he can, but tourism will almost certainly nosedive when news of tourists being injured or killed gets around. It's no more a case of violence confined to the deep south which so far we've managed to ignore.

[AMARETTO-old]

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.



Source : http://www.2bangkok.com/

[AMARETTO-old]

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 ... 023018.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/01/headlines/headlines_30023018.php)

They have defused at least 3 so far. lets hope all SGT forum members are safe and sound,. Many tourists hurt is BBC latest.

It wouldn't bother me but many might think twice regarding destination Thailand.

The Bangkpok Post from today:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_new ... ?id=115641 (http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115641)

It wouldn't bother me but many might think twice regarding destination Thailand.

The Bangkpok Post from today:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_new ... ?id=115641 (http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115641)

Travel warnings for foreigners

(Compiled by BangkokPost.com)

Travel warnings have been issued following the New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok. Statements by the following countries are detailed below: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom.

---

Australia has issued a new travel warning for nationals travelling to Thailand in the wake of New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok which killed two people and injured at least 30 others.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has urged Australians to reconsider travelling to Bangkok.

"There is a possibility of further attacks in coming days," the department said. "Australians are urged to avoid unnecessary travel in Bangkok."

The British Foreign Office urged citizens already in Thailand to stay off the streets on New Year's.

The FCO, as the office is known, has changed its travel advice for the country, recommending Britons do not travel about in Bangkok "unless absolutely necessary".

Embassy officials have also set up two emergency phone numbers for anyone concerned about relatives who are currently in the Thai capital.

The FCO already had warned that there was a "high threat" of terrorism in Thailand, adding that attacks "could be indiscriminate and against places frequented by foreigners."

The two emergency numbers for anyone concerned about British relatives in Bangkok are (local numbers for the United Kingdom) 0066 2305 8253 or 0066 2305 8229. (The local numbers in Bangkok are: 02-305-8253 and 02-305-8229

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We were deeply disturbed to hear about the string of bomb attacks. Whoever is behind these attacks, they clearly demonstrate an indiscriminate callousness for human life."

On New Year's Eve, there were shows of bravado in downtown Bangkok. "No, I'm not scared. I'm from England. There are bomb scares all the time," said Keith Waters, who was with his Thai bride to celebrate the New Year.

The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs issued an official warning advising Canadians against non-essential travel to Bangkok. It updated the travel report section of its website for Thailand.

“Canadians currently in Bangkok should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times and avoid unnecessary travel. They should avoid crowds and highly congested areas where demonstrations or violent disturbances could occur, monitor local news reports and follow the advice of local authorities,” reads the travel warning.

New Zealand's foreign ministry issued a travel warning about Bangkok on Monday, saying there was some risk to security and recommending tourists to exercise "a high degree of caution" in the Thai capital. New Zealanders should avoid unnecessary travel within the city, and terrorist attacks may also occur elsewhere in Thailand, including in tourist areas.

"New Zealanders should therefore exercise a high degree of personal security awareness about possible terrorist action in Thailand generally, particularly in public and commercial areas, including landmark places known to be frequented by foreigners, public transport facilities, hotels, bars and shopping areas," the ministry said on its travel safety website.

The main danger to New Zealand citizens is to inadvertently get caught up in unpredictable acts of violence.

New Zealand had previously long warned of a "high risk" to security in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla because of ongoing violence due to insurgency and continues to recommend against all non-essential travel there.

It wouldn't bother me but many might think twice regarding destination Thailand.

The Bangkpok Post from today:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_new ... ?id=115641 (http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115641)

Travel warnings for foreigners

(Compiled by BangkokPost.com)

Travel warnings have been issued following the New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok. Statements by the following countries are detailed below: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom.

---

Australia has issued a new travel warning for nationals travelling to Thailand in the wake of New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok which killed two people and injured at least 30 others.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has urged Australians to reconsider travelling to Bangkok.

"There is a possibility of further attacks in coming days," the department said. "Australians are urged to avoid unnecessary travel in Bangkok."

The British Foreign Office urged citizens already in Thailand to stay off the streets on New Year's.

The FCO, as the office is known, has changed its travel advice for the country, recommending Britons do not travel about in Bangkok "unless absolutely necessary".

Embassy officials have also set up two emergency phone numbers for anyone concerned about relatives who are currently in the Thai capital.

The FCO already had warned that there was a "high threat" of terrorism in Thailand, adding that attacks "could be indiscriminate and against places frequented by foreigners."

The two emergency numbers for anyone concerned about British relatives in Bangkok are (local numbers for the United Kingdom) 0066 2305 8253 or 0066 2305 8229. (The local numbers in Bangkok are: 02-305-8253 and 02-305-8229

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We were deeply disturbed to hear about the string of bomb attacks. Whoever is behind these attacks, they clearly demonstrate an indiscriminate callousness for human life."

On New Year's Eve, there were shows of bravado in downtown Bangkok. "No, I'm not scared. I'm from England. There are bomb scares all the time," said Keith Waters, who was with his Thai bride to celebrate the New Year.

The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs issued an official warning advising Canadians against non-essential travel to Bangkok. It updated the travel report section of its website for Thailand.

“Canadians currently in Bangkok should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times and avoid unnecessary travel. They should avoid crowds and highly congested areas where demonstrations or violent disturbances could occur, monitor local news reports and follow the advice of local authorities,” reads the travel warning.

