At Least 10 Injured In Explosion In Front Of Big C Rajdamri

[souvenirdeparis]

Awful news. Best wishes for speedy recovery for all that were harmed.

+1 Terrible news, hope there are no permanent injuries to the harmed

one 'grieviously wounded' in such a report means he'sabout technically dead already.

I'm very depressed with this for all my Thaï family and friends in BKK and elsewhere.

It is already in the French news.

[whybother]

This is what is known as terrorism.

[george]

Update:

Police seal off attack scene on Rajdamri Road

BANGKOK: -- Police have sealed off an area in front of Big C Department Store on Rajdamri road following a bomb explosion at a bus stop there.

The blast injured nine people; one seriously wounded, waiting for their buses. Thawatchai Thongmark, 50, who is seriously injured was sent to Police Hospital while the other injured were sent to Chulalongkorn and Hua Chiew hospitals.

The explosion which went off at 5.51pm damaged the bus stop's roof. The site is opposite Central World shopping complex which is burnt down during the red-shirts riots in May.

Police have suspended traffic in front of the department to allow forensic officials to collect evidence.

Initial police investigation said the explosives contained in a garbage bag.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[Theo007]

Such a crime to set a bomb like this to deliberately injure innocent people who are such easy targets. Thailand is a beautiful country however if these problems are not soon solved it will be on the road to self destruction.

[webfact]

Nine wounded in bombing at Ratchaprasong bus stop

BANGKOK: -– Nine people were wounded in a bombing outside a Big C department store branch in Ratchadamri, closed since it was partially burned in the May violence.

The bomb exploded in trash at the bus stop across from Isetan Department Store, wounding nine people including seven men and two women. The injured were sent to nearby hospitals. Two of them were seriously wounded and two buses were damaged.

Access to Big C is not possible at the site, formerly one of the most crowded bus stops in the capital.

Pol Maj-Gen Anuchai Lekbumrung, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 5 and other police officers rushed to the scene. Police initially believed it was a remote-controlled bomb as a witness reported a sound of a working bomb circuit before the explosion.

The area was cordoned off for inspection to gather evidence. Nearby traders and vendors closed their shops and sidewalk stands for safety.

Four lanes of traffic from Ratchaprasong intersection to Pratunam intersection have been closed.

The bombing occurred as the state of emergency remains in place in the capital and other 15 provinces.

Imposed since April in response to the movement of the anti-government United Front United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the state of emergency was lifted earlier in eight provinces.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday morning said in his weekly TV and radio address that the emergency decree would be gradually lifted, adding that much of the public and some security-related agencies believe the decree is still needed because some areas remain infiltrated by anti-government elements.

Big C Ratchadamri, one of shopping complexes in Ratchaprasong, was forced to close about durng the UDD mass rally. The protesters occupied Ratchaprasong intersection from April 3 to May 19. The protest leaders ended the protest following a military operation which forced the demonstrators to abandon the site. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-07-25

[TheGhostWithin]

Usually those who commit terrorist acts brag about it. They want the notoriety. It's one of the reasons the acts are committed. The silence is strange, unless there has been an admission and the police are withholding the information.

When understanding the mindset of terrorism, and the fundamental motivations behind it you must consider several things. There are different types of terrorists and within those groups, there are subgroups. Individual groups often (but not always) have a repeated MO (Modus Operandi) which is their "signature" as such.

Take into account the Muslim resistance in the south, of which the Government still has no real idea who is pulling the strings - their signature MO is that of lack of confirmation of responsibility. What this does, is generates fear because we as humans naturally fear what we do not understand, and what we cannot see. If you do not know who is doing the bombing, it is less likely you will know where and when the next bomb will be. Security will find it harder to screen potential attackers and the likelihood of a successful attack thus increases. Thai people, who for the most part are peaceful and avoid conflict, naturally avoid the malls. Farang, who for the most part come to Thailand for shopping, and many to be honest for a little something else, are also likely to stay away. When you don’t know where the next bomb is going to be placed or when it will go off it has a lot more effect than if it is relatively known.

With the red shirt issues through April etc, most of the activity cantered in one area, and most Thais (and Farangs with half a brain.. I saw a few that felt it was their fight too, so have less than half) avoided that area to avoid conflict.

