Bomb Blast At General Prem's Residence

[lopburi3]

A powerful bomb exploded at a police booth in front of residence of Privy Council's chairman Gen Prem Tinsulanond on Wednesday, injuring two foreign nationals, police said.

The powerful explosion took place about 2.05 pm. The shrapnels damaged a parked car several metres away on the opposite side of the four-lane road.

It was reported that Gen Prem is in his residence when the blast happened.

Police immediately cordoned off the area to collect the evidence.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/09...es_20002362.php

[marquess]

opburi3' date='2006-03-09 07:51:37' post='672223']

A powerful bomb exploded at a police booth in front of residence of Privy Council's chairman Gen Prem Tinsulanond on Wednesday, injuring two foreign nationals, police said.

The powerful explosion took place about 2.05 pm. The shrapnels damaged a parked car several metres away on the opposite side of the four-lane road.

It was reported that Gen Prem is in his residence when the blast happened.

Police immediately cordoned off the area to collect the evidence.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/09...es_20002362.php

I wonder who is repsonsible for that?

[Thaising]

One Brit & one Canadian tourist passing by got injured.

Edited March 9, 2006 by Thaising

[Jai Dee]

Pol. Gen. Chidchai and senior police officers inspect explosion site in front of Gen. Prem's house

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chidchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) has inspected the site of explosion in front of the house of General Prem Tinnasulanond (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์), to determine the type of bomb used.

Police General Chidchai has inspected the site of the explosion and is following up on the matter where an explosion occured at a guard house at the chief privy councilor and statesman's Seesaothewet (สี่เสาเทเวศร์) residence. Senior officials of the Metropolitan Police were reported to have also been at the site to carry out inspection.

2 people, a 51-year-old and a 28-year-old who were both foreigners from the U.K., received injuries from glass shards and have already been sent to Wachira (วชิระ) hospital for treatment.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 March 2006

_________________________________________________________________

Bomb explodes outside Gen. Prem's house

Bangkok (dpa) - Amid rising political tensions in Bangkok, a bomb exploded Thursday outside the home of former Thai prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda, damaging a car and injuring a British tourist, police and hospital sources said.

The explosion occurred at 2 p.m. local time near a security box outside Prem's house compound in Bang Lamphu district.

Foreign tourist Jeffeny King, 28, a British national, who was passing the house at the time of the blast, was injured by shrapnel in his left shin, said a spokesperson at Vachira Hospital, where the man received treatment.

Prem, a former army commander-in-chief who was prime minister between 1980 to 1988, is currently Privy Council chairman to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Prem last month irked supporters of embattled Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra with a speech about the king's guidelines on good governance that appeared to be slighting the premier.

Thaksin has been under intense pressure to resign since the January 23 sale of his family's 49 per cent stake in the clan-owned Shin Corp to Temasek Holding, the investment arm of the Singapore government.

The family sale of Shin Corp, Thailand's largest telecommunications conglomerate, has sparked accusations that the prime minister has improperly sold off national assets to a foreign firm.

"I'm still waiting for a report on the bomb," said Thaksin. "I don't know if it's just another means of raising tensions."

Source: Bangkok Post Breaking News

[Jai Dee]

Photograph from The Manager Online

[Jai Dee]

PM Thaksin believes the bombing incident at Gen Prem’s house was to create chaos

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra believes that the explosion in front of the house of General Prem Tinnasulanond (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์) was the work of hooligans with intention to stir chaos. He has instructed officials to speed up with the investigation.

The premier said he has not been told yet about the explosion at a police guard post inside the residential compound of chief privy councilor and statesman. The explosion caused one injury.

PM Thaksin said the explosion was to create chaos as officials are already exhausted from the continuous demonstrations. He added that the officials have always performed their duties at the utmost.

As for the incident which might create disunity in the society, PM Thaksin said the wrong-doers will be prosecuted by laws and regulations.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

Bomb blasts at Gen Prem's residence : updated

A powerful bomb exploded at a police booth in front of the residence of Privy Council's chairman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda Thursday afternoon, injuring two foreign nationals, police said.

The powerful explosion took place about 2.05 pm. The shrapnels damaged a parked car several metres away on the opposite side of the four-lane road.

It was reported that Gen Prem is in his residence when the blast happened.

Police immediately cordoned off the area to collect the evidence. Initial investigation identified the injured as a Briton and a Canadian.

A spokesman of Vajira Hospital identified the Briton as Jeffeny King, 28, who was passing the house at the time of the blast. He was injured by shrapnel in his left shin.

