Five Dead, Dozens Wounded In Thai South Car Bomb

[webfact]

Six dead, dozens wounded in Thai south car bomb

Sai Buri, Thailand, Sept 21, 2012 (AFP) - At least six people were killed and 40 more wounded Friday after a car bomb exploded in a packed market in Thailand's insurgency-hit south, officials told AFP.

Nurses scrambled to attend to the wave of bloodied casualties in the main hospital in Sai Buri town, an AFP reporter at the scene said, adding blood donations were urgently required to help the wounded.

"There are six dead now, three men and three women," a Public Health ministry official said in Bangkok, a toll confirmed by the local hospital.

"Altogether 41 people have been wounded either from shrapnel or burns," she said, adding 19 "seriously injured" people had been ferried to bigger provincial hospitals.

An army spokesman said militants opened fire on shops in Sai Buri town centre shortly after Friday prayers in the Muslim-majority region to lure security forces to the scene, before detonating the bomb.

A complex insurgency calling for greater autonomy has plagued Thailand's Muslim-majority far south near the border with Malaysia since 2004, claiming more than 5,300 lives, both Buddhist and Muslim, with near daily bomb or gun attacks.

The bomb, which sparked a fire that destroyed several shops, was meant as a warning to locals not to talk with security forces after nearly 100 suspected militants "surrendered" last week, according to Colonel Pramote Prom-in, an army spokesman in the south.

"The perpetrators are the hardcore and do not want a peaceful solution (to the conflict) so they wanted to terrorise residents not to take side with government," Pramote said. "But it will not affect the government's efforts."

In response to an increase in violence over the summer, authorities in Thailand, a predominantly Buddhist country, said they had renewed peace talks with militant leaders.

"Don't call it negotiations... but there are talks to achieve peace which is a crucial government policy," Yutthasak Sasiprapa, deputy prime minister in charge of national security, said in August.

But the attacks have continued.

Analysts say the lattice of militant groups operating in the lush, forested three southernmost provinces are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to carry out co-ordinated assaults.

Dozens of members of Thailand's security forces have been killed in recent weeks in ambushes and roadside bombs, while civilians perceived to have collaborated with Thai authorities are also routinely executed.

A series of car bombs killed 14 people and injured more than 500 in April in the deadliest attacks to hit the insurgency-torn far south of Thailand in recent years.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-09-21

//this is an update. First report mentioned 5 victims

[webfact]

Six killed, 39 injured in Pattani car bomb attack

The Nation

PATTANI: -- Insurgents fired at a gold shop in this southern border province before detonated a car bomb, killing six people and injuring 39 others, police said.

The explosion occurred at about 12:40 pm in the business area of Sai Buri district.

About five insurgents opened fire at the Kamolphan gold shop and when police and rangers rushed to check the scene. Although the officials tried to block onlookers away, a huge crowd gathered to watch. The explosion occurred about 20 minutes later after the officials arrived at the scene.

-- The Nation 2012-09-21

[Katipo]

Once the flame of fundamentalism is ignited in a person's, it's nearly impossible to extinguish.

[simple1]

Terrible... my heart goes out to the victims, families and friends of the dead and injured innocent civilians

[webfact]

Decoy car bomb ambush kills 5, injures many in Pattani

PATTANI, Sept 21 – Five people were killed and scores, most of them policemen, were injured in an explosion near a busy marketplace in this violence-plagued province in Thailand’s deep South today.

Two persons died at the scene near the municipality fresh market in Saiuburi district's Tambon Taluban. Three others were pronounced dead at hospital.

Bomb experts who inspected the scene said a home-made bomb was put in a sedan bearing a counterfeit license plate. The vehicle was parked in front of a motorcycle shop, across the street from a gold shop.

Before the explosion, gunmen fired at the gold shop, located opposite the motorcycle shop, after which police were tipped off and rushed to the scene.

The gold shop is only 100 metres from the police station. A large group of police officers and volunteers responded to the shattered gold shop, only to be caught in an apparent decoy trap with the car bomb.

