Four grenade attacks damage Bangkok Bank branches

[webfact]

Security for judges' homes, BBL branches

By The Nation

Police release sketch of attacker after grenade blasts

BANGKOK: -- Security has been provided at the homes of nine Supreme Court judges, who ruled on the partial seizure of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's assets, and at many Bangkok Bank branches across the country following grenade attacks at four of the banks on Saturday.

In addition to all Bangkok Bank branches in 38 provinces where anti-government red shirts have announced rallies on March 14, the 14 specific branches in Bangkok are also under police watch.

Police released a sketch of one attacker seen by witnesses. The man in his 20s was seen throwing a grenade while riding pillion on a motorcycle at the Bangkok Bank Silom branch, off Soi Silom 19, before fleeing.

Acting national police chief Patheep Tanprasert said the four grenade attacks were carried out using M67 grenades, which could not be "easily obtained by ordinary people".

Security has also been provided at the homes of other important people whom the officer did not identify.

Pol Maj-General Anant Srihiran, a senior investigator probing the attacks, said he believed there was a planning in the four attacks, but they were not carried out by "professionals".

"Only two of the grenades went off. The safety clip of one grenade was not removed, and the lever of another was bound by sticky tape," he added.

Bangkok Bank vice CEO Decha Tulanant said a draft policy allowing bank clerks not to wear uniforms to work took immediate effect after the attacks. The issue was tabled as the red shirts rallied outside BBL's head office earlier this month. A meeting on BBL security measures will be held today, he added.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called on the public not to panic over the four grenade attacks, saying they were carried out by a group who wanted to cause disturbances. He said it was too early to say the attacks relating to the Bangkok Bank were meant as a symbolic threat to Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda.

Asked how he could give the public an assurance of safety or confidence when police made little progress on two previous bomb attacks on the Army headquarters and a teachers' college near Government House, Abhisit said: "We have the footage of one of the attacks on Saturday night, and police will work with that evidence. Some [of the attacks] should be solved later on," he added.

He said police were identifying fingerprints on the two unexploded grenades and following up on other leads to find out who carried out the attacks. "There is something linking the attackers. They work as a team through coordination, as their targets were all Bangkok Bank branches, and they used the same type of grenades," he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he took action within 15 minutes after the first grenade went off at around 9pm. "I am sure that those behind the attacks will be caught, judging from the fingerprints we have, and another tipoff that the attackers were hired to carry out the four attacks using Honda Click motorcycles in their operations," he said.

The Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) and its core leaders denied their involvement behind the grenade attacks. Nattawuk Saikua condemned the attacks and said both DAAD leaders and red shirts would never use violence to fight for their cause.

Jatuporn Promphan said the Army commander and the national police chief should be held responsible and face investigation because the grenades used in the attacks were war weapons and possessed only by the military or police.

Arismant Pongruenrong said there were men travelling from Prachuap Khiri Khan in 50 buses to Bangkok on Saturday night without being stopped at checkpoints. "I would like to offer my observation whether these men were sent to Bangkok to carry out the attacks or other violence."

-- The Nation 2010-03-01

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[tominbkk]

How can we know that this has anything to do with the court case? Maybe someone has a beef with BB, and it's not related to Thaksin?

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Clearly that's not what any relevant party is looking for. If you're interested, there are websites out there that list Red Shirt goals.

Yes, there are.

A good place to start is to Google "Red Siam Manifesto" by red shirt Giles Ji Ungpakorn which provides insight into some of the goals of Red Shirts, especially #4 of his stated goals list.

It also will provide insight into why so many Thais are against the red shirts.

As I said before, there is a wide variety of causes and I think it would be fair to say that Giles is on the very fringe. The man is basically a communist. If you readily dismiss what a large section of the population is thinking based on the opinions of a fringe character then you're pretty much passing up on a wider understanding of the issues.

BTW I think linking (even veiled linking though suggesting a Google search) of that material is frowned upon on this forum. (Not 100% sure)

[ThaksinKharma]

As long as the Reds have people like Seh Daeng, Jakrapob, Giles et al as part of their so-called movement, they won't be viable.

When the Reds are just a compilation of the "fringe", it speaks as to where their priorities lie.

[ableguy]

Its another happy new Red dawn courtesy of The People revolution rising for The People, the People's revolution party speaking for The People etc. hoo~ray.

Shame about the innocent bystanders who always end up getting blown to bits eventually, but I suppose they are not The People, just 'some people' or 'remains of people'. Nurses and doctors and gravediggers are people too, and they get more work thanks to The People Party. Hiphip for the Reds.

