Two Bomb Attacks Rocks Bangkok, Nonthaburi

[george]

Defence Ministry attacked by grenade

A grenade was fired at the Defence Ministry's head office at 11 pm Saturday.

The bomb was fired at the ministry from the side of Assadang Road, which is about 30 metres from the Mahadthai Intersection.

The blast damaged windows and ceiling.

A source said a soldier was injured.

NACC head office hit by bomb attack

An assailant hurled a grenade at the head office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Saturday night.

The attack happened at 9:50 pm. No one was injured.

The new NACC head office is located on the Sanam Binnam Road.

The bomb landed on the park inside the compound and caused a 30-cm-wide hole.

-- The Nation 2010-03-20

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[animatic]

So fighting corruption is a bad thing... nice attitude

[londonthai]

I would imagine it's a set up by the blue/black shirts, after a peaceful and successful week of protests.

the hardliners left the reds a few days ago and there are prospects of talks with the government - some third party is scared the opposition will get some concessions.

yesterday there were leaks that provocation is going to happen during today's demos - because it was made public and in all mass media, they did not dare to execute their plan, instead they did it nightime. More difficult to be cought red handed.

political change will come democratically through the ballot box - a lot of authoritarian and violent forces are getting afraid power is slipping off from their hands

Edited March 20, 2010 by londonthai

[Sunderland]

I do not wish to condone the attacks, but why do the local media persist with these daft headlines?

To most of the English speaking world bombs suggest devices which are detonated remotely, not thrown over a gate or at a wall. I believe the word usually used is 'grenades'.

Sorry to ruffle feathers but I live in Bangkok and the in-laws live in Nonthaburi. None of us felt any kind of rocking sensation.

Shame that the media don't focus a lot more on the 'bomb' attacks that actually rock the lives of many people in southern Thailand on a daily basis.

[Publicus]

The other attacks of recent days continue to appear unconnected and unrelated. These now are connected and related. While I must invoke the old mantra that we need more information, I do know that his stinks to the high heavens. I'm confident Abhisit and his government isn't involved.

Most protesters dump red paint when they want to make their point or to send a message. Using human blood to state their position literally is bizarre. I don't like any of this.

[Tony121]

Qoute " I would imagine it's a set up by the blue/black shirts, after a peaceful and successful week of protests"

Sure it wasn't the green/oranges ?

[Jingthing]

The reds, I presume.

[elcent]

This is probably the prelude. Stay vigilant.

[Publicus]

Who benefits or could gain from this?

Not the government because the last thing the government needs is violence. Witness how the government bent over backwards during the Reds sweetheart gatherings of the past week and weekend.

The military just is not coup minded because 1) it really doesn't want to be running the government at such a time and 2) it's not so shameless any more about rolling out the tanks, especially given it would be twice in the past four years.

Thaksin needs a game changing program of active disruption, chaos and disorder, as do the Reds who I still believe are hardly content to return home after their supposedly climactic trip to the big city and their return home to conduct their 'normal' lives for the rest of the year till the next election. However, the Reds actions in Bangkok were anti-climatic. Their leaders going rogue to commit these actions would be a definition of desperation and self-defeating.

Blue shirts? For what? If the blue shirts were behind this the government and the military would smoke them out for identification and ostracization, perhaps legal action. If the blues would be hoping to bring down the government, or to make the Reds appear the culprits, they'd truely be actiing out of confusion and self delusion.

The government, the military, along with many of us at TVF should however continue to be braced for anything. Yes, vigilant.

[hextac]

The reds, I presume.

That goes without saying...

[hextac]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

[hextac]

Who benefits or could gain from this?

Not the government because the last thing the government needs is violence. Witness how the government bent over backwards during the Reds sweetheart gatherings of the past week and weekend.

The military just is not coup minded because 1) it really doesn't want to be running the government at such a time and 2) it's not so shameless any more about rolling out the tanks, especially given it would be twice in the past four years.

Thaksin needs a game changing program of active disruption, chaos and disorder, as do the Reds who I still believe are hardly content to return home after their supposedly climactic trip to the big city and their return home to conduct their 'normal' lives for the rest of the year till the next election. However, the Reds actions in Bangkok were anti-climatic. Their leaders going rogue to commit these actions would be a definition of desperation and self-defeating.

