Government denies involvement in bomb attack against Manager Newspaper

BANGKOK: -- The government has denied any alleged involvement in a bomb attack against Manager Newspaper, a leading Thai newspaper, Thursday night, saying police investigation on the case will be accelerated and perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee on Friday dismissed the allegation as totally groundless, asserting that the government never has a policy to resort to any violent mean against local media.

Some critics have said that the government might have involved in the bomb attack against 'Ban Phra Arthit'--the publisher of Manager Newspaper on Phra Arthit Road here--following a recent move by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to lodge a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper.

"The government never involves in such the turbulent act--definitely. Although the government disagreed with some articles published in the newspaper, the state opted to take legal action against it and the case is pending a court verdict. The government never has a policy to resort to any violent mean against local media," the government spokesman reiterated.

The incident took place around 10:00 p.m. Thursday when unidentified attackers hurled a plastic bomb into 'Ban Phra Arthit, causing a small hole in its front yard and damaging part of the front gate of the building.

However, there were no reports of any casualties.

Dr. Surapong said the incident might have caused by third-hand perpetrators intending to stiring a conflict between the state and the media.

He blamed the violent act, vowing that police investigation on the case would be accelerated and the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

--TNA 2005-11-04

GOVERNMENT HAS NO CONNECTION WITH THE BOMB BLAST AT THE OFFICE OF MANAGER NEWSPAPER

Government Spokesman SURAPONG SUEBWONGLEE (สุรพงษ์ สืบวงศ์ลี) talked about the bomb blast incident at the office of the Manager Newspaper last night. He stated that the government condemns such action even though no injuries have been reported. Meanwhile, the government is urgently hunting down those who were responsible for the explosion.

Dr. SURAPONG said the intention for those who created the situation was to aggravate the conflict between Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the mass media.

He added that people may assume the circumstance arose due to the conflict between Prime Minister THAKSIN SHINAWATRA and the media tycoon, Mr. SONTHI LIMTHONGKUL (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล), earlier last month. However, he has confirmed that government has no connection with the incident since the government would not gain anything from this atrocious action.

The Government Spokesman insisted that the government has given importance to the mass media, and the government also supports their freedom to present the news.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 November 2005

Very Suspicious.

Are they really that sensitive that they dain to reply to accusations like this??

Or perhaps there is some truth in it??

You have to admit that they don't really have a lot to gain from such an act. Would make a lot more sense for someone who wanted to cause more trouble for Toxin to do it.

MEDIA TYCOON SONTHI LIMTHOGKUL DENIES CONNECTIONS WITH LAST NIGHT'S BOMBINGS

Founder of Manager Newspaper Sonthi Limthongkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล) denies allegations he provoked the bombing incident at Ban Phra Arthit, the headquarters of Manager Media Group, last night just after 10pm.

Government spokesperson SURAPONG SUEBWONGLEE (สุรพงษ์ สืบวงศ์ลี) said that the government had nothing to do with the bombing incident. He said the incident could likely stem from a third party with intention to instill conflicts between Mr Sonthi and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Mr. Sonthi personally thinks that the situation is considered to be inappropriate no matter who is behind it. The bomb caused damage to foliage planted along the interior of the concrete wall. The wall itself appeared to have not sustained any damage. Due to the late hour, few employees were left in the compound and no one was injured.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันศุกร์ที่ 4 พฤศจิกายน 2548

Looks like a hub of denial to me.

OPPOSITION PARTY DEMANDS GOVERNMENT TO SPECIFY TIME FOR POLICE OFFICERS IN HUNTING DOWN THE BOMBERS OF MANAGER NEWSPAPER BUILDING

The Opposition has considered that the government should specify the time frame for police officers in hunting down those who were responsible for the explosion at the Manager Newspaper office at BAN PHRA ARTHIT (บ้านพระอาทิตย์), in order to avoid any ambiguity.

Deputy Spokesperson of the Democrat Party SATHIT PITUTECHA (สาธิต ปิตุเตชะ) commented on the situation where the founder of Manager Newspaper, Mr. SONTHI LIMTHONGKUL (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล), was threatened by the bombing incident at the building of Manager Newspaper last week. He indicated that a group of people in UDON THANI (อุดรธานี) Province are currently carrying signs with offensive and threatening messages towards Mr. SONTHI.

Mr. SATHIT said that the matter was considered to be offensive, with an aim to blemish the reputation of Mr. SONTHI and Manager Newspaper as well. He added that even though the government has clarified the case, but there has been no progress in hunting down the bombers.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 7 พฤศจิกายน 2548