I don't care what anybody says,my opinion: Thaksin is a monster because he stirs up embers & tries to create infernos. I think he should have $0 & life in jail. That People Power for the rural poor thing is BS, there's urban poor too & they get bombed because that clown Thaksin has turned disagreements into bombs, and turned people on their friends.

You are not alone my friend in thinking this way, well said

[Ricardo]

I think a fairly held general election would do more to defuse the situation and stop the violence than anything. But will the military and Bangkok elite ever respect the will of the people? That is the question.

One can only look to history, when the military accepted the results of the December-2007 elections, for the answer to your question. They may not have liked the result, but they did accept it, didn't they.

How can we know that this has anything to do with the court case? Maybe someone has a beef with BB, and it's not related to Thaksin?

True, but you should remember, the Red-Shirts have a 'beef' with this particular bank, and had been demonstrating there only a week or so earlier. I don't recall the PAD ever protesting outside Bangkok Bank, recently or in the more-distant past ?

Not conclusive evidence, but suggestive. Just as the fact that Seh Daeng's former-driver was recently found to have his own private stock of grenades, might suggest that it's not only the police & military who have access to these weapons.

At least the hot-heads involved didn't seem to wish to cause any innocent casualties.

[IvanDobsky]

Gentleman, You can question the legitimacy of the Shinawatra government all you want but the facts are the facts. PM Shinawatra was the democratically elected Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 until 2006 when he was illegally and unconstitutionally overthrown by the Thai Military. Until that time he was the leader of the TRT party and thus the Thai government and people. You wanted help on the history of the election results? Thai Rak Thai won 248 seats in parliament (more than any other party previously) Thaksin opted for a broad coalition, assimilating both the Chart Thai Party (forty-one seats) and the New Aspiration Party (thirty-six seats) as well as absorbing the smaller Seritham Party (fourteen). Thaksin succeeded in assuming a dominant position in almost every aspect of party politics and government. His cabinet became the first democratically elected government in Thailand's history that survived a full legislative term. Contrary to the unstable multi-party coalition cabinets of the pre- and post Thaksin era, his government provided political continuity. You try to cast doubt on his sweeping win and mandate and question that he won decisively? His re-election in 2005 had the highest voter turnout in Thai history. I am just stating the facts I am not praising him. It wouldn't be allowed on this or any other web site in Thailand. The fact that it's ok to denigrate and criticize Thaksin but not ok to offer supporting information speaks volumes in an of itself. There is nothing I need to add.

Nice font. Copied and pasted on a few sites? Try using paragraphs next time. It sounds like less of a rant that way.

Interesting use of the word 'absorb'. Maybe you could have used 'bought'.

"There is nothing I need to add. "

au contraire. You forgot to mention the war on drugs, the disaster(s) in the three southern provinces, the manacling of the anti-corruption agencies, the silencing of critical voices, the merging/purchasing with/of other political parties, the vote-buying, the court actions against journalists, asset concealment, tax avoidance, ad infinitum, ad nauseum

he had some good points, notably OTOP and the 30 baht health care scheme but to ignore the negatives is to ignore the truth

[RegularReader]

Exploding grenades and broken glass in bank buildings simply damages the image of Thailand and distracts attention from the root problem of an un-elected government that continues to cling to power. The present group has shown us all (by having their surrogates occupy Government House and closing the airports) what lengths they will go to obtaining that position of power.

I think the former prime minister has no future in Thai politics and he needs to accept the millions he has now and move on with his life.

I think a fairly held general election would do more to defuse the situation and stop the violence than anything. But will the military and Bangkok elite ever respect the will of the people? That is the question.

Although I can't agree with your assertion that the former PM has no roll in the future of the government. I can address your question regarding the likelihood of the "Elite" respecting the common man. Again, it is sectors of the Bangkok elite that ascribe themselves the right to overrule the electoral legitimacy created by the great majority of rural (and 2001 and 2005 even the Bangkok) voters. The underlying justification is aptly put by one of Thaksin's critics, Roj Ngarm-maen, a famous journalist who writes in Thai Post under his penname Plaew Si-ngern: 'The lower classes are underprivileged and passive. They are not allowed to think. If you want to say that the rural people vote for a government while the middle class ousts it, then that may be right. Society must be propelled by the middle classes. The lower classes are just followers. Look at any dictator, be it Thanom [Kittikachorn], Prapas [Charusathien] or Suchinda [Kraprayoon], and you’ll find that the rural folk put up no opposition' (The Nation, 24 December 2005). With a collective mind set like this from the "Elites" there is little hope they will respect any democratic election they haven't rigged or don't agree with.

