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

[manarak]

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

Are you in Thailand or Dreamland?

What's wrong with prostitutes anyway?

Are you some kind of religious fanatic?

[rubl]

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

It may not be nice to say, but there is an element of truth.

[philw]

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,

Perfectly correct.

Well said.

Common sense will prevail, but there is some turbulence ahead.

philw

[Mitker]

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.

I was in BKK during red shirt protests meanwhile I could see BBC and CNN Disney-style coverage of the events.

That's why I don't trust their cheap reporting anymore. Thanks.

[bristolgeoff]

the reds lost the by election,so this is what happened.does not sound good for future elections

[IanForbes]

Considering the polarized and somewhat nasty comments on this supposedly friendly forum, the bombing doesn't surprise me.

[jfchandler]

Scott, re the target of the bomb...

The Big C in question, to the best of my knowledge, remains closed due to the damage from the Red riots...

And, just because the bomb was placed in a garbage container at a bus stop doesn't mean the bombing was targeting anything about buses or bus riders....

It's just speculation....but more than likely, I'd guess the target was really the former protest site generally speaking.

And the trash bin at the bus stop was just a convenient place for hiding the explosive where it wouldn't be seen or noticed, and likely give the bomber time to get away... This is BKK after all, so there aren't that many trash cans sitting around the street sides, except for near bus stops.

quote name='Scott' timestamp='1280062073' post='3772566']

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.

[frankthetank]

I blame B.P.!

[garrfeild]

i wonder who planted it, the government to justify the continued emergency decree, the reds or the yellows, or southern insurgents (terrorists). My money is on the fist one.

Get a life. that is just so idiotic to make such a suggestion

[bendejo]

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.......

Yes, the sign clearly stated they were not terrorists, so it has to be true. Why would they lie about something like that?

[rogera]

Let's make sure we stick to commenting on the topic and the posts about it; NOT the poster making it.

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.

I was in in my car this early evening on Rajdamri about 100 meters from Big C when the explosion occurred. I was outside the Arnoma Hotel when this almighty bang went off and I said to my wife "That's a bomb". Traffic was already at a standstill due to the red light at Pratumwan intersection so, after the explosion I was worried that there might be more explosions to come so, being in the outside lane nearest to Big C, I managed to do a U-turn into the Gaysorn Plaza access to Ploenchit and went home via the expressway. Had I been about 100 metres further on, I would probably have copped the full blast. In the nearly 30 years that I have been living here, this is the closest I have ever come to danger in any shape or form. Thailand certainly has changed for the worse.

For what it's worth and while I have no proof that this is going to happen, I have heard through contacts (from people close to Jakrophob, actually) that the reds are regrouping and are planning more rallies and "activities" (whatever that may mean) in the months following the lifting of the Emergency Rule in Bangkok. Perhaps Abhisit is right in prolonging the decree, for the immediate future, particularly in Bangkok. If this is true, it does not bode well for the months following the lifting of the ED.

Incidentally, Big C has been closed since the advent of the red shirt occupation of Rajdamri with a corrugated fence around the entire complex so it makes you wonder who the actual target was. Perhaps it was a reminder from the red shirts that this is where, so to speak, Custer had his last stand.

[webfact]

UPDATE

JS 100 radio reports the 51-yr-old Thawatchai Thongmak died. The toll is 8 injured and one dead. /via @Veen_NT

Urgent: The seriously injured victim of Big C bomb has been pronounced dead. /via @tulsathit

[hansnl]

i wonder who planted it, the government to justify the continued emergency decree, the reds or the yellows, or southern insurgents (terrorists). My money is on the fist one.

The Government?

Continue the emergency, against international pressure?

What could they gain by doing that?

The reds?

If it can be believed the Thaksin followers are running out of steam, the numbers are dwindling.

The yellows?

Atypical.

Southern Insurgents?

Lot of Taliban style figures over there, might be possible.

