Bangkok-Nonthaburi Bomb Went Off Accidentally

[webfact]

Bomb went off accidentally

By The Nation

Detonator was triggered prematurely: ordnance expert; Police say technique similar to bombs found at other sites in city

The powerful explosion at a Nonthaburi apartment building on Tuesday resulted from the accidental detonation of explosives during assembly of home-made bombs, a senior police ordnance man told a press conference yesterday.

In Room 202 of the Samarn Metta Mansion, a bomb-maker was trying to connect electronic circuits to two home-made devices, one using an air-conditioner coolant tank and the other using a fire extinguisher as housings, after they were filled with fertiliser-based material and gunpowder, said Pol Lt-Colonel Kamthorn Ui-jaroen.

"Somehow the detonator of one of the two bombs was triggered prematurely, resulting in the explosion," the officer said at a press conference held at the Army headquarters on behalf of the government's Centre for Resolu-tion of the Emergency Situation.

Another officer, Pol Colonel Tawatchai Mekprasertsuk, said the assembly technique of both bombs was similar to that of bombs found at various locations in Bangkok: at Santiras Witthayalai School, near Nang Lerng racecourse, at The Mall Ngarmwong-wan, and at the Public Health Ministry.

"But there is no evidence indicating that these assembly methods were employed in incidents in the deep South," he added.

At least four people were killed by the blast. The fourth body, partly charred and with the face mutilated beyond recognition, was retrieved yesterday from underneath Room 202. Pending an autopsy and verification of the victim's identity, it is not known whether it was a pro-red man who rented the room two weeks ago.

However, the identity card of Samai Wongsuwan, a staunch red supporter who was on the run after facing indictments in Chiang Mai for attempted murder and possession of explosives, was found in a shirt pocket. His wife Buakham Muangma told police he had disappeared three months ago after returning home once when the red protests in Bangkok ended in May.

Police chief Pol General Wichean Potephosree, speaking at another press conference, said the circuits found in the room could be timed to trigger a device within hours or even a week. He confirmed that the way batteries were connected as well as the use of fire extinguishers and air-conditioner coolant tanks linked the Nonthaburi device to the four incidents in Bangkok referred to by Tawatchai.

He also said security-camera footage showed a man exiting Room 202 not long before the explosion.

Nonthaburi provincial police chief Pol Maj-General Supphakij Srijantha-ranont said people living near the apartment building said they saw a middle-aged woman in a Muslim headscarf visiting Samai, but there had not yet been any evidence linking the insurgency in the South with a gold-coloured Toyota pickup truck with a Narathiwat licence plate he was using.

Police found an AK-47 assault rifle with two loaded magazines in a bag in the room, a number of compact discs titled "The New Thai State", two air-con coolant tanks in good condition, and a large bag of urea-based fertiliser. Witnesses told police Samai brought three bags into his room on Tuesday afternoon, before the explosion occurred, at around 5.30pm.

A Department of Special Investiga-tion (DSI) source yesterday warned of "escalation in violence now by the men in black through underground operations" - from incidents previously aimed merely at causing disruption to an increase in the scale of the violence.

The DSI and the police have not found links between the bombing and 11 men apprehended after alleged weapons training at a Chiang Mai resort.

Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, an arch-rival of the red-shirt movement, said he believed there would be no violent attacks during a PAD gathering today to mark a clash with police two years ago. A large number of PAD supporters are expected to gather at the Royal Plaza early today before they move to the ASTV compound at 10am, and stay there until 8pm.

The Pheu Thai Party, which is allied to the red-shirt movement, called for fairness from society before fingering it over the Nonthaburi bomb.

-- The Nation 2010-10-07

Related topic:

At Least Three Dead In Bomb Blast At Bangkok Apartment Building

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[webfact]

Still no trace of bomb-flat resident

By The Nation

Investigators trying to trace the whereabouts of a red-shirt supporter whose rented room was the source of Tuesday's fatal explosion at Nonthaburi, took their search to Chiang Mai yesterday.

They searched the home of Samai Wongsuwan in Hang Dong district but still cannot determine whether he is alive, or one of four people killed in the blast.

Police said Samai's wife, Buakham Muangma, told them he was a staunch red supporter and returned home only once after joining the red-shirt protests in May, before leaving three months ago.

Samai was on the run following an arrest, on an unknown date, by Mae Ping police in Chiang Mai for possessing explosives. Nothing illegal was found in the home yesterday where Buakham lives.

A fourth body, partly charred and badly mutilated beyond recognition, was retrieved for autopsy and identification from Samarn Metta Mansion where the explosion occurred.

A housemaid at the apartment said Samai rented Room 202, the source of the blast, no more than two weeks ago, with a couple. He was quiet and made no contact with fellow residents. The three brought with them clothes, personal belongings, and a cardboard box, she recounted.