You make some good points, obviously from a position of knowledge.

What I often find lacking with many of the more "well informed" commentators, is much discussion on the merits of large sections of "the lower classes" (your term), continuing to support Thaksin and/or use him, as their focal/rallying point.

It would also be useful to hear your thoughts about what role Thaksin might play in any future governments.

Edited March 1, 2010 by RegularReader

[ballpoint]

Also I can't personally support the Reds while a couple lunatics like Seh Daeng are running around doing their thing. They're as mad as the Yellows.)

Actually that should be much more so. There was never anyone in the yellow group that came anywhere near a lunatic as the Red Seh Daeng.

They had one who is, in my opinion, potentially far more dangerous; Gen. Pinmalee Panlop. However, his threats of violence were forbidden by the rest of the PAD leadership, so he left in disgust and... joined the reds. It speaks volumes that the red leadership, even the ones who profess to not be in it for Thaksin, allowed his entry, and tolerated his, and Seh Daeng's "threats" and "predictions" of violence. It also speaks volumes that Seh Daeng unilaterally decided to become a red leader, and not one of the current leaders, again, not even those claiming to be not in it for Thaksin, spoke out against it.

[ovaltina]

Thaksin was the last democratically elected Prime Minister, and elected by a wide margin in almost every Province

There's an old saying, most elections are not about 'voting somebody in', they are about 'voting somebody out'. As regards Thaksin being forced out by the military, I am often reminded of that old saying.

How exactly do you 'vote out of power' a convicted grand-fraudster & egomaniac? They kicked him out because he's a slippery & guilty criminal, and holds onto power like a dog with lock-jaw sickness.

Surely the fact that he stole $ billions from a poor developing economy sort of undermines your Robin Hood helping-the-poor image of him, and even now that he still has lots of money in hs bank account & his freedom, he still craves return to to power. This is the mark of egomania.

His followers,military generals and the People's Army marching etc. ; this is not his "democratic" re-election surely?

My new home is in Samutprakarn area, and while I wasn't affected by that bomb per-se, it still saddens me deeply. I'm a handicapped woman, I hate violence and I think bombs achieve nothing, fullstop.

xxx

[SomchaiFuhlang]

"Current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government had predicted unrest after the court ruling on Thaksin's wealth."

This incredible precognitive insight is without peer and could only have been mastered by studying at the most prestigious Ivy League universites that England has to offer! I am so impressed!!!

Amazing ability to predict the future I'm thinking! If there isn't any violence after the decision maybe breaking some glass and positioning some soldiers at the MRT entrances will make us look "in charge of the situation" for the evening news?

I wish only peace and a fairly elected government for the Thai people. They seem to have neither at the moment.

The 'Ivy League' universities are in the USA. Perhaps you mean Oxford?

A prediction of unrest could have been made by a Matteyum One student after the attacks on the yellows and the Songkran riots.

Peace, a fairly elected and corruption free government, a political party to represent the middle ground between the angry rhetoric of two mobs. An exiled politician that says one thing and then sticks to it. People who disagree about politics not resorting to violence. That would all be nice but don't hold your breath.

In the old days the term 'Ivy League' universities did only pertain to the very prestigious eight Northeastern area universities in the United States. Over time, however, the term has evolved to include any elite universities. Here's a quote from Wikipedia: "Ivy League schools are often viewed by the public as some of the most prestigious universities worldwide and are often ranked amongst the best universities in the United States and worldwide." Here's the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_League.

I believe that Oxford definitely fits the bill. And you're right that anyone, even a "Matteyum One student", could have seen it coming. The problem is the top guy hasn't always predicted the unrest, or at least the severity of the unrest. The 2009 ASEAN Summit catastrophe is a shining example of post-cognitive skill.

[timi2546]

nuke ´ém

:D

[thaiedward]

Thaksin was the last democratically elected Prime Minister, and elected by a wide margin in almost every Province

Hard to believe!

It depends on how you define "democracy"

Yes I think you're right.

So far as I am able to remember, etymology suggests the Graecian root meant "Rule of Many."

Things can always change.

[webfact]

Puea Thai shrugs off bomb incident near its HQ

BANGKOK: -- (NNT) – The opposition Puea Thai Party has voiced no concern with sounds of a bomb-like explosion or fire cracker explosion which recently took place at the opposite side of its own head office on Rama IV Road during Sunday night.