My money on the reds, seeing the results of the poll.\

But who am I?

Edited July 25, 2010 by hansnl

[hammered]

It distracts from the disastrous BKK defeat on a very low turnout. That is all this is about. A sub 50% turnout according to PTP people should have seen their candidate win and yet a sub 50% turnot saw a large defeat

[elcent]

It distracts from the disastrous BKK defeat on a very low turnout. That is all this is about. A sub 50% turnout according to PTP people should have seen their candidate win and yet a sub 50% turnot saw a large defeat

Interesting opinion, but could be true.

[elcent]

the known victims so far

1 Mrs Sompat Tangsiripanitch, 46

2 Mr Somchai Iampracha, 37

3 Ms Chanu, 24

4 Mr Puan Pornnithet, 37

5 Mr Veerasak Tae, 40, bus driver

6 Mr Somchai Iampracha, 37

7 Mr Thawatchai Thongmark, 50 (seriously injured)- now dead

Edited July 25, 2010 by elcent

[Insight]

It distracts from the disastrous BKK defeat on a very low turnout. That is all this is about. A sub 50% turnout according to PTP people should have seen their candidate win and yet a sub 50% turnot saw a large defeat

Well spotted.

[1600am]

sigh, i'm really sad for thailand. i really love this lovely country......

[barney42bb]

And still the Thai Agencies will report that Tourism will be on the up...Yeah Right!!!

All this political unrest,,terrorism.. Civil disorder......Price hikes...The falsely high Baht exchange rate...and the good old 150 ATM charges..all bodes well to make Thailand an attractive place to head for....NOT.

[XAR]

Let's make sure we stick to commenting on the topic and the posts about it; NOT the poster making it.

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.

A class struggle is what the reds would have you think, but most of their leaders are anything but poor. If you want to understand why certain businesses were burned (central, big c...not burned down but an arson attack nonetheless) while others were left untouched (gaysorn...which epitomizes the upper class, Grand Hyatt Erawan...couldn't pick a more upscale hotel, Siam Paragon...definitely more upscale than Central), then just read the article below.

Which Buildings Should We Burn?

One would note that the Chirathivats (owners of Central and major shareholders of Big C) were probably targeted and had some friction with a man named Thaksin; while the Gaysorn owners, the Srivikorn's, had a close relationship with Thaksin.

I know this will probably cause many to call me a yellow shirt, which I am not, but sometimes, the simplest explanations actually are the real reasons why things happen.

I find it funny that every time a red shirt is injured their backers on this board accuse the government while injuries to third party or government workers immediately result in a claim of government conspiracy. Personally I just don't think the government has the ability to come up with such grandiose plans. If you need any proof of this, just visit your local Visa branch.

[phoneguy702]

Seems like the Reds are the logical group to look at, either because of the outcome of the election or as a way of reminding the population that they are still alive and able to cause disruption.

It could also be done to have the Gov't reinforce their desire to keep the state of emergency in place which the foreign press has been showing as the "Elite" repression of the "poor" reds.

This does not mean that the Leadership either endorsed or even knew about it. The Reds seem like quite a fractured group and any one of a number of people could have set this up.

If it was the southern insurgents you would hear about the reason in short order as they would be interested in spreading their attacks to the greater population to bring more attention to their "cause".

I agree with a number of previous posters that the placement of the device in a trash bin was more likely a convenient hiding place to get the device into a group of people where it could do the most damage.

Most bombings of this sort are not to destroy property, that takes a larger device and is more difficult to design/build /place but a shrapnel bomb creates a lot of personal damage and creates fear, worry and distrust .

Which is just what a politically minded bomber is looking for.

Like everyone else I hope that the injured recover quickly and that the bomber is found and brought to justice.

I am concerned that the government, police force and military that the Thai have been supporting/allowing in the past are not as interested in the Thai people as they are in themselves. And until the Thai decide that they are not willing

to accept things as they are, and are willing to hold local Politicians/Police and Military commanders accountable for their actions. Then we will see the Thai people get the government they deserve. I am under no illusions that it will happen soon

but a mindset has to change before progress can occur.

