Suspected Grenade Explodes At Bangkok Thai TV Centre: Govt

[webfact]

Suspected grenade explodes at Thai TV centre

by Boonradom Chitradon

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A suspected grenade exploded in front of Thailand's national TV centre Tuesday in an attack the government said was intended to sow panic in Bangkok, which remains under emergency rule.

No one was injured by the explosion in front of the building housing the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, the third attack on the state-run centre this year and the second blast in the city within a week.

Witnesses told AFP they saw the device hit a tree before it detonated, damaging six cars -- one of them badly.

"Based on circumstantial evidence it's likely to have been caused by an M-79 (grenade)," government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said.

"The attack was an attempt to create disturbance and to panic people and show there are loopholes in the government's measures," he added.

The capital has been under emergency rule since April 7 in response to anti-government "Red Shirt" protests, in which 91 people died and about 1,900 were injured in clashes between protesters and the army.

The first attack on the state-run television centre in March injured four people, while the second in April fell short of its target and caused no injuries.

A handful of explosions across Bangkok in recent weeks have unnerved the Thai capital's residents, who are still recovering from the deadly street protests in April and May.

A grenade blast last Thursday -- the second in a month at the King Power duty-free shopping outlet -- injured a security guard and ensured Bangkok would be the last province kept under emergency rule, the prime minister said.

On July 30, a grenade hidden in a plastic rubbish bag injured a Thai man in his 30s who was scavenging for scrap.

A man linked to the Red Shirt demonstrations was arrested over the explosion and police said the suspect, 23-year-old Sorathien Singkanya, admitted that the grenade belonged to him but had denied planting it himself.

That blast came less than a week after a small bomb exploded at a Bangkok bus stop, killing one person and injuring 10.

Bangkok and six other Thai provinces remain under emergency rule prohibiting public gatherings of more than five people and giving security forces the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge.

Authorities have used the powers to arrest hundreds of suspects and silence anti-government media.

The protests by the Reds, many of whom back fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, attracted up to 100,000 people demanding immediate elections.

Thaksin, a former telecoms tycoon, was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006 and lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a prison sentence imposed in his absence for corruption.

After the May crackdown, Red Shirt leaders asked their thousands of supporters to disperse but enraged protesters set fire to dozens of buildings, including a shopping mall and the stock exchange.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-08-31

[webfact]

Urgent: M79 grenade fired at Channel 11

An assailant fired an M79 grenade at the NBT station Tuesday afternoon.

The grenade landed at the parking area at 1:25 pm.

A news vehicle was damaged but no one was injured.

INN reported that the grenade appeared to have been fired from the Don Mueng Tollway.

-- The Nation 2010-08-31

[Robby nz]

Red media censorship again?

[Portlandstone]

Red media censorship again?

Get off it, please. You "pro-government" apologist types that insist foreigners aren't allowed in Thai politics should also heed that argument here as well. A bombing is a major incident in and of itself, and it's no time to start a "red-shirt" argument. After all, it's their politics, not ours wouldn't you say?

[Pib]

These gernade/small bomb attacks are getting to be a regular thing in Bangkok.

[rubl]

Now for the common link between the four recent grenade attacks. There is no proof, so this leaves enough space for speculation by our esteemed members.

[OzMick]

Now for the common link between the four recent grenade attacks. There is no proof, so this leaves enough space for speculation by our esteemed members.

But their is a link of 1 bombing to the Reds:

"A man linked to the Red Shirt demonstrations was arrested over the explosion and police said the suspect, 23-year-old Sorathien Singkanya, admitted that the grenade belonged to him but had denied planting it himself."

And the latest bombing is supposedly an M-79. There was quite a few of those a little while back.

Combining Occam's Razor and the duck theory, I think it's a duck.

[rubl]

Now for the common link between the four recent grenade attacks. There is no proof, so this leaves enough space for speculation by our esteemed members.

But their is a link of 1 bombing to the Reds:

"A man linked to the Red Shirt demonstrations was arrested over the explosion and police said the suspect, 23-year-old Sorathien Singkanya, admitted that the grenade belonged to him but had denied planting it himself."