In addition to the dead, the injured included more than 10 police. Saiburi police station deputy chief Pol Lt-Col Pattanapong Thongduan was among the seriously injured. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-21

[GentlemanJim]

Ba**ards!

[transam]

The perpetrators will rot in their hell. Noooooooooooooooooo virgins for killing the innocent.

Perhaps they should try finding a girl friend, or a job.

[Rancid]

As it was a command directly from God to kill infidels then it isn't murder, it is the will of God. God is saddemed by the plight of Muslims as he only loves those that love Islam, and so He righteously commands that non-believers must die, the more horribly and painful the better. Of course only the righteous bombers and beheaders can hear the word of God, so those who are dogs in the gaze of God must take that at face value.

Unfortunately the ignorant, uneducated and fanatical (which encompasses both) actually believe such nonsense, as such they are not a pestilance that will not disappear quickly. Like the Christian nut cases before them religion is a tool of control for the religious elite, dogma is enforced through fear and mind control of the masses with no objective thought.

Have a look at some old movies, where the Arab was painted in a postive light, intelligent and discerning, so once upon a time things weren't like they are now. The US oil grab (which only benefits the greedy few) has ignited the problem, whether they are totally the cause or just fanned the existing flames is open to debate, but regardless the era of irrational Muslim violence is now upon us, and surrender via Western PC is certainly not the answer. I suspect that neither is more wars.

So very sad for the victims and their families who will continue to suffer, while those resposible sleep free of any remorse.

[Lingba]

I don't know what I'm missing here but why doesn't the central gov't send down the army in full force and institute a type of marshall law until things get thoroughly cleaned up...or don't they have that desire and/or manpower?

[philw]

Most parties in Thailand and the world recognise that what is happening in the south of Thailand is a political and social problem more than a religious issue.

Please try and keep the religious hate crap out of this.

[jerrysteve]

WELL NOW! It doesn't appear that the Peace Talks are going to good!!

How many more innocent people have to die??

"The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the the answer is blowing in the wind." Bob Dylan

I just can't understand how blowing innocent people up helps them reach their goal.

Neither side is getting anywhere

.

[transam]

Most parties in Thailand and the world recognise that what is happening in the south of Thailand is a political and social problem more than a religious issue.

Please try and keep the religious hate crap out of this.

Rubbish. Chopping folk up, killing kids is political , not religious. Soooooooo pray tell me why the killing

''For Political Purposes'' is not happening elsewhere other than where Muslims are involved.

[jmdf103]

Most parties in Thailand and the world recognise that what is happening in the south of Thailand is a political and social problem more than a religious issue.

Please try and keep the religious hate crap out of this.

Most parties in Thailand and the world recognise that what is happening in the south of Thailand is a political and social problem more than a religious issue.

Please try and keep the religious hate crap out of this.

Rubbish. Chopping folk up, killing kids is political , not religious. Soooooooo pray tell me why the killing

''For Political Purposes'' is not happening elsewhere other than where Muslims are involved.

Did u think that IRA terrorist bombers would plant a bomb on a Saturday, and then stroll into church for Sunday mass the next day? Doubt they gave a crap about Catholicism, just as much as these terrorists care about Islam. These are frustrated, neglected people whose land was hijacked a century ago. In every freedom movement there is nearly always an extremist element.

[transam]

Most parties in Thailand and the world recognise that what is happening in the south of Thailand is a political and social problem more than a religious issue.

Please try and keep the religious hate crap out of this.

Most parties in Thailand and the world recognise that what is happening in the south of Thailand is a political and social problem more than a religious issue.

Please try and keep the religious hate crap out of this.

Rubbish. Chopping folk up, killing kids is political , not religious. Soooooooo pray tell me why the killing

''For Political Purposes'' is not happening elsewhere other than where Muslims are involved.

Did u think that IRA terrorist bombers would plant a bomb on a Saturday, and then stroll into church for Sunday mass the next day? Doubt they gave a crap about Catholicism, just as much as these terrorists care about Islam. These are frustrated, neglected people whose land was hijacked a century ago. In every freedom movement there is nearly always an extremist element.

BUT, not world wide.