This is a strike designed to keep Thais at home - its voting season. This is an attack to stop Thais buying - Thailand is coming out of recession largely prolonged by the Red Demonstrations. A weak economy, with low turnout, gives the indications of a weak and underperforming government.

[IAMSOBAD]

This country is high on meth...drunk on whiskey...crime ridden streets...corrupt cops...alcoholic taxi operators...prostitutes...and mad bombers!

Amazing Thailand!!!!!

And they charge us at immigration to stay and spend our money. hel_l in a handbasket!

[Insight]

The smart money is on the reds. We all hope it won't escalate further but hope and 100 baht will get you a coffee at Starbucks.

Red shirts usually demo at Ratchaprasong of a Sunday (have for the past two weeks anyway). They switched to Lumpini park this weekend however. Smart move.

[george]

COMMENT

BIG C BOMB MUST NOT DISTRACT US

- By The Nation

We simply can't allow act of cowardice to throw us off course

People will talk about how the outcome of the Bangkok Constituency 6 by-election will impact Thai politics, how it will benefit or negatively affect the two main rival parties. And the bomb explosIon at the BIg C Department Store's RajdamrI branch early Sunday evening will provide more talking points.

Thais, however, have no luxury to be distracted. The real significance of Sunday is the fact that Thailand was attempting to return to peaceful democracy by holding the first democratic parliamentary election since the political turbulence in April and May. And we have no choice but to remain firmly on our course.

It is not a normal by-election from the beginning. One candidate could not campaign on the streets because he was a terrorist suspect who has had to stay behind bars. He has had to compete against a government candidate and naturally the fight was taken as a test of how the Bangkok public view what happened politically over the past few months. It was a bitter, emotionally charged campaign that seemed to reflect all the negativity about Thai politics at the moment.

But we had to start somewhere. What we needed to do was to rediscover the ability to perform the simplest democratic tasks. The Constituency 6 parliamentary vacancy gave us the opportunity to take that small first step after our fall to the rock bottom. It has not been a perfect new start - far from it - but even yesterday's Big C bomb must not send us off the track.

Of course, the relatively peaceful prelude to the poll does not represent a national tendency. The by-election involved Bangkok, where the red shirts have been pretty much contained and where the state of emergency remains in effect. What would it be like if this was an election in, say, Khon Kaen or Chiang Mai? Could Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva have been able to help his candidate campaign if this was an Udon Thani by-election? Or could the Pheu Thai Party have been able to set up stages if this was held in Surat Thani?

Yet we can only judge things when they happen in front of us. And from what we have seen regarding Bangkok's Constituency 6, we should be encouraged to take the next steps regardless of any act of cowardice intended to make us think otherwise. To go ahead requires contribution and sacrifice from both sides. The government must open its heart toward the growing calls for an end to the state of emergency where It's possIble to lift It, while the red shirts must make sure not to try to take advantage of the absence of the strict measures and defy law and order.

Rumours have been persistent about a new wave of violence, and the bomb incident will surely amplify them. The government's task is to overcome the fears and do everything possible to make sure a free and fair general election can take place as soon as possible. For the red shirts and the Pheu Thai Party, it must have become very obvious to them that for an election to come early as they always want, they will have to help build a conducive atmosphere.

We can only see it two ways. Either the Bangkok by-election - in which one candidate could only appear on front pages in prison uniform - is evidence of hopelessness, a clear sign that we haven't gone anywhere - or it provides a glimmer of hope. Some countries have seen worse, despite what some people are trying to say. Those countries have seen political prisoners fade into oblivion and their supporters pass on messages in the most secretive manner and nobody else ever seems to care.

Despite the unprecedented violence and divide, there are some things very "Thai" remaining about this crisis. We have no choice amid this prevailing desperation but try to see hope. If negative national characteristics have brought us here, maybe we must counter by employing the positive, unique ones to get ourselves out of it. Whether the by-election is a good effort or not, the only way to go is to keep on trying.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[jimmybhoy]

Hope the bomber rots in hel_l what ever the colour of his/her shirt. SCUM!!!

[personchester]

HEAR WE GO AGAIN IT WILL START ALL OVER AGAIN

HOW SAD FOR THAILAND AND IT'S PEOPLE

Please do us a favour and do not type entirely in capital letters, it's somewhat eye irritating, fortunately your reply was only a two liner.

