Thailand Sees Possible Muslim Role In Bangkok Bombs

[george]

Thailand sees possible Muslim role in Bangkok bombs

BANGKOK: -- Thai investigators are reopening the possibility Muslim militants from the far south might have planted bombs in Bangkok that killed three people on New Year's Eve, a top Justice Ministry official said on Friday.

Sunai Manomai-udom, head of the mnistry's Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said a man caught on a security camera near one of the places hit was also a suspect in a series of bank bombs in the three southernmost provinces.

"We think it's him," Sunai told Channel 3 television.

He named the man as Thawansak Jehna, for whom an arrest warrant was issued in October in connection with bombs in the Muslim-majority southern province of Yala.

Sunai said police and DSI investigators had spotted Thawansak, along with another man and a woman, on security video from a mall where a bomb hidden in a tube of potato chips had been defused.

In the immediate aftermath of the blasts, the army-installed government ruled out militants from the far south, where 2,000 people have died in a three-year separatist campaign of shootings and bombings.

Instead, they inferred that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a Sept. 19 military coup, or elements in the police and army still loyal to him were behind the attacks.

Thaksin, a former police officer, has denied any links to the bombs, which also wounded 38 people and sent shockwaves through the country.

Sunai also told a Bangkok radio station the DSI had asked Interpol for help in identifying the other two suspects on the tape.

Last week, police released without charge a group of 19 people -- a mixture of police, military and civilians -- detained seven days earlier on suspicion of involvement.

--Reuters 2007-02-02

[george]

Bangkok bombs linked to south

BANGKOK: -- A Thai investigator has suggested a link between a series of bombings in Bangkok on New Year's Eve and a Muslim insurgency in the country's south.

Sunai Manomai-udom, head of Special Investigations, said a man seen on security cameras near one bomb site was also wanted for attacks in the south.

He named him as Thawansek Paenae, a suspect in several bank bombings.

Previously, authorities have blamed the New Year's Eve attacks on elements loyal to ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Thaksin, who has not returned to Thailand since he was replaced in a September coup, has denied any involvement.

Mr Sunai said the suspect was one of three people - all from the south - picked up on security cameras.

But he said it was too early to conclusively link them to the bombings, and that investigators needed another week to decide.

That view was echoed by Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont, who was visiting southern provinces affected by the violence.

"Don't make a too quick judgement before the investigation concludes on whether the southern unrest has intensified and moved to Bangkok. We have to wait until the information becomes clear," he said.

More than 1,800 people have died in the restive south since January 2004, in violence blamed on Muslim separatists as well as criminals and security forces actions.

--BBC 2007-02-02

[britmaveric]

I hate being right....

[gummy]

This is linked to the other thread where they have asked the FBI for help. Shouldn't be a problem as they could come up with some suggestive evidence I'm sure for the Yanks to blame it on Muslims. Just hope they don't manufacture, oops sorry, find, sufficient evidence that warrants George W sendng his troops into the the South, mind you the Bush family would have an interest in the offshore gas field so invading yet another soveriegn country could boast the old pension fund a bit.

Edited February 2, 2007 by gummy

[HenryB]

I hate being right....

Always blame it on the Muslims. We all known its a another Mid East country that behind all the trouble.

Edited February 2, 2007 by HenryB

[kayo]

Way-Hey!!!! What'll the US give them in exchange for this "verdict".

And thailand (re-)joins the list of the "willing"... A sad day.

[popshirt]

This is linked to the other thread where they have asked the FBI for help. Shouldn't be a problem as they could come up with some suggestive evidence I'm sure for the Yanks to blame it on Muslims. Just hope they don't manufacture, oops sorry, find, sufficient evidence that warrants George W sendng his troops into the the South, mind you the Bush family would have an interest in the offshore gas field so invading yet another soveriegn country could boast the old pension fund a bit.

Duh. The US couldn't determine where the anthrax came from or who was behind it, remember that? To say nothing of Osama and I could go on........

[pampal]

Thaksin has joined forces with the southern insurgency.

They are doing his dirty work for him.

The enemy of your enemy is your friend.

[farangsay]

I hate being right....

Don't worry , might never happen.