And the latest bombing is supposedly an M-79. There was quite a few of those a little while back.

Combining Occam's Razor and the duck theory, I think it's a duck.

Even in ducks you have various sorts and colors. The use of M79 launchers to lop grenades seems a common element, but no proof whodunit apart from one case.

Edited August 31, 2010 by rubl

[webfact]

M79 grenade hits state-run TV station, no casualties

BANGKOK: -- An explosive device, likely to be an M79 grenade, hit the the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) station Tuesday afternoon but no one was wounded in the incident.

It was fired from the Vibhavadi-Rangsit expressway in the capital about 1.30pm.and hit tree branches and fell on the ground in the parking lot near the entrance of state-operated NBT Channel 11 broadcasting station.

No one was injured but three passenger cars and two news vans were damaged.

The incident occurred as a state of emergency is in place in the capital and the nearby provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan, as well as three northeastern provinces of Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima.

The incident was the latest attack in less than a week after a security guard on August 26 was seriously wounded by a grenade explosion on Rangnam Road near the King Power duty-free shopping complex in central Bangkok.

That explosion occurred at 11pm last Thursday night, only a few metres from the site of an earlier grenade blast less than a month ago on July 30.

On July 30, an unidentified garbage scavenger was critically wounded when a grenade hidden in a rubbish bin exploded. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-08-31

[OzMick]

Now for the common link between the four recent grenade attacks. There is no proof, so this leaves enough space for speculation by our esteemed members.

But their is a link of 1 bombing to the Reds:

"A man linked to the Red Shirt demonstrations was arrested over the explosion and police said the suspect, 23-year-old Sorathien Singkanya, admitted that the grenade belonged to him but had denied planting it himself."

And the latest bombing is supposedly an M-79. There was quite a few of those a little while back.

Combining Occam's Razor and the duck theory, I think it's a duck.

Even in ducks you have various sorts and colors. The use of M79 launchers to lop grenades seems a common element, but no proof whodunit apart from one case.

If you go back to 17/7/10 Thailand live you will find seh Daeng's aide admitting to one M-79 attack and this

"The DSI first located the suspect after a sting in Chon Buri province in which he sold two AK-47 rifles, two M-79 launchers and 25 grenades to Navy agents for Bt60,000. The items were part of an arms cache allegedly given to him by Khattiya for use during the protests."

My emphasis. This duck is ruby red.

[Buchholz]

Now for the common link between the four recent grenade attacks. There is no proof, so this leaves enough space for speculation by our esteemed members.

But their is a link of 1 bombing to the Reds:

"A man linked to the Red Shirt demonstrations was arrested over the explosion and police said the suspect, 23-year-old Sorathien Singkanya, admitted that the grenade belonged to him but had denied planting it himself."

And the latest bombing is supposedly an M-79. There was quite a few of those a little while back.

Combining Occam's Razor and the duck theory, I think it's a duck.

Even in ducks you have various sorts and colors. The use of M79 launchers to lop grenades seems a common element, but no proof whodunit apart from one case.

Actually, there are multiple Red Shirters that have been identified for a number of recent bombings, eg. Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters, Big C, amongst others. Several of them are identified in this thread:

Thailand's Fragile Peace Threatened, Bomb Attack

Regarding specifically the attacks on the media, including the Channel 11, of the OP:

UDD protesters also moved against the media, threatening journalists from private and state-run news sources whom they perceived as unsympathetic to their cause. Coinciding with their ramped-up street protests in Bangkok, the UDD staged demonstrations in front of several offices of Channel 11, operated by the government-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand. In several northeastern provinces, Channel 11 station managers were forced at times to stop their broadcasts.