Blue shirts? For what? If the blue shirts were behind this the government and the military would smoke them out for identification and ostracization, perhaps legal action. If the blues would be hoping to bring down the government, or to make the Reds appear the culprits, they'd truely be actiing out of confusion and self delusion.

The government, the military, along with many of us at TVF should however continue to be braced for anything. Yes, vigilant.

You shame me grasshopper.

[Jingthing]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

They have some violent factions. No mystery there.

[Briggsy]

The reds are changing to their image to a peaceful one to gain more popular support.

It would benefit their opponents to send a couple of foot soldiers to bizarrely hurl bombs into car parks (What's the point of that??) to discredit the red's attempt to change the public's perception of them.

[Thailand]

The reds are changing to their image to a peaceful one to gain more popular support.

It would benefit their opponents to send a couple of foot soldiers to bizarrely hurl bombs into car parks (What's the point of that??) to discredit the red's attempt to change the public's perception of them.

Agreed, this smells of a huge discredit operation. The reds have done a good job of maintaining peace, obviously some factions do not like it.

[KhaoNiaw]

It doesn't have to be the Reds on the streets. Thaksin will want to keep all his options open, and there's no reason to believe he isn't still relying on all factions of his support. It's pointless for him if any compromise or any subsequent election doesn't bring him any closer to a return and money back. So he needs to keep all avenues open. The lunatic fringe are just letting people know they're around.

[moresomekl]

The reds, I presume.

That goes without saying...

I am not pro Thaksin but you better have some proof before making accusations

[Dodobird]

I do not wish to condone the attacks, but why do the local media persist with these daft headlines?

To most of the English speaking world bombs suggest devices which are detonated remotely, not thrown over a gate or at a wall. I believe the word usually used is 'grenades'.

Sorry to ruffle feathers but I live in Bangkok and the in-laws live in Nonthaburi. None of us felt any kind of rocking sensation.

Shame that the media don't focus a lot more on the 'bomb' attacks that actually rock the lives of many people in southern Thailand on a daily basis.

perhaps some people from the "english" speaking world do not know the existence of ping-pong bombs

[Credo]

There are a number of options:

1. Some groups may want the ISA to remain in effect.

2. Some groups may want to discredit the reds rather peaceful and successful rally.

The problem with Thailand is that it is hard to keep a firm grip on people in any group. I doubt that Abhisit would condone this, but does he firmly control the military? I doubt the reds would want this, but do they control the fringe sectors? And then there are other colors who may want to stir things up.

A little too complicated to lay at anyones feet without more information.

[Dodobird]

There are a number of options:

1. Some groups may want the ISA to remain in effect.

2. Some groups may want to discredit the reds rather peaceful and successful rally.

The problem with Thailand is that it is hard to keep a firm grip on people in any group. I doubt that Abhisit would condone this, but does he firmly control the military? I doubt the reds would want this, but do they control the fringe sectors? And then there are other colors who may want to stir things up.

A little too complicated to lay at anyones feet without more information.

First you must know who is the puppeteer hidden from the audience, hence...

[Wolfie]

The reds, I presume.

That goes without saying...

We will never know who it was, all this speculation is purely for our own entertainment...

However, saying that, i suspect its this Sae Dang fella is involved, The Reds recently disassociated themselves from him, freeing him up to wage the war he wants without disrupting the Reds 'Peaceful' protests. If i were Chief of Police, him and his cronies would certainly be high on my list of suspects...

[granuaile]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

Actually such a two-pronged push would not be out of reason. Just as the IRA and the INLA in Ireland had both a clandestine military wing and a more open political wing (Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Socialist Party respectively).

It is neither irrational or a bad strategy if one supports their agenda. Despite all the smiling faces yesterday (and I took nearly 400 photos) a friend of mine who is in a Northeastern province and a redshirt supporter told me if I came to that area and said I liked Abhisit and the dems I don't leave alive. So all the smiles, waves, and peacefulness of yesterday's rally may be very superficial. Also, for my friend it is all about Thaksin.

[webfact]

UPDATE

Blast outside Defence Ministry

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A bomb launched from an M79 last night exploded in front of a shophouse next to the Defence Ministry's headquarters in Bangkok, injuring a garbage collector who was working nearby.

