8 Killed, 97 Injured In Grenade Attack In Nong Bua Lamphu

[george]

3 killed, some 40 injured in grenade attack in Nong Bua Lamphu

Nong Bua Lamphu: -- Three people were fatally injured and about 40 others suffered injuries when a teenager hurled a grenade at his rivals at a concert here late Saturday night.

The attack took place at 11 pm at the concert held for merit making at Sirimongkol Temple in Ban None Namai village in Tambon None Sa-ard of Sri Bunruang district.

Police said two groups of teenagers were engaged in brawls in front of the concert stage and then an explosion occurred.

Three audiences died at the Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital. About 40 others were injured and about half of them were in critical condition.

Police arrested a suspect.

-- The Nation 2009-02-01

[animatic]

blindingly stupid behaviour.

[Samuian]

mentally retarded.... sorry for the dead and all those injured!

[NHJ]

some websites have a different death toll, 7 people and more than a hundred injured.

[Scott]

How very sad. My condolences to the deceased and my hopes for those who are injured that they have a speedy recovery.

[sabaijai]

7 killed in temple attack

NONGBUALAMPHI - AT LEAST seven people were killed and about 100 injured when a man lobbed a hand grenade into a busy Buddhist temple compound in northeastern Thailand during a celebration, police said on Sunday.

Local police in Nong Bua Lam Phu province in the rural Issan region said a dispute erupted between young men late Saturday as religious ceremonies to celebrate a new Buddhist pavilion led to traditional music and dancing.

'A group of people came for Mor Lam,' said Police Colonel Thammajak Kongmongkol, referring to traditional Issan song and dance. 'They had an argument, before a person threw a hand grenade into the crowd.'

Col. Thammajak said eight people were killed and 97 injured when the M-26 grenade was hurled at the crowd just before midnight, but hospital officials treating the wounded put the death toll at seven and the injured at 111.

A nurse at Nong Bua Lam Phu provincial hospital said that most of the injured were suffering from shrapnel wounds, with none in serious condition.

Col. Thammajak said police had started questioning witnesses who attended the temple fair to find out who was behind the bloody attack. No suspects had been arrested so far, he told AFP. -- AFP

[plachon]

As tragic and insane as this incident seems, it is not a new phenomenon in Thailand, especially Isaan music concerts or events where many young people are gathered together fuelled by alcohol. I remember asking a teacher colleague at a vocational college back in 1990 how he came to acquire the scars on his face and arms. He answered it was at a Khon Kaen Silk Festival concert a few years before, when some idiot lobbed a grenade into the crowd for a bit of fun. Result: a few people killed and loads injured. Since then, I've read this kind of thing happening with almost annual regularity, whether it's at a Carabao concert or temple morlam bash, somebody seems to carry in a lethal weapon or two. That's why there's often military posted at entrances to do stop and search, as well as the usual plethora of cops, in plain clothes and uniform. However, like Glastonbury in the good old days, it's all too easy to slip in undetected to the concert carrying guns, grenades, knives, etc. Guess it means security will just have to be upped at these events....................

Edited February 1, 2009 by plachon

[george]

Update:

Nong Bua Lamphu bomb death toll rises to 8

Nong Bua Lamphu: -- The death toll in the gang rivalry attack at a concert here rose to eight, police said, adding that more than 100 people were injured.

Police Colonel Thammachak Khongmongkhon, superintendent of Sribunruang Station said the bomb blast was caused by M26 grenade that was used by a group of young men, quarrelling with another group.

Uthen Boonmee, a 20-year-old man was arrested for hurling the bomb in the temple fair, while Somkid Wangsridee, 31, was arrested for possessing the bomb.

Somkid said he spent Bt500 to buy it from his friend in Loei's Phakhao district.

It was expected that around 2,000 people went to celebrate at the temple fair when the bomb explosion.

-- The Nation 2009-02-01

[noahvail]

Update:

Nong Bua Lamphu bomb death toll rises to 8

Nong Bua Lamphu: -- The death toll in the gang rivalry attack at a concert here rose to eight, police said, adding that more than 100 people were injured.

Police Colonel Thammachak Khongmongkhon, superintendent of Sribunruang Station said the bomb blast was caused by M26 grenade that was used by a group of young men, quarrelling with another group.

Uthen Boonmee, a 20-year-old man was arrested for hurling the bomb in the temple fair, while Somkid Wangsridee, 31, was arrested for possessing the bomb.

Somkid said he spent Bt500 to buy it from his friend in Loei's Phakhao district.

It was expected that around 2,000 people went to celebrate at the temple fair when the bomb explosion.

-- The Nation 2009-02-01

Hmmm...perhaps the Nation should make a few more phone calls. I'm told by a nurse friend that three of the injured - "none seriously" - have died at hospital, bringing the death toll to ten. I'm told that the toll of injured is 112, and that four different hospitals responded in crisis mode. Beyond that, there was only speculation that the young person was in the army and had brought the device with him. Speculation only... I'll be interested to see how it all plays out.

But for the dead and injured, and all their families, my sincere condolences. It's a terrible thing to have happen.

[Briggsy]

Thailand has always had a very high murder rate. The ease of obtaining war weapons, weak law enforcement and a tendency towards 'permanent' solutions in settling conflicts are some of the main reasons. Violent fights resulting in murders are commonplace at upcountry fairs and concerts.

The high level of fatalities in this case is unusual though will not raise too many eyebrows amongst the locals who have become jaded to endless murder stories in the local press.

In addition, the fact that the victims do not carry status in the Thai (feudal) seniority system means the event will be forgotten within the week.

[dynabob]

LOS=LAND OF SAVAGE'S

[Sabum]

Hey, who needs terrorists when you have young Thai men willing to bomb large groups of people FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHATSOEVER. Oh, "he looked at me funny".

[noahvail]

Hey, who needs terrorists when you have young Thai men willing to bomb large groups of people FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHATSOEVER. Oh, "he looked at me funny".

The high level of fatalities in this case is unusual though will not raise too many eyebrows amongst the locals who have become jaded to endless murder stories in the local press.

In addition, the fact that the victims do not carry status in the Thai (feudal) seniority system means the event will be forgotten within the week.

'no reason whatsoever' ... Just me thinking a bit, but that sounds a wee bit - uhmmm - like coming to a conclusion without the facts. Making a comparison to terrorism might be considered a bit unkind - or maybe not. Word up here in the barbarian provinces is that this stemmed from a dispute between two families and their employment by local government. Not fact, of course, but that's the word on the street. And yes, they're actually talking about paving the streets up here next year.

It's an interesting opinion that too many eyebrows will not be raised by the recent unfortunate occurrence. My opinion, from talking with a bunch of people around here, is that many will not go to festivals any more - and they are deeply saddened to say so, because festivals have been a way for many folks for many, many years. And while the 'mainstream' press, one of whom has recently linked with TV, may forget about this tragedy quickly, the people around here - many of whom are related, albeit distantly, to the dead or injured - will talk of this for years to come.

Just an opinion, of course...slightly different from your opinion, and not intended to flame or irritate.

[chuckd]

My Thai wife wanted to attend this festival in NBL.

I managed to dissuade her. We are both happier for having missed the performance.

[JoeThePoster]

Hey, who needs terrorists when you have young Thai men willing to bomb large groups of people FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHATSOEVER. Oh, "he looked at me funny".

That's about the same as those thrill-seekers hurling rocks at motorists on the Bang Pa-in highway.