Tuesday Blast 'Not Linked To Terrorism, Hezbollah': Thai Govt Figures

[webfact]

BOMBS

Tuesday blast 'not linked to terrorism, Hezbollah'

The Nation

Photo: Sukul Kerdnaimongkol

BANGKOK: -- The government does not consider the blasts in Bangkok on Tuesday an act of terrorism and that the botched bombing attempt has nothing to do with the militant group Hezbollah, government figures said yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha, who is in charge of security affairs, told the House of Representatives yesterday that the explosions had been caused by bombs that were intended to kill individuals, not a large group of people.

He said the men involved in the explosions were not from Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based. However, he said, he was still waiting for verification as to whether the men were indeed Iranian nationals.

"The components of the bombs are not of the same type as the ones made by Hezbollah," said Yuthasak, who was previously defence minister.

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul also said yesterday that the men behind the blasts had no links to Hezbollah as "they are not of the same nationality". He also dismissed any connection between the blasts in Bangkok and the attacks earlier this week in India and Georgia, which were allegedly meant to target Israeli diplomats. However, magnets were found in the bombs used in Bangkok, which were similar to the ones used in the other two countries.

Yuthasak and Surapong were responding to a query posed by opposition Democrat MP Thana Chirawinit. They were speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Hezbollah, which literally means "Party of God", is a Shi'ite Muslim militant group and political party based in Lebanon. It is believed to receive financial and political support from Iran and Syria.

Yuthasak said yesterday that Tuesday's blasts affected Thailand's security, adding that state agencies had been ordered to beef up security following the incident.

"With the increased conflict between Middle Eastern and Western countries, Thai security agencies will have to intensify their work," he said.

The foreign minister added that other countries had confidence in the Thai security agencies, as he expressed concern about the negative news targeting the government as well as the rumours swirling after the incident.

-- The Nation 2012-02-17

[laurentbkk]

Not linked to terrorism ....ok just an angry guy that the taxi refuse to take and some crazy police who were running after this poor guy .... and of course those 3 men were just having quiet holidays playing around with some explosive ... but no , this is not linked to terrorism.

[REM]

Wow, so in three days the amazing Thai security figured it all out, based on circumstantial evidence!!!! So amazing!!! If the only the rest of the world were as effective at solving these problems as the Thais are!!!

I can't wait to see what miracle they have for the floods, reconciliation, tablet PC's and rice prices!!!!!!

[Estrada]

Amazing Thailand: "The Government does not consider Tuesday's bombings an act of terrorism" as they were designed to hurt targeted individuals only.

So the 30 years or so of terrorist activity in the South of Thailand is not considered to be acts of terrorism by the Thai Government since they are attacks on individuals, teachers, monks, officials, policemen etc. Terrorism is an act that causes terror to the people. These acts, including Tuesday's, are designed to terrify and were carried out by trained bombers, therefore it is an act of terrorism. The Government Minister is just ineptly trying to play it down due to the possible affect it could have on tourism.

[anterian]

Amazing Thailand: "The Government does not consider Tuesday's bombings an act of terrorism" as they were designed to hurt targeted individuals only.

So the 30 years or so of terrorist activity in the South of Thailand is not considered to be acts of terrorism by the Thai Government since they are attacks on individuals, teachers, monks, officials, policemen etc. Terrorism is an act that causes terror to the people. These acts, including Tuesday's, are designed to terrify and were carried out by trained bombers, therefore it is an act of terrorism. The Government Minister is just ineptly trying to play it down due to the possible affect it could have on tourism.

I agree except for this bit, " trained bombers". They seem singularly untrained to me. If, as is now being suggested, the house was being used to train terrorists in bomb making, I would suggest the students failed the exam. They blew it!!

[Ricardo]

If killing individuals for political-reasons isn't terrorism, doesn't that also let certain black-shirted people off-the-hook, too ? As in, there were no riots or grenade-attacks or shootings in Bangkok last year, only "minor symbolic acts", as Deputy-PM Chalerm phrases it.

I beg to disagree !

[Thaddeus]

On the world stage it is what the rest of the world thinks that is important, not the Thai government. But of course I honestly believe that they think the rest of the world will just take their word for it.

(as time goes by the use of the word government here has less association with its definition)

[tominbkk]

Open up the guy's stumps and start dipping them in salt water. We need answers, not some BIB's lazy guess.

[airconsult]

Amazing Thailand: "The Government does not consider Tuesday's bombings an act of terrorism" as they were designed to hurt targeted individuals only.

So the 30 years or so of terrorist activity in the South of Thailand is not considered to be acts of terrorism by the Thai Government since they are attacks on individuals, teachers, monks, officials, policemen etc. Terrorism is an act that causes terror to the people. These acts, including Tuesday's, are designed to terrify and were carried out by trained bombers, therefore it is an act of terrorism. The Government Minister is just ineptly trying to play it down due to the possible affect it could have on tourism.