Puea Thai Party Deputy Leader Plodprasop Suraswadi admitted that he did not know details about the recent bombing incident near the Puea Thai Party Headquarters. However, no important documents were contained in the office and there was not much to be concerned about.

The party deputy leader added that security guards were performing their duties all the time; therefore, there is no need to make any special measures. He also believed that police officers must also help watch over security as well.

Countering the ruling Democrat Party, Mr Plodprasop stressed that the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) had no reason to incite any situation in the country. He believed that the UDD did not want the government to enforce the Internal Security Act or impede their political mass rally on 14 March 2010; therefore, he asked all sides to avoid making any groundless accusations.

-- NNT 2010-03-01

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[elcent]

How can we know that this has anything to do with the court case? Maybe someone has a beef with BB, and it's not related to Thaksin?

You seem to be close to the point. It looks like a classical in-fight amongst the elite and to create a situation so to blame others. BB is very well known for having it's fingers in many suspicious trades.

[Sabre]

They have been around for donkey's years, and millions were left behind when the yanks lost their war in Nam.

Ah that should be the United States, South Korea, South Vietnam, France, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand - and before any statements of irrelevancy South Korea alone sent 320,000 soldiers to Vietnam.

Yes Australia's commitment peak at less than 8000 troops but we lost pretty good too : )

Actually it was my understanding (and of course I wasn't there but I have a mate who was, but he of course is probably biased) that the Australians were relatively successful at controlling their patch.

[Sabre]

They have been around for donkey's years, and millions were left behind when the yanks lost their war in Nam.

Ah that should be the United States, South Korea, South Vietnam, France, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand - and before any statements of irrelevancy South Korea alone sent 320,000 soldiers to Vietnam.

Yes Australia's commitment peak at less than 8000 troops but we lost pretty good too : )

Actually it was my understanding (and of course I wasn't there but I have a mate who was, but he of course is probably biased) that the Australians were relatively successful at controlling their patch.

[ballpoint]

Puea Thai shrugs off bomb incident near its HQ

... However, no important documents were contained in the office and there was not much to be concerned about...

Glad they have their priorities right. Who cares if people were there or not, as long as the documents are safe. W*nkers.

[animatic]

As long as the Reds have people like Seh Daeng, Jakrapob, Giles et al as part of their so-called movement, they won't be viable.

When the Reds are just a compilation of the "fringe", it speaks as to where their priorities lie.

Quite so.

A compilation of competing ideologies all hoping to end up top dog of things go pear shaped.

Fringe and beyond in several cases, and this being the mindsets cobbled together to give

Thaksin's pressure street group some numbers, speaks rather poorly to it actually having a

coherence of message or aims other than power.

In many ways it mirrors or parallels the TRT coalition of 2005.

a bunch of smaller parties and regional power brokers sublimating their parties names

into 'TRT Factions" to jump onm the gravey train, and as soon as it was so rich in gravy

they went back to their own ways.

[tombkk]

Is there someway TV can return to civility and rational discussions?

No, there isn't.

(scnr)

[elcent]

Clearly that's not what any relevant party is looking for. If you're interested, there are websites out there that list Red Shirt goals.

Yes, there are.

A good place to start is to Google "Red Siam Manifesto" by red shirt Giles Ji Ungpakorn which provides insight into some of the goals of Red Shirts, especially #4 of his stated goals list.

It also will provide insight into why so many Thais are against the red shirts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Ji_Ungpakorn This guy has nothing to do with the plea of the common red shirts. He's a self declared Marxist. Even he wrote a book, but this doesn't entitle him to speak for common folks. He's more like Thaksin, an opportunist on other peoples' expenses. So please, chose your arguments wisely.

[khaowong1]

Thai TV is now saying there were 4 grenade attacks last night. 2 exploded and 2 failed.

Going by the pictures for one of the failed grenades, a policeman was wrapping tape around it (either brave or stupid as he was not in any protective gear). Looks like the safety lever did not release and he was making sure it wouldn't release later. Possibly an old grenade or one thrown by someone who doesn't know how to use them?

Still it's amazing how Thai police control a crime scene. Looked like everyman and his dog where there hunched over the grenade with no exclusion zone and reporters happliy snapping pictures. So much for keeping a crime zone clean. Suprised they weren't poking it with a stick or hitting it with a hammer.

[khaowong1]

Why Bangkok Bank? Is there a connection to Thaksin's seized money?

Whoever did this, isn't this terrorism?

why does everything now adays have to be terrorism? how about somebody just ticked off at the powers that be?

[khaowong1]

Why Bangkok Bank? Is there a connection to Thaksin's seized money?