Police said the bomb was placed under a chair situated next to the police booth. The blast destroyed the chair and shattered window glass of the booth.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was on the election campaign tour in Chanthaburi, said he had not received an official report on the bomb yet but he believed someone was trying to create a situation.

He said police would try to find out the masterminds of the bomb and bring them to justice.

Source: The Nation

[Jai Dee]

Bomb targeted at ex PM Prem TInsulanonda's residence

A small bomb hit at a police guard post outside the home of former Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda, now the chief adviser to His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The bomb was reported planted in the compound of Gen. Prem to intensify political tensions in Thailand. The tension is already high because of a growing popular campaign to force Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to resign from his premiership.

Pol. Col. Kamolsan Kranbut said the homemade bomb, triggered by a remote control, injured a 28-year-old British man. He was being treated at a nearby hospital.

No one took immediate responsibility for the blast.

Gen. Prem is a former army chief and prime minister who is now a member of the Privy Council, the inner circle of advisers to His Majesty the King.

__________________________________________________________

Mr. Phumtham says the explosion at Gen. Prem’s house might affect stability matter

Deputy Secretary of the Thai Rak Thai Party Phumtham Vechayachai (ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย) is worried that the bombing incident in front of the house of General Prem Tinsulanonda (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์) might affect the stability of Thailand.

Mr. Phumtham said he has no details about the explosion. He said such action will have an impact on the national stability no matter who created it. He has urged the Thai society to condemn the party responsible for such act since the nation is already facing a lot of crisis.

Mr. Phumtham said the security-related units have an effective measure to deal with the security issues, and he has encouraged motorists to turn on the headlights of their vehicles, as a sign to show their peaceful stance.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 March 2006

[britmaveric]

Not good news at all - this certainly puts a new twist on events. Let's hope its a one off.

[bulmercke]

General Prem Tinsulanonda was critical of Thaksin a few weeks ago, which resulted in the ex-Bangkok governor, Samak, having to leave his shows under pressure from the military.

Who would most likely be behind this bombing?

Well, it would have to be, most probably, a group from the pro-Thaksin camp.

Possibly, members of the army who are loyal to Thaksin, and who were opposed to General Prem's earlier statements and stance toward the beleagured Thaksin. This would indicate division in the armed forces, which is, without doubt, the case now.

Or it could have been the clandestine work of another party - a so-called - third party - who are pro-Thaksin and militant; those very same individuals the media and the government continually make mention to as being those likely to instigate trouble at anti-Thaksin rallies.

(Would have added more images, but apparently there appears to be a limit on how many images you can upload at one time.)

Edited March 9, 2006 by bulmercke

[Ricardo]

Not good news at all - this certainly puts a new twist on events. Let's hope its a one off.

Absolutely, britmaveric, thank god nobody was killed.

General Prem is a very respected figure here, and it is hard to see who might believe they could benefit, from such an attack. Certainly not the opposition, who would hope to see the General as an interim-PM, or the government, who would not want the peaceful election-process disrupted.

Let's hope the culprit(s) are identified quickly.

[bulmercke]

Not good news at all - this certainly puts a new twist on events. Let's hope its a one off.

Absolutely, britmaveric, thank god nobody was killed.

General Prem is a very respected figure here, and it is hard to see who might believe they could benefit, from such an attack. Certainly not the opposition, who would hope to see the General as an interim-PM, or the government, who would not want the peaceful election-process disrupted.

Let's hope the culprit(s) are identified quickly.

You're absolutely correct Ricardo: neither the government nor the opposition would sanction such an attack. It has to be the military (a renegade faction or such within) or a militant pro-Thaksin "third party".

I very much doubt the investigation will lead anywhere. Who ever was responsible is most certainly in league with persons in positions of high office - somewhere.

Edited March 9, 2006 by bulmercke

[Hermano Lobo]

If there is a split in the military that a forum member believes what is the chance that the whole issue escalates and gets really nasty? I would like to hear the views of those well versed in Thai politics and culture.

[kyselak]

March 9 (Reuters) - The following are snapshots of

developments in Thailand over the past year which have fuelled

a political crisis threatening Prime Minister Thaksin

Shinawatra.

2005

Feb 6: Thaksin's Thais Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) Party

wins a second landslide election victory, taking 377 of the 500

seats in the lower house of parliament.

March 9: King Bhumibol Adulyadej reappoints Thaksin prime

minister, this time to form Thailand's first elected civilian

single-party government.