Umm, you know actually I agree with you, but I thought I should point out that actually (as far as I am aware), only one person arrested in the South has ever been charged with terrorism - he was the leader of a group - all others have been charged with offences such as bomb-making, murder, possession of explosives..... etc

Cheers

[airconsult]

If killing individuals for political-reasons isn't terrorism, doesn't that also let certain black-shirted people off-the-hook, too ? As in, there were no riots or grenade-attacks or shootings in Bangkok last year, only "minor symbolic acts", as Deputy-PM Chalerm phrases it.

I beg to disagree !

The committee for truth & reconciliation agrees with your first statement. Not sure that I entirely agree with them, but I can understand the careful reasoning behind it.

[TheGhostWithin]

Terrorism has two forms: Terrorists which act alone, in a single or series of events to communicate their views to the public. A high cost of life to ensure quick and extensive communication with others.

The second form, is whereby multiple persons act in a single coordinated movement to undertake a single or multiple plans to achieve a wider goal. As you know, these are referred to as cells. The cells of Hezbollah, are typically 4-5 men teams, use women and children to distract the target, and each member of the team is specialised and trained in advance for their roles. The operatives they train with are not always the people they will carry out their operations with, this removes the chances of emotion affecting the outcome of an operation.

Bombing teams, are seperate from bomb making teams, who work in bomb making houses, and are not supposed to know the bombing teams directly. A middle man, "a fence" will interact between the bomb making house and the bomb running teams.

My point is, the men which were caught with their pants down, hanging from the trees, were not a bomb running team. This was a bomb factory, something went wrong. The bomb running team(s), are still active. The actions committed by the attackers were desperate actions to justify their failures, either in this life to their superiors, or to allah in the next life.

You may find, both persons from the south, as well as more western looking Iranians, Lebonese, or Syrian, could be used to "blend in" more with their respective targets, as it would be more difficult for a Thai with a backpack to get into Khao San at night with a backpack, but easier for a westerner. Conversely, harder for a westerner to get into a Thai Police station and sit with a Police captain, or take their food stall filled with bombs and sit it outside the Israeli Embassy, than it would be for a Thai.

Edited February 17, 2012 by TheGhostWithin

[Rosco911]

Amazing Thailand: "The Government does not consider Tuesday's bombings an act of terrorism" as they were designed to hurt targeted individuals only.

So the 30 years or so of terrorist activity in the South of Thailand is not considered to be acts of terrorism by the Thai Government since they are attacks on individuals, teachers, monks, officials, policemen etc. Terrorism is an act that causes terror to the people. These acts, including Tuesday's, are designed to terrify and were carried out by trained bombers, therefore it is an act of terrorism. The Government Minister is just ineptly trying to play it down due to the possible affect it could have on tourism.

Agree. What must the rest of world be thinking after reading the official statement, "The Government does not consider Tuesday's bombings an act of terrorism" Possibly the next statement will be, Thailand the hub of friendly bomb makers.

[WunMoneyBunny]

Quote from #1webfact article above by The Nation: "Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul also said yesterday that the men behind the blasts had no links to Hezbollah as "they are not of the same nationality".

Quote from 16/02/12 article by The Nation: "Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul yesterday said Thai authorities have not described Tuesday's incident as an act of terrorism. But he urged terrorist groups not to include Thailand in their plots.

"I would like to ask people who think of plots harmful to Thailand to stop them. And I ask terrorists not to use Thailand as their base," he said.

Subsequent quote from an imaginary official: "We are aware that Thailand is a very attractive destination for all types of foreigners, including Iranians. It might be difficult therefore, even for terrorists, to avoid being drawn into our lovely kingdom. Further, the terrorists might find that their commanders have compelled them to ignore the Foreign Minister's appeals to not use Thailand as a base. We can understand the need for each operative to follow their leaders' instructions, but may we remind them that there is also a need to respect the immigration regulations of Thailand.

"Should any terrorist be here for more than 90 days, he is required by law, to complete a 90-day report & submit it to the nearest immigration office. If we subsequently need to contact any terrorist urgently, this information will be of great value in helping to locate him. Please understand that these regulations exist for your benefit as well as ours."

"Should an accidental explosion occur like the most recent one where a non-terrorist Iranian immigrant tragically lost his legs, we will need to immediately contact his terrorist companions to advise them to collect his shoes, as he no longer needs them. Without the 90-day report, this otherwise simple procedure will become a problem for the authorities."

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Very strange that the BKK bomber guys (and woman) all seemed to have plans for fleeing back to Iran after their plan blew up in their faces....

They weren't buying tickets to Israel or to the U.S. or any other country... But back to Iran (and presumably their homeland.) I'm sure all the wingnut conspiracy theorists posting around here lately have taken note of that fact.

[unanimosity]

Police chief Gen. Prewpan Dhamapong said that Thai authorities "know for certain that (the target) was Israeli diplomats."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.c.../#ixzz1mY65E3J0

[noitom]

"Not linked to terrorism," yet in the same newspaper today, there is another story indicating that three more people making a total of six have been identified by "Thai intelligence," an appropriate oxymoron.