[Just1Voice]

I'm surprised no one has pointed a finger at the Army. After all, from reports in both BP and Nation last week, the top military brass were DEAD SET AGAINST lifting the Emergency Decree. I'm not implying that they did it, but I also would not put it past them. Here's my "breakdown"

REDS - Did it out of anger and frustration, knowing they were losing the by-election. Not the Reds as a "whole", but a faction, or even just one person, among them.

DEMS - Had it done to maintain the E.D. for their own purposes.

MILITARY - Don't want E.D. lifted because of the power, and total immunity for their actions, that it gives them.

PAD - They are not happy with Abhist and Dems right now, and could have done it to further embarrass them, or even to try and implicate the Reds.

So, any one of those 4 could have done it for their own reasons. I have a feeling, although I could be wrong about this, that we will never really know who did it.

[hjvdhoef]

What affect will this have on the already badly hit tourist section?

I think this is just the beginning from these sick guys.

[rubl]

I'm surprised no one has pointed a finger at the Army. After all, from reports in both BP and Nation last week, the top military brass were DEAD SET AGAINST lifting the Emergency Decree. I'm not implying that they did it, but I also would not put it past them. Here's my "breakdown"

REDS - Did it out of anger and frustration, knowing they were losing the by-election. Not the Reds as a "whole", but a faction, or even just one person, among them.

DEMS - Had it done to maintain the E.D. for their own purposes.

MILITARY - Don't want E.D. lifted because of the power, and total immunity for their actions, that it gives them.

PAD - They are not happy with Abhist and Dems right now, and could have done it to further embarrass them, or even to try and implicate the Reds.

So, any one of those 4 could have done it for their own reasons. I have a feeling, although I could be wrong about this, that we will never really know who did it.

To name only REDS without mentioning UDD, PTP, K. Thaksin's very own, you are being misleading.

[cmmc_3]

Let the authorities investigate. Their reports should be impartial. Hopefully no one starts taking the opportunity to stir up another blame game. Hope there was a security camera covering the area of the blast. :jap:

[beano2274]

Hate to say it but this will be a regular thing IMHO. And the Thais are reactive, if it was a bag left outside near the bus stop then someone should have noticed it, but no they are not security conscious. You see it all the time, people leaving a bag whilst they go to the toilet or go the the counter at McDonalds. Time they started to be proactive.

Hope those injured do make a speedy recovery.

[elcent]

Let the authorities investigate. Their reports should be impartial. Hopefully no one starts taking the opportunity to stir up another blame game. Hope there was a security camera covering the area of the blast. :jap:

I second that. But will it make a difference in peoples judgements?

I strongly hope that the culprits will be found and that high resolution cams were/are in place to identify the culprits. These are cowards of the finest.

Edited July 25, 2010 by elcent

[granuaile]

This country is high on meth...drunk on whiskey...crime ridden streets...corrupt cops...alcoholic taxi operators...prostitutes...and mad bombers!

Amazing Thailand!!!!!

And they charge us at immigration to stay and spend our money. hel_l in a handbasket!

Actually I have seen little of that most places in Thailand. I see mo more drinking among the Thai than i do the farang, generally much less. And I was rather shocked my first walk down Sukhumvit in the Nana area when I realized those women were streetwalkers and all the porn. But I never see that sort of thing in the open elsewhere. I've yet to encounter a corrupt cop. Immigration has never been anything but helpful to me, and the fees are quite modest. How easy is it for Thai to go to most western countries? And what are the fees.... Bombers are the exception. I still feel safe here, safer than most places in the world. Hmmm, if you have such a low opinion of it here, I have to wonder the obvious question...

[mommysboy]

Hate to say it but this will be a regular thing IMHO. And the Thais are reactive, if it was a bag left outside near the bus stop then someone should have noticed it, but no they are not security conscious. You see it all the time, people leaving a bag whilst they go to the toilet or go the the counter at McDonalds. Time they started to be proactive.

Hope those injured do make a speedy recovery.

I agree, this is going to become a regular thing.

You know what the media is like too, Thai tourism really has an even bigger problem.

It wouldn't be so bad if the terrorists didn't have a valid point, what an insane gap between rich and poor, and this is not a democracy!