-- The Nation 2010-10-07

[webfact]

Building at centre of blast closed off, declared disaster zone

By Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

Noppadol Srithaveekard

The Nation

The Samarn Metta Mansion, a five-storey rental apartment building in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, where a deadly explosion erupted on Tuesday, has been roped off and declared a disaster zone.

"The key structure has been damaged beyond repair. The mansion may collapse," Wisit Thongprom, a state civil engineer, said yesterday after he inspected the scene.

Apart from the property damage, the explosion caused casualties and shattered the lives of many people.

At least four people were killed, with a fourth body being retrieved from the rubble yesterday. Among the dead was Apirak Sajjabanyongkij.

Apirak left behind his Laotian wife, Phin.

"I feel so sad. I really have no idea what to do next," the 21-year-old woman lamented. Although she and her husband shared the same surname, they had not yet officially registered their marriage.

Phin and Apirak had worked for a fish business operated by relatives of the building's owner, Samarn Boonprasert. Their quarters were in the building's compound.

Samarn, 58, has mainly worked as a pork seller and served as a radio host in his spare time. He had hired Pattaraporn Phetnil, 38, to run the building.

Police suspect that the deadly explosion occurred while some people were trying to make bombs in one of the apartments.

Samai Wongsuwan, who moved into the building with two other people on September 23, is a prime suspect. It is believed that he was killed in the incident too.

Pattaraporn said Samai had hardly talked to his neighbours. Before the explosion took place, she saw Samai and his two friends moving baskets and a box into the building.

"After that, I never saw them again," Pattaraporn said.

Sam-ang Thongprasert, who runs a shop opposite the building, said local people would have not allowed any bomb-makers to live in their neighbourhood had they known about it.

"I've lived here for 27 years and I never thought such a terrible incident could take place in this neighbourhood," she said, adding that a young boy she knew was seriously injured in the explosion.

"He ran to me with blood pouring down from his head asking me to help him," Sam-ang said sadly.

Sorapong Klaijinda said his four-year-old son suffered a cut on his leg while fleeing the scene.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai said the families of each victim killed in the tragedy would be given Bt400,000 in compensation. Each disabled victim will receive Bt200,000, while an injured victim who has had to spend more than 20 days in hospital will be paid Bt100,000 compensation.

Those staying less than 20 days in hospital will be compensated Bt60,000 each. Victims requiring treatment as an outpatient will get Bt20,000 each.

People displaced by the explosion can stay at a vocational training centre in Nonthaburi's Pak Kret district.

Nonthaburi Governor Wichien Puttiwinyu yesterday handed out relief items and Bt2,000 financial assistance to each of 66 people affected by the explosion. Of them, 36 had lived in the Samarn Metta Mansion.

"I have lost all my belongings. They are all in my room," complained Preecha Suksawas, a 27-year-old engineer who stayed in the building.

Many affected people lived a few hundred metres away from the building.

"A wall in my townhouse has been seriously damaged," Pannee Sukhontharat said. "When I returned home and saw what happened, I was shocked."

She believed the damage to her home was about Bt1 million.

Asked about reports that a botched bomb-making attempt inside a rented apartment might have caused the explosion, Pannee wondered how anyone could do such a thing. "Have they ever thought about others? How would they feel if such things happened to their family members?"

Pannee said the explosion could have caused higher casualties if it had occurred at night. "By 7pm, people are usually around the building because the fish business is open then," she pointed out.

-- The Nation 2010-10-07

[marquess]

Sad that innocent people had to be hurt by this man's obsession to bring "democracy" to Thailand, still he won't be making anymore bombs!

[SomTumTiger]

Dead redshirt terrrorist bombmaker - score one for Karma.

[Cuchulainn]

We now know the colour of Samai's eyes.....................blue

(one blew left and one blew right).

Som nam naa.

[canuckamuck]

The reds have clearly moved into major league terrorism.

Very sad for this country to be moving this direction.

[geriatrickid]

I find it odd, that the "bomb" has been described so quickly and a cute little illustration has even been provided. The Thai police must certainly have some cutting edge technology and great expertise since they have delivered a decisive conclusion in a shorter time period than other more experienced agencies do. Yes, the damage may be consistent with a bomb. However, a complete reliable conclusion takes weeks even where there is a lot of evidence. Samples have to be taken and analyzed and that takes time. It doesn't matter who it is, the determining factor is time.

This is quite an impressive feat. looks like Thailand is now the only country in the world that can analyze data from an incident like this in near real time. Quite an accomplishment.