On April 8, UDD protesters in Bangkok hurled bottles and spat at reporters from television channels 3 and 7 for what they said was under-reporting of the number of protesters attending a mass rally staged by the UDD near Government House. Red-shirted protesters surrounded Channel 3’s mobile broadcast unit and, threatening violence, forced reporters to take sanctuary in a nearby Buddhist temple

http://www.cpj.org/2010/02/attacks-on-the-press-2009-thailand.php

[webfact]

Development on NBT Bomb Attack

Initial reports suggest that the bomb on the NBT headquarters was an M79 grenade which was launched from Vipavadee Rangsit Road.

The bomb damaged one van and four sedans parked in the area.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-31

[rubl]

Now for the common link between the four recent grenade attacks. There is no proof, so this leaves enough space for speculation by our esteemed members.

But their is a link of 1 bombing to the Reds:

"A man linked to the Red Shirt demonstrations was arrested over the explosion and police said the suspect, 23-year-old Sorathien Singkanya, admitted that the grenade belonged to him but had denied planting it himself."

And the latest bombing is supposedly an M-79. There was quite a few of those a little while back.

Combining Occam's Razor and the duck theory, I think it's a duck.

Even in ducks you have various sorts and colors. The use of M79 launchers to lop grenades seems a common element, but no proof whodunit apart from one case.

If you go back to 17/7/10 Thailand live you will find seh Daeng's aide admitting to one M-79 attack and this

"The DSI first located the suspect after a sting in Chon Buri province in which he sold two AK-47 rifles, two M-79 launchers and 25 grenades to Navy agents for Bt60,000. The items were part of an arms cache allegedly given to him by Khattiya for use during the protests."

My emphasis. This duck is ruby red.

Although I agree with what you and buchholtz are saying, may I point out I was referring to the four recent attacks only.

[Hakuchi]

What is with the good old investigation method that involves lots of crime tape?

Honestly, in that stage of information about the case where even the grenade is just "suspected" it is impossible to name a culprit or his shirt colour.

Funny armchair "Herashio" having a field day. listen to rixarex:

Everyone's a wannabe Herashio these days. Crime busting lark all looks so easy. Some people seem to think it really is.

[Piengrudee]

Perhaps Seh Deang did it. Maybe he is still alive? Possible?

[neverdie]

Perhaps Seh Deang did it. Maybe he is still alive? Possible?

Nonesense.

[dumball]

So , there are emergency measures in place in the city , how are they supposed to diminish or deter these random acts of terrorism ? That is what these random bombings are , so they should be reported as such , when the perpetrators are caught , they should be charged with terrorism and given the most severe penalty available , that would be a better deterant by far .

[Hakuchi]

Perhaps Seh Deang did it. Maybe he is still alive? Possible?

Nonesense.

are you missing the sense of humour gene?

Edited August 31, 2010 by Hakuchi

[kokesaat]

"These gernade/small bomb attacks are getting to be a regular thing in Bangkok."

It's the surest way to continue the state of emergency and keep those big military budgets flowing.

[truethailand]

So , there are emergency measures in place in the city , how are they supposed to diminish or deter these random acts of terrorism ? That is what these random bombings are , so they should be reported as such , when the perpetrators are caught , they should be charged with terrorism and given the most severe penalty available , that would be a better deterant by far .

Dont be surprised if the terrorist in this case is wearing a very fetching shade of khaki.

[moe666]

It's his ghost seeking revenge on those who killed him and didn't bow down and scrap before his royal postrior

[rubl]

It's his ghost seeking revenge on those who killed him and didn't bow down and scrap before his royal postrior

I sympathize with the feeling, but suspect you've been watching too many Thai horror movies

[webfact]

M-79 attack on NBT could have come from road, car

By The Nation

A grenade launched from an M-79 yesterday landed in a parking area within the NBT compound off Vibhavadhi Rangsit motorway in Bangkok, causing no casualties but damaging property.

State-run NBT - formerly known as Channel 11 - was the target of attacks during the red-shirt protests in March and April.

Bangkok police chief Lt-General Santhan Chayanont and PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaiboon, who oversees the Public Relations Department-run NBT, both said the attack was politically motivated.

The lone grenade was fired into a parking lot in front of the main NBT office around 1.30pm, damaging four vehicles.

