Bangkok Bombings: Ministry of Justice, Van

[Jai Dee]

POLICE WILL PROBE THE CASE OF BOMBING OF A PASSENGER VAN IN BANGKOK AFTER FINDING THE MOTIVES BEHIND THE BOMBING.

Police have appointed 3 investigative teams to work on the case of a passenger van in Bangkok that was bombed, after officials found the cause to have sprouted from conflicts between the van owner and influential figures.

Police Lieutenant General Witthi Phuawet (วุฒิ พัวเวส, the Commissioner –general of the Region 1 Provincial Police, said that the cause of the incident has now been concluded to have arisen from conflicts between the van owner and influential figures. 3 investigative teams have been created, comprising officials from 3 police jurisdictions. Officials are now gathering evidence and will soon call in related people for questioning. Meanwhile, officials are providing security for the owner of the bombed van.

Prime Mnister Thaksin Shinnawat has insisted that he will handle influential figures with strictness, saying that he has appointed a central committee to investigate the matter.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

50 PEOPLE INTERROGATED ON BOMBING INCIDENT AT THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Police have questioned 50 people at the Software Park building in their investigation into the bomb that went off at the Ministry of Justice, and have increased security measures to prevent any further incidents.

A C-4 bomb exploded last week at the Software Park building, which housed the Ministry of Justice and more than 80 private companies. Police are suspecting that the bomb hay have arisen from conflicts related to a private company, creation of turmoil by ill-intentioned people, the work of the Special Investigation Department in the 3 southern border provinces, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's project auctioning scandal, or political conflicts as motives for the attack.

In the meantime security has been increased at Software Park, in order to prevent further incidents from recurring.

Defense Minister Thammarak Issarangkoon Na Ayutthaya (ธรรมรักษ์ อิศรางกูล ณ อยุธยา) said he has not yet been told of any involvement of military officials in the explosion at the premise. Army commander Sonthi Bunyaratkalin (สนธิ บุญรัตกลิน) also echoed the minister's words, as he affirmed that Army personnel found to be involved with the bomb at the Justice Ministry and that on a passenger van in the Rangsit (รังสิต) area would be punished.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

CHIDCHAI: LAST FRIDAY'S BOMBING WAS NOT HAVE AIMED AT KILLING KHUNYING PORNTIP.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Police General Chidchai Wannasatit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) expressed belief that the speculation that last Friday’s bombing was aimed at killing Acting Director of the Forensic Science Institute Khunying Porntip Rojanasunand (พรทิพย์ โรจนสุนันท์) was unlikely.

Police General Chidchai said after returning from Japan that he is still reading reports on the bombing at Software Park, where the Justice Ministry’s offices are housed. He said that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and police have been told to work on the case.

As for speculation that the bombing may have been intended to kill Khunying Porntip, Police General Chidchai said that the speculation is unlikely. However, he said that the building owner had earlier discussed with him on safety system. He said that he had suggested that CCTV should be installed both inside and outside the building, adding that the cameras must cover all areas.

Meanwhile, Nontaburi police commander, Major-general Kamrop Panyakaew (คำรบ ปัญญาแก้ว) said that the police have not cut any plausible reasons behind the bombings, adding that the officials had investigated workers inside the building. He said that the police have coordinated with the DSI, but the motive behind the bombing is still unclear.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

JUSTICE MINISTER BELIEVE THE BOMB AT HIS MINISTRY RESULTED FROM LOSS OF BENEFITS BY PARTIES AFFECTED BY THE MINISTRY'S WORK

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) believes the bombing in front of the Ministry of Justice resulted from many parties' loss of benefits due to the ministry's work.

Justice Minister Chitchai said he has urged rapid working on the matter and that the National Intelligence Agency had a clear working criterion for the case. The party responsible for the attack has not been clearly determined, but Pol. Gen. Chidchai believes the motive came from the Justice Ministry's work in many aspects.

In the meantime, the Royal Thai Police have been told to erect a plan within this week, for the installation of closed-circuit cameras throughout Bangkok to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 January 2006