Islamic world has vast oil resources that the world needs, WHY are these folk poor and your words ''neglected'' people . Their masters are buying up everything hi-so around the globe instead of making the people live better lives, so please don't give me the hard luck story. We have seen that ''Rulers'' spend the oil wealth on war stuff for no reason whilst folk starve.

Where is the ''Tears'' avatar for me.

[simple1]

@transam - You're being argumentative, the topic is the Deep South & you know it - please excuse for sounding like a mod

[Gone]

I think this is the beginning now to the big one here in Thailand. The king gave them that land in respect of their religion but they are obviously not respecting that. With the peace negotiations failed now I can see a bad near future and maybe time to do as my name says.

They need to deal with this NOW and the hard way: fast, hard and furiously.

[tominbkk]

Animals that deserve to be put down.

[harryfrompattaya]

Ba**ards!

I am glad you did not blame Israel or the USA for this.

[NormanChomsky]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Siamese_Treaty_of_1909

these Malays sure seem like they got good reason to be angry! Still no excuse for terrorism though

[harryfrompattaya]

Most parties in Thailand and the world recognise that what is happening in the south of Thailand is a political and social problem more than a religious issue.

Please try and keep the religious hate crap out of this.

Most parties in Thailand and the world recognise that what is happening in the south of Thailand is a political and social problem more than a religious issue.

Please try and keep the religious hate crap out of this.

Rubbish. Chopping folk up, killing kids is political , not religious. Soooooooo pray tell me why the killing

''For Political Purposes'' is not happening elsewhere other than where Muslims are involved.

Did u think that IRA terrorist bombers would plant a bomb on a Saturday, and then stroll into church for Sunday mass the next day? Doubt they gave a crap about Catholicism, just as much as these terrorists care about Islam. These are frustrated, neglected people whose land was hijacked a century ago. In every freedom movement there is nearly always an extremist element.

so if someone is frustrated with you. Than you advise them to kill you . I say they should read the Bible instead of killing you.

May God be with you

[asiawatcher]

If by killing innocents in the name of whatever motivates these *(profanity edited out)* - think again, because if the Thai's handed back this to the Islamists responsible, there is no doubt they would soon infringe and infiltrate the new border in the name of their religion and more killing will continue in the name of their brainwashed idealists. There is no place in any society for them. And violence propagates from parents the same as any feuding faction over time. And at every death there is celebration.

Is this anything like the world the future will bring for our children? These people can never integrate so they need to be amongst their own even if violence begets violence, so be it, it is the only thing they understand.

[philw]

Animals that deserve to be put down.

Animals that deserve to be put down.

You mean the Christians or the Jews or do you refer to another religious group ??

[Phatcharanan]

As it was a command directly from God to kill infidels then it isn't murder, it is the will of God. God is saddemed by the plight of Muslims as he only loves those that love Islam, and so He righteously commands that non-believers must die, the more horribly and painful the better. Of course only the righteous bombers and beheaders can hear the word of God, so those who are dogs in the gaze of God must take that at face value.

Unfortunately the ignorant, uneducated and fanatical (which encompasses both) actually believe such nonsense, as such they are not a pestilance that will not disappear quickly. Like the Christian nut cases before them religion is a tool of control for the religious elite, dogma is enforced through fear and mind control of the masses with no objective thought.

Have a look at some old movies, where the Arab was painted in a postive light, intelligent and discerning, so once upon a time things weren't like they are now. The US oil grab (which only benefits the greedy few) has ignited the problem, whether they are totally the cause or just fanned the existing flames is open to debate, but regardless the era of irrational Muslim violence is now upon us, and surrender via Western PC is certainly not the answer. I suspect that neither is more wars.

So very sad for the victims and their families who will continue to suffer, while those resposible sleep free of any remorse.

Total bollo**s

[55Jay]

I don't know what I'm missing here but why doesn't the central gov't send down the army in full force and institute a type of marshall law until things get thoroughly cleaned up...or don't they have that desire and/or manpower?

Posted 2012-09-15 14:06:35 Re: the story on insurgents surrendering:

G ood and I hope it takes.