Santhan said the grenade could have been launched from the ground rather than a vantage point on an elevated tollway in front of NBT, as policemen were manning the section as security for a royal motorcade.

Ong-art later commented that the grenade should not have targeted NBT personnel as new NBT policies give more chance for opposition figures and NGOs to speak freely on state-run channels.

A meeting of police and civilian investigators was held later. Three teams of investigators have been assigned to compile evidence and conduct a trajectory study to determine where the grenade was fired from.

Chief investigator Pol General Phanupong Singhara na Ayutthaya said a potential lead was that those behind the two blasts near the King Power complex in Soi Rangnam could have been behind the latest attack on NBT.

Meanwhile, reporters covering the police beat were assessing a rumour that Santhan could be transferred from Metropolitan Police chief in a reshuffle to be announced next month, because the police have failed to stem blasts in Bangkok and have made no arrest or breakthrough after five bomb attacks in the capital.

Phanupong did not rule out the possibility of the grenade being fired from a moving vehicle on the tollway, and ordered that all security camera footage on the tollway be inspected.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said it was difficult for security agencies to deal with political activities in a mixed variety of illegal and peaceful events. "It would have been easier to maintain security if these two types of activities were separated clearly from each other," he said, without explaining.

"If we are too strict with security measures, public liberty will be affected, but if we completely set everything free, I believe violence will be widely used," he said. Abhisit also called on those wishing to express themselves legally to carry out activities separately from those associated with illegal means.

Commenting on frequent statements by opposition Pheu Thai MPs predicting attacks, he said it was their right to speak. "But I would rather they give authorities tip-offs on where and how the attacks will be carried out."

Mathee Supapong, director of the Bank of Thailand's Domestic Economy Department, said the recent bombing incidents would dent investors' confidence a little.

"Let's hope that the government is able to nail down the culprits soon," he said.

But he said he personally did not worry about the incidents much as he believed the situation would not spiral out of control.

-- The Nation 2010-09-01

[Buchholz]

Actually, there are multiple Red Shirters that have been identified for a number of recent bombings, eg. Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters, Big C, amongst others.

and now we have more attacks on Bhum Jai Thai Party

Bhum Jai Thai Politicians Shot in Si Sa Ket

Two Bhum Jai Thai politicians were seriously wounded in a gun assault last night.

Last night, a Si Sa Ket provincial council member from the Bhum Jai Thai Party, Suriyaporn Phienkasikam, was shot in her own local convenience store by a gunman who pretended to be a customer.

At the store, the culprit also shot Worasak Tangpoolpolsawas, a Bhum Jai Thai prospective candidate for the next General Election in the province, before fleeing the scene.

Continues:

[rubl]

and now we have more attacks on Bhum Jai Thai Party

Bhum Jai Thai Politicians Shot in Si Sa Ket

Two Bhum Jai Thai politicians were seriously wounded in a gun assault last night.

Last night, a Si Sa Ket provincial council member from the Bhum Jai Thai Party, Suriyaporn Phienkasikam, was shot in her own local convenience store by a gunman who pretended to be a customer.

At the store, the culprit also shot Worasak Tangpoolpolsawas, a Bhum Jai Thai prospective candidate for the next General Election in the province, before fleeing the scene.

Continues:

Physical violence is a sign of verbal incompetence. End of discussion I guess ?

[Buchholz]

Deputy PM Suthep: NBT explosion may be linked to M79 grenade attacks at Yellow Shirt protests

BANGKOK, Sept 1 - Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday a grenade attack at a state-operated television station may have a connection with earlier grenade incidents at Yellow Shirt demonstrations at Government House two years ago.

Mr Suthep said he has ordered tightened security measures at both media and government offices.

The deputy prime minister, who supervises national security, commented following the Tuesday M79 explosion in the compound of the state television broadcaster NBT which damaged several vehicles in the latest in a string of attacks in the Thai capital.

The Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), which is directed by Mr Suthep, said earlier that the latest M79 grenade attack was aimed at causing disturbances and that it was believed to be the same type of weapon used in previous attacks believed to be aimed at alarming the public and raising concerns that their lives and property are threatened.

