A bomb was thrown at the Santiasoke center earlier this morning, causing minor damage.

A bomb was thrown at the Santi Asoke (สันติอโศก) center earlier this morning, causing minor damages.

At around 2.20 AM today, Lieutenant-colonel Phirom Chantaphirom (ภิรมย์ จันทาภิรมย์), commander of the Bueng-koom (บึงกุ่ม) police station was alerted about the bomb at the Santi Asoke center. He went to inspect the crime scene and found that the garden in front of the center’s building was bombed and damaged. The nearby areas, including about 8 houses, were also damaged.

Venerable Bhodhirak (สมณะ โพธิรักษ์), the founder of Santi Asoke (สันติอโศก) center said that he heard the bomb went off at around 1.55 AM. He said that he came out and found that the center’s front area had been damaged. Residents living nearby said that they heard motorcycles coming to the center, but did not see who the driver was.

The Santi Asoke center has been founded for 30 years. The center welcomes all who want to practise Dharma, therefore, the compound is open at night.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 Febuary 2006

Interior Minister: bombing is not related to the government.

Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) expressed belief that the bombing at Santi Asoke (สันติอโศก) center earlier this morning was perpetrated by a third party who want to create a situation.

Air Chief Marshal Kongsak commented on the bombing at the center at 2AM this morning, that he expected that the attack was carried out by a third party to create the situation, as the Santi Asoke center has announced that it will participate in the February 26 rally. He insisted that the government is not involved in the attack, and urged all sides to exercise judgment. He added that peaceful demonstration will demonstrate that the people understand democracy.

The Interior minister added that the cabinet has agreed to raise the salaries of district and village chiefs, but said that this is not aimed at preparing for a new election, as suggested by many parties.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 Febuary 2006

Justice Minister believes that the explosion at Santi Asoke is not related to demonstration on Feb 26th

Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) said htat he believes the explosion at Santi Asoke (สันติอโศก) center is not related to the demonstration on February 26th.

He said the explosion at Soi Nawamin 46 is not related to Major-general Chamlong Srimuang (จำลอง ศรีเมือง) and the demonstration on this Sunday at Sanam Luang.

He said that he has not been received the report of the demonstration; however, he predicts that violence will not occur during the event. Gen Chidchai will have lunch with PM Thaksin Shinawatra at the Government House.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 Febuary 2006

Justice Minister believes that the explosion at Santi Asoke is not related to demonstration on Feb 26th

Better get one of these then.

Police to seek for attackers who bombed the Santi_asoke center yesterday

Police are currently working to find the assailants that threw a bomb into the Santi_asoke (สันติอโศก) center, while the leaders of the Santi_asoke Buddhist sect believe the bombing was a threat made to deter them from participating in the February 26th demonstration.

Police Colonel Phinit Maneerat (พินิจ มณีรัตน์), spokesperson of the Metropolitan Police, said the bombing of the Santi_asoke center in Bungkum (บึงกุ่ม) district in Bangkok involved explosives of the type used only to create noise. It is believed the assailants wanted to make a threat and stir up chaos. Police have been dispatched to provide security at the Santi_asoke center and any civic movement group that felt their safety compromised may request police manpower for protection.

Royal Thai Police Spokesperson Achirawit Suphannaphaysat (อชิรวิทย์ สุพรรณเภสัช) said the bomb was similiar to the ones used in the attack on Manager Newspaper and the Ministry of Interior.

In the meantime, Maj. Gen. Chamlong Srimuang (จำลอง ศรีเมือง) believe the bomb attack was meant to deter his Buddhist sect from joining the demonstration on February 26th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 Febuary 2006

Police Colonel Phinit Maneerat (พินิจ มณีรัตน์), spokesperson of the Metropolitan Police, said the bombing of the Santi_asoke center in Bungkum (บึงกุ่ม) district in Bangkok involved explosives of the type used only to create noise.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 Febuary 2006

In which case it is strange that the pictures of the damage, shown on TV & front-pages of Thai newspapers, show a hole to have been blown in the steel-reinforced concrete. Do 'flash-bangs' normally cause this sort of damage, or might the officer perhaps be mistaken, or misled by his forensic-team ?

I read somewhere today that it was the same device used at the Manager newspaper headquarters.