New Zealand's foreign ministry issued a travel warning about Bangkok on Monday, saying there was some risk to security and recommending tourists to exercise "a high degree of caution" in the Thai capital. New Zealanders should avoid unnecessary travel within the city, and terrorist attacks may also occur elsewhere in Thailand, including in tourist areas.

"New Zealanders should therefore exercise a high degree of personal security awareness about possible terrorist action in Thailand generally, particularly in public and commercial areas, including landmark places known to be frequented by foreigners, public transport facilities, hotels, bars and shopping areas," the ministry said on its travel safety website.

The main danger to New Zealand citizens is to inadvertently get caught up in unpredictable acts of violence.

New Zealand had previously long warned of a "high risk" to security in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla because of ongoing violence due to insurgency and continues to recommend against all non-essential travel there.

Like many I assumed that this must be the work of the southern insurgents. Both The Bangkok Post and The Nation report the authorities suggesting that it may well have been done by Taksin supporters.

"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".

Full article
http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/01Jan2007_news01.php

I will stilll be in Thailand, everyplace in Madrid , Paris, London, New York, terrorist, sure not be there and *I ahve been.

Chinese language newspapers overseas are warning of more bombs to come in the near future.

The take in UK, looking at the spread in the media, is that the bombs are getting their moment (which is what the perps intended), but it is a low key reporting heavily overtaken by international firework displays. Latest is the suggestion that Taksim was behind it... the bombs being designed to injure and not kill. Obviously badly designed. The bombs were clearly nothing to compare with Madrid and London and elsewhere. But one cannot but think that this is the start of a terrible reality check in the Land of Smiles. Were bombs to go off in the bars of Pattaya and Suriwong and perhaps a large hotel then the tourist trade would vapourise. The targets in fact appear to be 'Thai' thus the implication it is ' the South', on the other hand the large number indicate a different kind of organisation which takes one back to the other political front. The frightening thing remains that this is the start of something worse. But I have a habit of going shopping in London after a bomb, and will still come to Thailand so bugger the lot of them. And prayers for the injured, innocent of the woes of the wicked perps who will suffer thousands of years of bad khama - if only.

It wouldn't bother me but many might think twice regarding destination Thailand.



I've just been speaking to a relation of mine who works for a major travel agency, which operates 24/7 all year round. She tells me that they have already been inundated today (in spite of it being a Public Holiday) with phone calls and emails from people wishing to cancel their Thailand holiday flights and bookings.

[tony279760-old]

A Reuters report carried the following quote from deputy national police chief General Achiravit Supanpasat Achiravit:

With an eye on Thailand's lucrative tourist trade, which lures around 12 million visitors each year, (deputy national police chief General Achiravit Supanpasat) Achiravit said his men would ensure the streets are safe.

"We are the police. We know who is good or bad by looking," he said.

I know I feel safer.

[bkkguy]

"We are the police. We know who is good or bad by looking," he said.

I know I feel safer.

an emoticon would help here - or can we just assume sarcasm?

bkkguy

Much like the reporting in the U.K., it seems, the Bangkok bombings, while the second story on the national news broadcasts, were very brief with very little detail. If Thailand didn't mean so much to me personally, I might not have even paid attention to the report.

A Reuters report carried the following quote from deputy national police chief General Achiravit Supanpasat Achiravit:

"We are the police. We know who is good or bad by looking," he said.


He's making a list,
checking it twice,
gonna find out who's naughty 'n nice!
Achiravit is coming to town! :reindeer:

[bucknaway]

Joke all you want, but it is possible.... see Pic:)

http://upload5.postimage.org/89104/thumbnail.jpg (http://upload5.postimage.org/89104/photo_hosting.html)

WE must only hope there is no more. Under uk law if the goverment advises travel , and a person decides to travel against the advise his travei insurance is null and void

"Still Current at: 2 January 2007
Updated: 2 January 2006
Thailand

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Terrorism/Security section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

* A number of bombs exploded in Bangkok on 31 December 2006. There is a possibility of further attacks in coming days. British Citizens are advised to exercise caution when travelling within Bangkok and wherever possible to avoid crowded public places.

* 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 eight explosions in Yala Province on 9 November 2006 injuring 13 people. The Thai Government has declared a serious state of emergency in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

I checked the Australian and US Government advice for travellers and it is similar.

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

I checked the Australian and US Government advice for travellers and it is similar.

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

Seems not so to me. The latest US Stae Dept is ...


Given the fluidity of the current situation, the Department of State advises all American Citizens residing in or traveling to Bangkok to continue to monitor events closely, to remain indoors when possible, to avoid any large public gatherings, and to exercise discretion when moving about Bangkok.

It is basivcally what they said the day of the '06 Coup. Just reiterated. It doesn't seem to imply certainty of attcks like the British warning does.

I checked the Australian and US Government advice for travellers and it is similar.

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

Seems not so to me. The latest US Stae Dept is ...


Given the fluidity of the current situation, the Department of State advises all American Citizens residing in or traveling to Bangkok to continue to monitor events closely, to remain indoors when possible, to avoid any large public gatherings, and to exercise discretion when moving about Bangkok.

It is basivcally what they said the day of the '06 Coup. Just reiterated. It doesn't seem to imply certainty of attcks like the British warning does.