The incident occurred as a state of emergency remains in place in the capital and the nearby provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan, as well as three northeastern provinces of Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Mr Suthep said Wednesday he has instructed CRES to tighten security measures and if an insufficient number of police is available, they should ask for cooperation from the army.

Metropolitan police must also step up security measures at key government office buildings and media offices, said Mr Suthep.

The deputy premier added the M79 grenade attack at the NBT station is outrageous as it occurred in broad daylight. He expressed sympathy with security agencies as they could not set up more checkpoints without further clogging the capital's already problematic traffic flow.

"I believe the NBT M79 'bomber' is the same group which fired grenades at the yellow-shirted protesters who encamped in the Government House compound," said Mr Suthep.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) staged a marathon protest, occupying Government House for six months in 2008, to oust two successive governments which they believed to be proxies of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The PAD protesters were hit by a number of explosions. Major casualties occurred in November 2008 when one protester was killed and 22 others wounded after an apparent M79 grenade attack at their encampment.

The deputy prime minister also denied an accusation of government involvement with the attack to create a situation, noting that the incidents usually took place after the remarks of opposition party members, especially by its spokesman Prompong Nopparit.

Minister attached to Prime Minister's Office Ongart Klampaiboon, who oversees state media, said he believes the bombing at NBT is not related to the content of programmes or news reports aired by the station as it has welcomed differing opinions.

"I think it is normal there will be persons who like or dislike the station's programmes," said Mr Ongart. "Since I took post, there's no threat and everything runs normally. We open more and more, many opposition MPs also respect the station's work."

For safety of the NBT employees, Mr Ongart said he has coordinated with security agencies to provide more personnel as the station is considered a politically symbolic location and a key risk area.

Regarding the weekly televised address of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Mr Ongart said it will run as usual and there's no need for the premier to record his show elsewhere.

However, Mr Ongart said, this weekend the programme will not be recorded at the NBT station as the premier will attend the World Expo in Shanghai.

-- TNA 2010-09-01

[asiawatcher]

"A man linked to the Red Shirt demonstrations was arrested over the explosion and police said the suspect, 23-year-old Sorathien Singkanya, admitted that the grenade belonged to him but had denied planting it himself."

Give me a break!

[Buchholz]

"A man linked to the Red Shirt demonstrations was arrested over the explosion and police said the suspect, 23-year-old Sorathien Singkanya, admitted that the grenade belonged to him but had denied planting it himself."

Give me a break!

Very common amongst the Red Shirts to proffer such ridiculousness.

[Buchholz]

On July 30, a grenade hidden in a plastic rubbish bag injured a Thai man in his 30s who was scavenging for scrap.

A man linked to the Red Shirt demonstrations was arrested over the explosion and police said the suspect, 23-year-old Sorathien Singkanya, admitted that the grenade belonged to him but had denied planting it himself.

2 more UDD members charged with terrorism

BANGKOK, 28 September 2010 (NNT) – The Department of Special Investigation presses charges against two members of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) on grounds of terrorism and possession of explosives.

The accused are Sornthien Singkanya, 23, and Waiyawat Phatkung, 38. Prosecutors of the special case department will decide whether to indict them. Sornthien is detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison and his 5th detainment term will expire on 1 October. The other accused, Waiyawat, is still at large.

The prosecutors have 24 days to decide whether to indict the two suspects. They are expected to reach a decision before the detainment term expires.

-- NNT 2010-09-28

Edited September 28, 2010 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

One of several Red Shirt Bombers that have been implicated in a spate of recent bombings, Sornthien Singkanya.

He is the suspect in the Rang Nam Road bombing on July 30 that resulted in an injured trash scavenger. When he was originally arrested, he was in possession of grenades and home-made bombs. He was seen to be the person who ordered other protesters to torch the Center One shopping mall and nearby ATMs during the May riots. He's also suspected of smashing cash machines and robbing the money inside during the May Mayhem. He is further implicated in the explosion of a grenade near the duty-free King Power's office last August.