The answer may be in here.. http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.co...-bank-and-lies/

hmmm.. interesting article.. is there really any doubt the the very rich control Thailand, similar the very rich controlling most countries in the world including the U.S.?

[khaowong1]

I would post my thoughts but I'm about to step out for some drinks in Silom - will post when I get back.

please dont report back that global warming had something to do with this.

[khaowong1]

please dont report back that global warming had something to do with this.

I think this may have something to do with global warming.

[animatic]

Clearly that's not what any relevant party is looking for. If you're interested, there are websites out there that list Red Shirt goals.

Yes, there are.

A good place to start is to Google "Red Siam Manifesto" by red shirt Giles Ji Ungpakorn which provides insight into some of the goals of Red Shirts, especially #4 of his stated goals list.

It also will provide insight into why so many Thais are against the red shirts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Ji_Ungpakorn This guy has nothing to do with the plea of the common red shirts. He's a self declared Marxist. Even he wrote a book, but this doesn't entitle him to speak for common folks. He's more like Thaksin, an opportunist on other peoples' expenses. So please, chose your arguments wisely

Well other than him making several speeches from Red Shirt stages,

yeah, he has nothing to do with the common red shirts... right.

He is a Uni bred, classic arch leftist, intellectual, but maybe from Marx inspired guilt,

or need for PR or whatever, he has identified himself clearly with the common red shirts

to the point of trying to codify their platform in his ultra Marxist mindset.

Ironic he has split to another monarch topped nation after slagging the one here....

No doubt he is on some UK MI6 watch list as potentially dangerous rabble rouse.

He is much closer in parallels to Abhisit than Thaksin actually.

They both read UK uni texts

BUT ABHISIT READ PRACTICAL TOMES ON GOVERNANCE, while Giles ignored the practical

fall of Marxism world wide, and stayed in the failed mindset of neo-post Marxist thought.

Apparently just enough intellectual steam in his engine to hang himself up to dry,

but not enough to actually alter the game for the better... Sad man needing the likes of Thaksin

and his money to get press for his retro-ineffectual ideological theories..

So which one is being the success in life? Clearly the practical

'gradually change things for the better with minimal disruption' mindest', of 'Marks',

versus Giles peoples revolution hang the elite and back the good proletariot taking all control, of 'Marx'...

which has never proved more than a route to an ideology driven, monotheistic, elite taking control

till it dies of old age, and is replaced gradually and more slowly, with real practical thinkers....

Edited March 2, 2010 by animatic

[jdinasia]

Giles has certainly been on stage with the reds and posed with the red leadership. Sae Daeng is still taking center stage at many red events and wasn't the gathering at Sanam Luang most recently using "Red Siam" as a group name and on their backdrop?

[webfact]

UPDATE

PM Discloses Underground Anti-Government Movement

BANGKOK: -- The Prime Minister has asked the public to be patient while the investigation into the recent grenade attacks is being conducted.

He also repudiated claims that the government has blacklisted many members of the opposition party.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva talked about the ongoing investigation into the recent grenade attacks that occurred last Saturday.

The prime minister said that it could take some time before the culprit behind the attacks is brought to justice.

Meanwhile, Abhisit also asked that everyone stop circulating rumors aimed at inciting anti-government sentiments.

There have been some rumors circulating that the government has blacklisted 212 members from the opposition and is prepared to use to violence against the Red-Shirt group.

The Prime Minister said that such rumors are false.

Abhisit also stated that the Red-Shirts has the right to organize rallies as long as they act within the law.

However, it is necessary for the government to keep a close eye on them as to prevent some small group of people from using violence.

Abhisit admitted that he has received some reports of an underground anti-government movement.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Personal Spokesperson, Thepthai Senphong has challenged Pheu Thai Party's Spokesperson, Prompong Nopparit to produce proof regarding the rumors.

The Democrat Party's Spokesperson, Buranat Samutharak pointed out that he never said that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was behind the attacks, as was claimed by Noppadol Pattama, a legal adviser to Thaksin.

He has also expressed confidence that the police will be able to apprehend those responsible for the attacks soon.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-02

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Deeral]

Why Bangkok Bank? Is there a connection to Thaksin's seized money?

The answer may be in here.. http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.co...-bank-and-lies/

hmmm.. interesting article.. is there really any doubt the the very rich control Thailand, similar the very rich controlling most countries in the world including the U.S.?

the divide between rich and poor - distribution of wealth - in Thailand is the biggest in the region.......with a burgeoning industrialised society this cannot be sustained without conflict.