[whybother]

I find it odd, that the "bomb" has been described so quickly and a cute little illustration has even been provided. The Thai police must certainly have some cutting edge technology and great expertise since they have delivered a decisive conclusion in a shorter time period than other more experienced agencies do. Yes, the damage may be consistent with a bomb. However, a complete reliable conclusion takes weeks even where there is a lot of evidence. Samples have to be taken and analyzed and that takes time. It doesn't matter who it is, the determining factor is time.

This is quite an impressive feat. looks like Thailand is now the only country in the world that can analyze data from an incident like this in near real time. Quite an accomplishment.

News sources from many other countries would have had diagrams by the morning after the explosion. TIT. It takes a couple of days.

[rametindallas]

The police shot and killed a bombmaker, that he was trained with, last month; now he blows himself up. That makes 2 down and now how many to go? Hopefully the number of bombs planted will go to nill for a while while the red-shirts train new bombmakers. Regarding Thai's experience with bombs of all types, since Dr. Taksin inflamed Southern violence early in his first term, the Thai authorities probably handle more bomb cases than any country outside the Middle East.

Edited October 7, 2010 by rametindallas

[AleG]

I always wonder about the bombs that use a cell phone to go boom (not that is the case as far as I know); I get spam on my phone all the time and gets me thinking about a bomb maker getting blown to kingdom come when an SMS about some vapid "talent" contest comes through.

[rametindallas]

I always wonder about the bombs that use a cell phone to go boom (not that is the case as far as I know); I get spam on my phone all the time and gets me thinking about a bomb maker getting blown to kingdom come when an SMS about some vapid "talent" contest comes through.

I read some post years ago, when the Southern bombing was intense, where the writer suggested the phone companies ring every customers' phone randomly and regularly to possibly set off bombs prematurely. The bombers at one point were using automatic garage door opener remotes.

[Ricardo]

Very sad that anyone believes, bombing a school or a shopping-mall or the Ministry building, will somehow bring peace or justice to the country, and having stirred-up so much hatred & misunderstanding, the Red-Shirt leaders ought at least to now be condemning this sort of thing and explaining to their followers that this is not what they want them to be doing ?

Perhaps an example might be set, by the leader overseas, so that he doesn't by continuing-inaction give the false-impression, that he actually might approve of bombing-campaigns ?

[hammered]

Guess the reds cannot deny they are involved in this one. That makes their usual never accept responsibility for your own actions policy a little difficult.

[asiawatcher]

4 less to deal with, exact number of terrorists to be determined, but in real effect, those dealing with the explosive got exactly what they deserved and saved a courts time. Shame about the possible 4th collateral damage but to those with the mind set to manufacture explosive devices - Good riddance.

[OzMick]

I find it odd, that the "bomb" has been described so quickly and a cute little illustration has even been provided. The Thai police must certainly have some cutting edge technology and great expertise since they have delivered a decisive conclusion in a shorter time period than other more experienced agencies do. Yes, the damage may be consistent with a bomb. However, a complete reliable conclusion takes weeks even where there is a lot of evidence. Samples have to be taken and analyzed and that takes time. It doesn't matter who it is, the determining factor is time.

This is quite an impressive feat. looks like Thailand is now the only country in the world that can analyze data from an incident like this in near real time. Quite an accomplishment.

"Police found an AK-47 assault rifle with two loaded magazines in a bag in the room, a number of compact discs titled "The New Thai State", two air-con coolant tanks in good condition, and a large bag of urea-based fertiliser."

Simple logic will tell you what was happening; the tests will confirm it. If not, say you're sorry, and people will forgive if the logic was reasonable. Remember they have found similar intact bombs, and they have recovered a wiring set with batteries. Or do you have another more logical explanation for bomb wiring, containers and a bloody great bag of fertilizer in a second floor flat which just happened to explode?

[SomTumTiger]

I find it odd, that the "bomb" has been described so quickly and a cute little illustration has even been provided. The Thai police must certainly have some cutting edge technology and great expertise since they have delivered a decisive conclusion in a shorter time period than other more experienced agencies do. Yes, the damage may be consistent with a bomb. However, a complete reliable conclusion takes weeks even where there is a lot of evidence. Samples have to be taken and analyzed and that takes time. It doesn't matter who it is, the determining factor is time.

This is quite an impressive feat. looks like Thailand is now the only country in the world that can analyze data from an incident like this in near real time. Quite an accomplishment.

Pissing in the wind on this one GK. Red bomber caught red handed (or no handed), must really take the wind out of your sails.

[neverdie]

I find it odd, that the "bomb" has been described so quickly and a cute little illustration has even been provided. The Thai police must certainly have some cutting edge technology and great expertise since they have delivered a decisive conclusion in a shorter time period than other more experienced agencies do. Yes, the damage may be consistent with a bomb. However, a complete reliable conclusion takes weeks even where there is a lot of evidence. Samples have to be taken and analyzed and that takes time. It doesn't matter who it is, the determining factor is time.