It has to start with the people's rejection, tired of their sons, daughters, mothers and fathers being killed.

I predict (but hope against) a spike in violence by motivators to intimidate the people against jumping ship and continue to pressure the people and the government with mounting casualties, fear and chaos.

Without bigger numbers, these 90 odd folks are in danger of being made an example of. Beheading and burning a few on the road will send a 5x5 message to the population.

The people, if they are on side, and the Army, together, can proverbially run these guys into the sea.

[philw]

If you live in Thailand , amongst Thai people, you should cry about this problem for the country.

It's a big problem, and only getting bigger, and very clear heads will be needed to solve it.

I hope Khun Thai can find some solutions.

[fasteddie]

*(Edited quote deleted)*

Hogwash! this is just a separatist movement, give them back their land and dignity and the violence will stop.

[PoodMaiDai]

The religion of peace.

[webfact]

6 die, 50 hurt in Pattani blast

The Nation, Agencies

Firefighters and soldiers gather at the site of yesterday

Car bomb detonates after officials lured to scene by shooting at gold shop

PATTANI: -- Six people were killed and some 50 others injured yesterday when a bomb went off in the heart of Pattani's Sai Buri district.

It was another attack in the escalating violence in the predominantly Muslim southern border region.

The dead victims comprised three women and three men, including a local defence volunteer.

A group of insurgents first lured security officials to the scene by spraying bullets into a gold shop at noon. Some 15 minutes later a bomb hidden in a pickup truck nearby was detonated after the group of security officials and local residents had come to observe the aftermath of the shooting, according to the district chief.

The bomb attack was clearly planned to inflict maximum harm on officials and local people, as seen in the use of the shooting to lure officials to the site where a bomb was hidden, said Sai Buri district chief Kraisorn Wisitwong.

Nineteen of the injured were in serious conditions, according to a public health official.

Some 50 kilograms of explosive substance was hidden in a stolen pickup truck parked opposite Kamonphan gold shop in the district. The bomb was ignited by a radio signal. The explosion also damaged at least 28 rooms of commercial buildings in the area, police said.

Police said insurgents wanted to maintain tension and fear in the restive South to continue the momentum of their struggle against state authority.

The bomb is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the region stretching back to early 2004. The unrest has claimed more than 5,000 lives, the majority of them in the three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

Like its predecessors, the current government has failed to contain the violence and has not been able to find an effective solution to restore peace.

Yesterday's bomb, which sparked a fire that destroyed several shops, was meant as a warning to locals not to talk with security forces after nearly 100 suspected militants "surrendered" last week, according to Colonel Pramote Prom-in, an Army spokesman in the South.

"The perpetrators are the hardcore elements and do not want a peaceful solution [to the conflict] so they wanted to terrorise residents not to side with government," Pramote said. "But it will not affect the government's efforts."

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday that he believed the authorities have taken the right path in tackling the insurgency problem, although he did not think the violent attacks would end soon. "There are many groups in the [insurgency] movement," he said.

In response to an increase in violence over the summer, authorities said they had renewed peace talks with militant leaders.

"Don't call it negotiations... but there are talks to achieve peace, which is a crucial government policy," Yutthasak Sasiprapha, deputy prime minister in charge of national security, said in August.

But the attacks have continued. Analysts say the lattice of militant groups operating in the lush, forested three southernmost provinces are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to carry out co-ordinated assaults.

Dozens of members of the security forces have been killed in recent weeks in ambushes and roadside bombs, while civilians perceived to have collaborated with authorities are routinely executed.

A series of car bombs killed 14 people and injured more than 500 in April in the deadliest attacks to hit the insurgency-torn far South in recent years.

-- The Nation 2012-09-22

[noitom]

Police were "tipped off." A police tip off is usually based on inside information in advance of an event. Police going to the scene of a bomb crime after shooting, is not really a "tip off," but more of a "police were alerted."

[jerrysteve]

There is nothing, absolutely nothing worth killing for, but there are somethings worth dying for.

A statement by the famous folk singer Joan Baez during the Vietnam war.

Those words still ring true.