[Card]

"The foreign minister added that other countries had confidence in the Thai security agencies"

Better ask them first before you believe this. Better still, ask the farangs who actually live here.

[KKK]

This is yet another 'face saving' by the Thais..it has nothing to do with reality......I think it pretty obvious the bombings were related to an act of terrorism even if the actual release of the bombs was not what the bombers intended. They had intended them to be used in an act of terrorism....The Thai government is lying about it in an attempt to cover up the fact that they said terrorism was under control and terrorism warnings issued by various nations should be withdrawn....

To the Israelies / Iranians / Lebonese who want to play at terrorism games please do it in your own countries and leave Thailand alone...your fight has nothing to do with us.....

[spidermike007]

Yuthasak said yesterday that Tuesday's blasts affected Thailand's security, adding that state agencies had been ordered to beef up security following the incident.

"With the increased conflict between Middle Eastern and Western countries, Thai security agencies will have to intensify their work," he said.

The foreign minister added that other countries had confidence in the Thai security agencies, as he expressed concern about the negative news targeting the government as well as the rumours swirling after the incident.

Giving these goombahs more weapons, is like asking my 9 year old neighbors son, to guard the house. These men are fabulously incompetent, as is the Thai army, and the Thai police. The foreign minister is just making crap up, on a minute by minute basis. Other countries have confidence in the Thai security agencies? Name one. Maybe Yemen. Maybe. Maybe Surinam. Maybe. What have they done to earn that confidence, besides set up 100 roadblocks in the south?

[Jingthing]

...

To the Israelies / Iranians / Lebonese who want to play at terrorism games please do it in your own countries and leave Thailand alone...your fight has nothing to do with us.....

Israel didn't bring the conflict here. Unless you think having an embassy here and Israeli tourists here is "bringing" it here. Edited February 17, 2012 by Jingthing

[chrisinth]

Amazing Thailand: "The Government does not consider Tuesday's bombings an act of terrorism" as they were designed to hurt targeted individuals only.

So the 30 years or so of terrorist activity in the South of Thailand is not considered to be acts of terrorism by the Thai Government since they are attacks on individuals, teachers, monks, officials, policemen etc. Terrorism is an act that causes terror to the people. These acts, including Tuesday's, are designed to terrify and were carried out by trained bombers, therefore it is an act of terrorism. The Government Minister is just ineptly trying to play it down due to the possible affect it could have on tourism.

If a known terrorist carries out an assasination, is this classed as an act of terror or is it murder?

What happened on Tuesday, IMHO was not a planned anything but a total screw-up from start to finish. Sure, it scared some people, but some fireworks scare the cr*p out of me.

Condolences to those that were injured BTW

[harleyclarkey]

The foreign minister added that other countries had confidence in the Thai security agencies...!!!!... ,

This is laughable if it were not so serious. Like a lot of other issues with Thailand this guy just does not believe in reality. Does he actually believe the world does not know about the military being involved in logging in protected areas? Allowing the flow of drugs?

That the police are not involved in property scams (as is now being shown in Phuket), corruption and fraud?

[harleyclarkey]

To the Israelies / Iranians / Lebonese who want to play at terrorism games please do it in your own countries and leave Thailand alone...your fight has nothing to do with us.....

No KKK. The Israelies have every right to be in Thailand, as have every other law abiding person from whatever country.

These nuts came with explosives to do harm, murder and mayhem. They are the ones to keep their vile ideals and weaponery in their countries.

Does anyone here believe that a fly can't crap in Iran without the authorities authorising it?

Edited February 17, 2012 by harleyclarkey

[unanimosity]

This is yet another 'face saving' by the Thais..it has nothing to do with reality......I think it pretty obvious the bombings were related to an act of terrorism even if the actual release of the bombs was not what the bombers intended. They had intended them to be used in an act of terrorism....The Thai government is lying about it in an attempt to cover up the fact that they said terrorism was under control and terrorism warnings issued by various nations should be withdrawn....

To the Israelies / Iranians / Lebonese who want to play at terrorism games please do it in your own countries and leave Thailand alone...your fight has nothing to do with us.....

Oh, that'll work. You have been reading the Obamanist Manifesto, haven't you.

[unanimosity]

Yuthasak said yesterday that Tuesday's blasts affected Thailand's security, adding that state agencies had been ordered to beef up security following the incident.

"With the increased conflict between Middle Eastern and Western countries, Thai security agencies will have to intensify their work," he said.

The foreign minister added that other countries had confidence in the Thai security agencies, as he expressed concern about the negative news targeting the government as well as the rumours swirling after the incident.

Giving these goombahs more weapons, is like asking my 9 year old neighbors son, to guard the house. These men are fabulously incompetent, as is the Thai army, and the Thai police. The foreign minister is just making crap up, on a minute by minute basis. Other countries have confidence in the Thai security agencies? Name one. Maybe Yemen. Maybe. Maybe Surinam. Maybe. What have they done to earn that confidence, besides set up 100 roadblocks in the south?

They've fined 200 baht for driving while not wearing a shirt.