This is quite an impressive feat. looks like Thailand is now the only country in the world that can analyze data from an incident like this in near real time. Quite an accomplishment.

Pissing in the wind on this one GK. Red bomber caught red handed (or no handed), must really take the wind out of your sails.

It won't stop some people dancing around like fools though.

[chantorn]

"The New Thai State" where can I buy this?

[canuckamuck]

Rest in pieces bomberman

[sirchai]

"The New Thai State" where can I buy this?

In Room 202 of the Samarn Metta Mansion, a bomb-maker was trying to connect electronic circuits to two home-made devices,

Please ask the cops if they allow you to make a copy of The New Thai State, probably with Thaksin as the ruler.....:jap:

[Siripon]

A well known red shirt with a long history of violence blows himself up whilat preparing an act of terrorism- and almost certainly not his first case.

Come on Jatupon, how are you going to explain this one away?

When are you going to gain a conscience and apologize for this act and the countless other red acts of violence?

[SomTumTiger]

A well known red shirt with a long history of violence blows himself up whilat preparing an act of terrorism- and almost certainly not his first case.

Come on Jatupon, how are you going to explain this one away?

When are you going to gain a conscience and apologize for this act and the countless other red acts of violence?

Why do you care what Japuporn thinks? No one else does.

[Steely Dan]

I find it odd, that the "bomb" has been described so quickly and a cute little illustration has even been provided. The Thai police must certainly have some cutting edge technology and great expertise since they have delivered a decisive conclusion in a shorter time period than other more experienced agencies do. Yes, the damage may be consistent with a bomb. However, a complete reliable conclusion takes weeks even where there is a lot of evidence. Samples have to be taken and analyzed and that takes time. It doesn't matter who it is, the determining factor is time.

This is quite an impressive feat. looks like Thailand is now the only country in the world that can analyze data from an incident like this in near real time. Quite an accomplishment.

Perhaps it was a fake bomb.

Som nam na.

Edited October 7, 2010 by Steely Dan

[Thai at Heart]

This does show that the ante is being ramped up continuously. And for those who think that having a couple of bombmakers removed will stop this, I really fear not.

I really don't see this ending easily or without considerable bloodshed. They have burnt down major buildings. There have been little bombs, and now one accidentally very big one. I think we have to be prepared for this situation going on and increasing in severity for a long time.

I have heard some stories doing the rounds (from openly red people) about people in the current government accusing them of things that not one person would have dared whisper 10 years ago. The propaganda that has been put out there to the reds, and the political situation that the country is in, means that these people believe that they should fight the status quo. They believe they have "right" and some weird kind of destiny or fate on their side and that they should bring change to the country. It is a very worrying time, and I see this as the calm before the next storm.

Doesn't look good for near future I fear.

[Netfan]

Very sad that anyone believes, bombing a school or a shopping-mall or the Ministry building, will somehow bring peace or justice to the country, and having stirred-up so much hatred & misunderstanding, the Red-Shirt leaders ought at least to now be condemning this sort of thing and explaining to their followers that this is not what they want them to be doing ?

Perhaps an example might be set, by the leader overseas, so that he doesn't by continuing-inaction give the false-impression, that he actually might approve of bombing-campaigns ?

They, the red shirts, UDD, whatever other names they use, do not want peace or justice or understanding or democracy. They want a failed state so that their beloved leader can walk back in and turn the country back into his own private company.

[hammered]

A well known red shirt with a long history of violence blows himself up whilat preparing an act of terrorism- and almost certainly not his first case.

Come on Jatupon, how are you going to explain this one away?

When are you going to gain a conscience and apologize for this act and the countless other red acts of violence?

Dont hold your breath Jatuporn was a vile creation long before he entered politics and things ahvent got any better. You are talking about a right piece of work in this odious creation

[Roachiebkk]

"The New Thai State" where can I buy this?

Wonder what the visa regulations will be like.

[sunanta]

I find it odd, that the "bomb" has been described so quickly and a cute little illustration has even been provided. The Thai police must certainly have some cutting edge technology and great expertise since they have delivered a decisive conclusion in a shorter time period than other more experienced agencies do. Yes, the damage may be consistent with a bomb. However, a complete reliable conclusion takes weeks even where there is a lot of evidence. Samples have to be taken and analyzed and that takes time. It doesn't matter who it is, the determining factor is time.

This is quite an impressive feat. looks like Thailand is now the only country in the world that can analyze data from an incident like this in near real time. Quite an accomplishment.

unless you are lookin for a blue diamond

[lungmi]

"The New Thai State" where can I buy this?

Montenegro