Aug 2: Thaksin, beset by violence in the Muslim south,

graft scandals and economic woes which have eroded his support

less than five months into his new term, reshuffles cabinet.

Sept 9: State-run television takes a current affairs show

hosted by Thaksin's friend-turn-foe Sondhi Limthongkul off the

air, citing repetition of "unfair" criticisms of various

parties.

Sondhi begins weekly rallies attended by thousands of

people in a Bangkok park, using them to accuse the government

of corruption, conflicts of interest and abuses of power.

Oct 3: Thaksin files two slander suits against Sondhi,

demanding 500 million baht ($12 million) in damages.

Dec 6: Thaksin withdraws the suits after King Bhumibol

chastises him publicly for using the courts to try to silence

his critics.

2006

Jan 23: Relatives sell their controlling stake in Shin

Corp, the telecoms empire Thaksin founded, to Singapore

government investment firm Temasek. The tax-free $1.9 billion

sale angers Bangkok's middle classes and adds momentum to

Sondhi's campaign.

Feb 4: About 40,000 people attend the biggest demonstration

against a Thai government in 14 years to hear Sondhi call on

Thaksin to quit.

Feb 9: The People's Alliance for Democracy, comprising

groups with axes to grind about government policy, is formed to

take over the campaign.

Feb 11: At least 20,000 protesters hold rally demanding

Thaksin quit. He offers to hold a referendum on amending the

constitution to appease opponents who accuse him of undermining

its checks and balances.

Feb 19: Thaksin's one-time political mentor, Chamlong

Srimuang, who led pro-democracy demonstrations in 1992, joins

the campaign to oust him.

Feb 23: The Securities and Exchange Commission rules

Thaksin's son committed wrongdoings in handling his major stake

in Shin Corp, giving more ammunition to critics of his father.

Feb 24: Thaksin calls a snap election on April 2, three

years early and two days before another anti-government rally.

Feb 26: Buddhist monks and nuns of the "Dharma Army" lead

30,000 protesters demanding Thaksin resign.

Feb 27: Three main opposition parties announce election

boycott after Thaksin rejects their demand for a neutral body

to reform the constitution.

Feb 28: Leaders of anti-Thaksin campaign threaten street

protests if he does not resign by March 5.

March 3: Thaksin vows to press ahead with poll and offers

political reforms. The opposition says it is not enough.

March 5: Some 60,000 protesters rally in Bangkok for

another anti-government protest, the biggest in 14 years.

March 7: Heads of government electricity and water unions

threaten strike action in support of anti-Thaksin campaign. A

police general urges Thaksin to step aside.

March 8: Close adviser to King Bhumibol urges Thaksin and

his foes to "sit down and talk".

March 9: A small bomb linked to the political crisis

explodes outside the Bangkok residence of the king's chief

adviser, slightly wounding a British passer-by.

Protesters march on Singapore embassy, demanding Shin Corp

sale be scrapped because it includes vital national security

assets such as satellites and phone networks.

REUTERS

091419 Mrz 06

ENDOFMSG

[sriracha john]

*duplicate post deleted*

Edited March 9, 2006 by sriracha john

[jdinasia]

wow those #'s in the Rueters article sure are low! (seems like they don't want to P.O. the Gov) "at least 20k people etc

[Old Man River]

If there is a split in the military that a forum member believes what is the chance that the whole issue escalates and gets really nasty? I would like to hear the views of those well versed in Thai politics and culture.

Can it get nasty? Yes, anything is possible, but I don't see this bombing as work of the military. I also don't see this as a one off, as we shouldn't forget that just a week or so ago a bomb went off outside of the Santi Asoke compound (General Chamlong's group) in the middle of the night. Fortunately, no one was injured at that time.

The Privy Councilors are highly respected in Thailand and are a very short step away from The Palace. General Prem, Chairman of the Privy Councilors, is the most highly respected. He is also highly esteemed in the South, where he comes from. First a strike against a Buddhist sect and then against a Privy Councilor. No Thai in modern times would do this, and certainly no group of military would dishonor their country in such a way.

Should it ever get nasty you can expect it to be short lived, much as it was in 1992.

[kyselak]

PM Lee has not received letter from Thai senator: Singapore

SINGAPORE, March 9, 2006 (AFP) - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

has not yet received a letter from a prominent Thai senator on the

politically controversial sale of Shin Corp telecom to Temasek

Holdings, Singapore's foreign ministry said Thursday.

Senator Kraisak Choonhavan, chairman of the foreign affairs

committee, reportedly sent the letter telling Lee that protests in

Bangkok opposing the deal could affect bilateral ties.