[charmonman]

Strange that Thaksin made a concilliatory speach just yesterday then this happens

Thaksin has a record of saying one thing and doing another (which is not to say he is necessarily responsible for this). Remember when he tearfully resigned as Prime Minister back in 2005(?) and then just continued on as "caretaker" PM?

[Comehome]

Oh my Godness!!!!

So sad to hear about this!

Condolances and speedy recovery to the injured and their families.

Hope the Royal Highnesses are helping the injured and their families with hospital expenses. This is a pure terror attack, nothing else!

And to the rest of you, please be careful and take care of your loved ones!

/comehome

[SteveB2]

How unseasonal

I was not expecting anymore nasty business in Thailand until after the rice crop was in around October time.

Since, I can barely imagine the amount of Taksin's cash that must have changed hands to rouse a bunch of Red shirt Isaan rice farmers from their mid-summer hibernation and actualy do something

... apart from drink Lao Khao, gamble borrowed cash, or maybe throw their wives/girlfriends/daughters on the 407 Pattana Bus down to Pattaya.

Worrying times indeed...

"Sprinklers set to AUTO"

[pepi2005]

Guys, it's not possible that the Red Shirts did it, because they are peaceful demonstrators who only want everyone to be 'equal'.

And they only defend themselves with bamboo sticks and slingshots!

If you don't believe me, watch BBC or CNN.

[Mitker]

I am curious about the target. As I understand it, Big C's in general appeal to the lower economic portion of society. Buses are also used by the poorer segment of society, so the people who get injured are more likely to be red shirts, I would think.

That's right but the logic of terrorism makes any conclusion irrelevant.

Terrorists are hiding their true motives. Aiming at the poorest segment of society can be motivated by the will to terrorize them or to victimize them (politically speaking; they are physical victims already) or to put the pressure on the government for underground maneuvers. According to each scenario, It could thus be the act of government side, the reds or the Southern insurgents. Everyone will have his thoughts.

As for mine, they are deeply influenced by recent events in BKK, the behaviors witnessed and speeches heard.

[IAMSOBAD]

Never saw a prostitute??? Never saw a corrupt cop?

Are you in Thailand or Dreamland?

[earthpig]

some of us pleaded for the government to offer amnesty to the red leaders.

instead, thailand got the terrorist assasination of seh daeng and the use force at ratchaprasong.

now we all get to wait with bated breath and see if this is an isolated incident, or if it is the beginning of a new hel_l in bangkok.

one thing that doesnt auger well: this terrorism was not aimed at an upper class establishment like, say Central or Emporium. It was aimed right at middle class bangkok shopping for their basic necessities.

was this bombing an expression of hatred against all who live here?

and while we wait for the next bomb to go off, anybody want to go shopping for anything downtown?

[philw]

Guys, it's not possible that the Red Shirts did it, because they are peaceful demonstrators who only want everyone to be 'equal'.

And they only defend themselves with bamboo sticks and slingshots!

If you don't believe me, watch BBC or CNN.

Very helpful, thank you.......

[moe666]

We have a group of people whose goal in life at present is to overthrow the government, when is the present government going to get serious about this problem. Thakins cronys need to be cracked down on and please donot give them the option of sending their lawyer in to chat.

Maybe this attack will open their eyes to the problem they have are is the Prime Minister still trying to talk.

[personchester]

Such a crime to set a bomb like this to deliberately injure innocent people who are such easy targets. Thailand is a beautiful country however if these problems are not soon solved it will be on the road to self destruction.

No, this will not result into self destruction, for example ... London and many other major / minor English cities had to suffer attacks like this for a long time (IRA action) with many, many fatal casulties, not to mention the huge numbers of injuries, and it did not result into self destruction.

On the contrary, London, and the other attacked English cities got moral support from right across the globe, and the same global moral support will be given to Bangkok should those attacks continue,

[philw]

How unseasonal

I was not expecting anymore nasty business in Thailand until after the rice crop was in around October time.

Since, I can barely imagine the amount of Taksin's cash that must have changed hands to rouse a bunch of Red shirt Isaan rice farmers from their mid-summer hibernation and actualy do something

... apart from drink Lao Khao, gamble borrowed cash, or maybe throw their wives/girlfriends/daughters on the 407 Pattana Bus down to Pattaya.

Worrying times indeed...

"Sprinklers set to AUTO"

Why are you so insulting about, approx, 20 million people ???

Philw