Another explosive was last night thrown into the new offices of the National Anti-Corruption Commission in Nonthaburi province, which are still under construction.

-- The Nation 2010-03-21

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Americanperspective]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

Actually such a two-pronged push would not be out of reason. Just as the IRA and the INLA in Ireland had both a clandestine military wing and a more open political wing (Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Socialist Party respectively).

It is neither irrational or a bad strategy if one supports their agenda. Despite all the smiling faces yesterday (and I took nearly 400 photos) a friend of mine who is in a Northeastern province and a redshirt supporter told me if I came to that area and said I liked Abhisit and the dems I don't leave alive. So all the smiles, waves, and peacefulness of yesterday's rally may be very superficial. Also, for my friend it is all about Thaksin.

A hired mob of ill informed, largely uneducated, insular, zenophobic provinchals - not really a very enlighted crowd are they? ! Tak Sin's cornpone rent-a-mob What a joke! It's not country and I really don't care eighter way but I am leaning yellow more everyday!

[Thailand]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

Actually such a two-pronged push would not be out of reason. Just as the IRA and the INLA in Ireland had both a clandestine military wing and a more open political wing (Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Socialist Party respectively).

It is neither irrational or a bad strategy if one supports their agenda. Despite all the smiling faces yesterday (and I took nearly 400 photos) a friend of mine who is in a Northeastern province and a redshirt supporter told me if I came to that area and said I liked Abhisit and the dems I don't leave alive. So all the smiles, waves, and peacefulness of yesterday's rally may be very superficial. Also, for my friend it is all about Thaksin.

Seems a bit extreme for expressing an opinion.

[Americanperspective]

30K Reds are peacefully protesting in Bangkok, so it makes sense that they would send a couple of guys to throw a grenade at some none-target in Nonthaburi...

Actually such a two-pronged push would not be out of reason. Just as the IRA and the INLA in Ireland had both a clandestine military wing and a more open political wing (Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Socialist Party respectively).

It is neither irrational or a bad strategy if one supports their agenda. Despite all the smiling faces yesterday (and I took nearly 400 photos) a friend of mine who is in a Northeastern province and a redshirt supporter told me if I came to that area and said I liked Abhisit and the dems I don't leave alive. So all the smiles, waves, and peacefulness of yesterday's rally may be very superficial. Also, for my friend it is all about Thaksin.

A hired mob of ill informed, largely uneducated, insular, zenophobic provinchals - not really a very enlighted crowd are they? ! Tak Sin's cornpone rent-a-mob What a joke! It's not country and I really don't care eighter way but I am leaning yellow more everyday!

[Dodobird]

The ISA expired yesterday, hence the government intend to renew/extend the ISA for a period to be decided by the authority. However, with all the smiles, waves, and peacefulness of yesterday's rally it will be difficult for the government to do so. Therefore, someone has to create some violent to justify or warrant the extention.

Anybody who is in the frame of mind will not accused the Red...

Edited March 21, 2010 by Dodobird

[jdinasia]

The reds are changing to their image to a peaceful one to gain more popular support.

It would benefit their opponents to send a couple of foot soldiers to bizarrely hurl bombs into car parks (What's the point of that??) to discredit the red's attempt to change the public's perception of them.

Agreed, this smells of a huge discredit operation. The reds have done a good job of maintaining peace, obviously some factions do not like it.

By some factions, may we assume you mean Arisman, Sae Daeng, Panlop, K. Thong etc? And with only one of them out of commission right now .....?

[jamesjdaly]

When actual large bombs (not grenades) rock a city, you'll know about it, believe me! I lived through the provo campaign in Belfast for nearly 30 years and I have seen what firebombs, car bombs (warning and no warning) and RPGs can do. Whoever wrote this headline is a sensationalist idiot who hasn't a clue.

Google 'Oxford street bus bomb belfast 1972'.

Bloody Friday, 22 bombs went off in a city not much bigger than Chinag Mai. That rocked a city.

I know. I was there.

Pathetic.

[givenall]

The reds, I presume.

That goes without saying...

It is very hard not to think that Red and Thaksin’s people are involved. After all they have threatened and have done these sorts of things before. So what are we to believe; they want peaceful changes or changes by force even if majority of the Thailand don’t want their politics