[webfact]

RAJDAMRI BOMB ATTACK

The blast intended to cause many injuries : Government spokesman

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn said Sunday the blast at a Rajdamri bus stop was intended to cause injuries to people.

The bomb attack at a bus stop in front of Big C Department Store's Rajdamri branch at about 5.15pm injured nine people, one seriously.

It was the first violence in Bangkok after the May chaos in which red shirts protesters burnt down many buildings in Bangkok.

This Big C branch and the CentralWorld Shopping Complex on the opposite site of the road, were burnt down during the riots.

Panitan said that it seemed like they placed the bomb at a place that would cause injuries to a number of people. They are quite serious about causing trouble, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-07-25

[Lobin]

but let's face, they were reds.

i did not realise that they had already accepted responsibility? or do you know something the rest do not?

[SiamRose]

I am curious about the target. As I understand it, Big C's in general appeal to the lower economic portion of society.

Big C customers are typically middle class. Anyway this particular store is still closed after being damaged by arson following the May red-shirt protests. Big C is owned by the Central retail group whose major shareholder is a big supporter of the yellow shirts and the Democrat party.

Edited July 25, 2010 by SiamRose

[Markaew]

I hope the bomber drops dead. A plague on you, scum.

Hey, that's an incendiary comment that most of us would agree with, whatever color the bombers were, but let's face, they were reds.

Give it a rest............

The problems are serious enough as it is without endless propagandists.......

Agreed Philw, but that won't stop this group. The crazies will surface again.

[SanSaiExPat]

well the burning of Bangkok has not been solved yet, we all saw how wrong people could be with the missing weapons, rockets launched, poo thrown over wall etc. but yes, people will speculate, I already have, The government are trying to justify the emergency decree.

I agree with both of your posts Mr. Tony. It also helps the government, or at least they think so, justify keeping opposition party members in jail to prevent them from their constitutional right to participate in the election process. It makes it alot easier to win elections when you've got the opposition locked up, don't ya think?

[BKjohn]

Speculation on the identity of those responsible is unhelpful and merely exposes the prejudices of those doing the speculation.

I'm sure that whoever is responsible will announce themselves in due course.

The reds have shown clearly that they are cowards and won't admit to their actions. They will not admit to this one either and claiming that the government did this is total rubbish. The reds lost the by-election and acted once again like thugs. They are actually worse than your normal terrorist, at least they admit what they did.

Edited July 25, 2010 by BKjohn

[TAWP]

SanSaiExPat>> If they did not *choose* to field a violence instigator that is cirrently in jail, after the fact, than perhaps they could complain.

What is next, the Democrats in the US should field a man from Death Row and then complain when he isn't let out to campaign?

The PT(ish) candidate was chosen *after* he was arrested, not before. No-one arrested him for being in an election. THey just wanted to capitalize on the support the think the riots gave them (...) and have a way out if they lost. Hedging their bets, so to speak.

[fasteddie]

Predictable that Tony would point fingers at the government and claim they would bomb their own when no evidence has never ever been presented that they have done it sofar during this mandate period.

We do however know that 'the Red Shirt in jail hoping to become an MP' lost today...and democracy has never been the red shirts strong side.

Why do you talk such piffle? Have you only just arrived in Thailand? Have you not noticed that every time there are democratic elections, the reds win but are removed from power by unconstitutional means!

And to suggest the elitists in Thailand would not do whatever it takes to cling on to power, is naive to say the least.

[MRCOCONUT]

MCOT: Ten people wounded in bombing at bus stop outside Big C, Ratchadamri; all injured rushed to Chulalongkorn Hospital

WHEN IS THIS CRAP GOING TO STOP!!!!?????

Do you think the Police are ever going to get off there asses and take care of the people!!!