Panic In Pattani City After Spate Of Bombs: Thai South

[webfact]

Panic in Pattani city after spate of bombs

THE NATION

Two killed, 12 hurt by explosive devices late Saturday and yesterday

PATTANI: -- The economic future of Pattani in the far South is in a worrying state after a series of bomb attacks from Saturday night to yesterday. newsjsThe bombs killed two rangers, wounded 12 people and damaged a bar, shops and a department store in its bustling commercial district.

A bomb attack yesterday on the Pattani clock tower that left two officials dead came hot on the heels of the discovery of 10 explosive devices planted at various locations in the centre of Pattani city on Saturday night.

Police said that about noon yesterday a bomb went off outside the Big Ben restaurant at the clock tower, the busiest place in the city. The blast shattered the restaurant's windows and damaged more than 10 houses nearby, 10 motorcycles and a car.

Wiroj Chantasiri died instantly and Sukree Duerae perished on the way to a hospital. The wounded were identified as Ithipol Aresae, Sopheeya Paoji, Khatapan Sinsanong, Daranee Satienmongkol, Sukij Usoh, Ibrohem Tohsatoo, Kingkan Mahawan, Wasant Chanbuntham, Somsak Kaewmanee and Amnat Saewong.

Police said an unknown number of militants left an improvised bomb near the restaurant. The device - inflammatory substances filled in two 10-kilogram fire extinguishers - was believed to have been detonated by insurgents hiding nearby with radio communications equipment as security volunteers arrived at the scene.

At 1pm yesterday, police found a firebomb at the night market near Diana Supermarket, which had been hit by a firebomb after midnight. The fire destroyed the building and all stocks in the three-storey department store. It took 10 fire engines one hour to bring the blaze under control.

Among the 10 spots where militants planted a firebomb with the intention to destroy property and take human lives was a karaoke bar on Ramkomut Road. Witnesses said two people dressed like students came on a motorcycle and dropped the bomb in a garbage bin near the bar. A 41-year-old man was slightly hurt when it went off at 7.30pm on Saturday.

Witnesses said the militants wanted to attract security officials to the scene with the first bomb and then set off another bomb when they arrived at the bar, but residents alerted police about the hidden bomb.

After being tipped off, security officials disarmed another bomb in the form of a 30-kilogram gas tank left near a motorcycle-driven freight transporter carrying eight gallons of petrol that was believed to have been left at the scene to maximise devastation from the explosion.

Police said if the bomb had exploded, at least 20 houses would have been destroyed and a service station could have created more damage if a fire or explosion had reached it.

At a night market on Pipith Road in downtown Pattani, bomb disposal officers defused a small firebomb made with a timer, 100 matches and some petrol.

Two teenagers, who pretended to buy something from the On Witthaya stationery shop, hid a firebomb near a stack of papers. The owner, discovering this, quickly took it outside and left it at a park in front of a police station.

A grocery shop called Rungruang Kanka was also targeted. The shop owner hastily took the bomb to the middle of the road, where it was disarmed by police in time.

A building material shop spanning eight blocks of a four-storey building was struck with a fire-bomb. Two elderly workers staying in the building suffered from smoke inhalation and were hospitalised.

A kitchenware shop 300 metres away was also hit by a firebomb but the owners were prepared and put out the fire before it spread.

With the attacks happening one after the other, residents feared for their lives and carried their possessions out of their shops.

Officials were instructed to step up security in the city, as the insurgents were believed to be planning more attacks in revenge for Wednesday's ambush in Narathiwat that saw 16 comrades killed and four captured.

-- The Nation 2013-02-18

[Halion]

When will this puppet government accept that the conditions pertaining in the south of Thailand is out of control and serious measures are needed immediately in order to restore control. Impose marshall law, sweep known sympathetic villages on a house to house basis. Those caught in possesion with firearms,explosives or any militant material should be detained and charged with treason. It is most obvious that these terrorists view the police and military with total contempt and failure to redress this with force will only lead to further loss of life and property damage. There is no solution that will come from dialouge or consolatory actions.

[jamhar]

While i agree that the situation is serious, martial law maybe premature.

A stronger military and government presence is needed. Win the hearts of the people, give them hope for a future for their families, and leave little sympathy for the insurgents in the communities. My fear is that a knee jerk reaction would drive the indigenous population to the insurgents.

Regarding dialogue,

I've always like Teddy's saying "speak softly, and carry a big stick".

You just have to be willing to use it when necessary, or else, they will disregard it.

just my 2 cents.

[chainarong]

Hate to be sarcastic, it's good to see the situation is under control.

[hellodolly]

The situation will never be controlled as long as the government puts the rights of a single citizen ahead of the rights of the people.

Better interrogation methods would solve the problem in short order.

But one person might get hurt so it is better under the present outlook to let thousands die.

It is time for the government to stop protecting the individual and start protecting society.

[Thaddeus]

A daily quota of martyrs may help.

[hellodolly]

A daily quota of martyrs may help.

Could you make that a large daily quota?

[Lite Beer]

SBPAC mulls future measures after weekend attacks

BANGKOK, 18 February 2013 (NNT) - The Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre is outlining measures to protect civilians in the South against insurgent attacks.

In retaliation for the deaths of 16 militants last week, separatist insurgents staged a spate of up to 50 coordinated attacks in Pattani province over the weekend, which killed three military personnel and injured scores of bystanders.

The attacks came after the government had decided against imposing a curfew in the restive South, as community leaders remarked that it would bring more hardship to affected residents.

SBPAC secretary-general Pol Col Tawee Sodsong said mayors, superintendent chiefs and related agencies working in the three southern border provinces have been summoned for an urgent meeting. Pol Col Tawee urged local authorities to ask residents to maintain a high level of vigilance and to supply agencies with any information regarding possible future attacks. Security in the areas is expected to be stepped up in battling the insurgency.

-- NNT 2013-02-18

[jamhar]

A daily quota of martyrs may help.

Could you make that a large daily quota?

Just wanted to be clear

While i believe the sentiment is a bit harsh

I'm digg'n the humor

[hellodolly]

A daily quota of martyrs may help.

Could you make that a large daily quota?

Just wanted to be clear

While i believe the sentiment is a bit harsh

I'm digg'n the humor

I agree but by the same token the sooner the martyrs are gone the fewer innocent people will be killed.

I suppose you would call it the best of two bad situations. At the rate they are going there will be many more innocent's killed than martyrs in waiting.

Some body want to call ahead and have Allah lay in a large stock of virgins.