The Shin Corp telecom empire was founded by Thai Prime Minister

Thaksin Shinawatra and the tax-free sale of his family's stake in

the company to Singapore's Temasek has sparked weeks of protests as

Thais saw the move as an abuse of power. The mass rallies threaten

to bring down Thaksin's government.

"As we have yet to receive the letter, we are unable to

comment," the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a

statement in response to media queries.

"It would be strange if the contents of the letter have been

divulged to the media before the addressees received them."

But the letter, which was also sent to Singapore's parliamentary

speaker Abdullah Tarmugi, had apparently been leaked to the media in

Thailand.

"I would like to, therefore, bring this matter to your kind

attention with the hope that you and your esteemed parliament may

help address allegations of impropriety from this transaction and

clarify any misunderstandings between our peoples," Kraisak said in

the letter.

"The relationship between our two countries must not be

jeopardised as a result of a single business transaction, especially

since Singapore is respected...for her belief in the values of

transparency, accountability and good governance," the letter said.

It was not clear how the letter was sent, but in it, the Thai

senator raised a litany of concerns about the deal, including

alleged tax evasion, insider trading and asset concealment.

He also said that Thai laws prevented foreign ownership of three

Shin Corp companies now under Temasek's control.

Thaksin's relatives made 1.9 billion US dollars when they sold

their nearly 50 percent stake in Shin Corp to Temasek, Singapore's

state-linked investment company.

mba/pj

AFP 091243 GMT MAR 06

[kyselak]

Thai army chief says no coup plans after bomb

ATTENTION - ADDS army chief's reax ///

BANGKOK, March 9, 2006 (AFP) - Thailand's army chief Thursday

reassured the public that the military would not stage a coup after

a small bomb exploded outside the home of the top adviser to King

Bhumibol Adulyadej.

One Canadian and one British tourist were slightly injured when

the bomb exploded around 2:00 pm (0700 GMT) near an empty guard

booth outside the official residence of Prem Tinsulanonda, a former

prime minister, police said.

With political tensions spriralling in Thailand, General Sonthi

Boonyaratglin voiced his concern over the bomb but quickly reassured

the public that the military would not use the blast as a pretext

for a coup.

"There is no movement from the military. The military must be

disciplined. If we took any action, it would not be good for our

country. We will not exacerbate the situation," he told reporters.

Prem, one of the most respected politicians in Thailand, was at

home when the bomb exploded.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has faced a month of

protests demanding his resignation, said unknown forces might be

trying to worsen the country's political crisis.

"There may be someone wanting to incite the situation," Thaksin

told reporters.

Justice Minister Chidchai Vanasathidya met with the National

Intelligence Agency and the Armed Forces Security Center to set up a

top-level team of police, military and intelligence agents to

investigate the blast.

"Apart from discrediting the government, the bomber was trying

to deepen the rift in Thai society. We have to be careful," Chidchai

said.

General Thammarak Issarangkura Na Ayutthaya, the defense

minister, met with Prem and said he believed the bomb had been

detonated by remote control.

"It's likely that they did not want to kill anyone but to gain

publicity, because General Prem is a respected person," he told

reporters.

Interior Minister Kongsak Vantana said witnesses reported seeing

a man in his 20s near the guard booth shortly before the blast.

The foreign tourists who were passing by the residence were only

slightly injured, police said.

bc/ask/gs/mc

AFP 091116 GMT MAR 06

[kyselak]

Thai shares rise, but climb restrained by news of bomb

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Thai shares rose 0.7 percent

Thursday on buying in banking blue chips, but overall gains

were capped by panic selling on news of a small bomb that

exploded in front of the house of the King's top adviser,

traders said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand index rose

5.13 points to close at 728.99, off the day's high of

732.60 attained in the morning. The index had fallen 2

percent Wednesday to its lowest point of the year.

Advancers led decliners 192 to 129, as trading volume

remained thin at 2.20 billion shares, compared with 1.85

billion shares Wednesday. «The bomb spurs jitters in the

market, as people are already wary of violence in the

country given the growing political tensions,» said

analyst Somchai Anektaweepon of Syrus Securities. But even

though the explosion, which injured a passer-by, stirred

worries about political situation, foreign players carried

on bargain-hunting in many blue chips, they said. Siam

Commercial Bank PCL was up 0.8 percent at 62 baht,

Kasikornbank PCL gained 2.3 percent at 65.50 baht and

Bangkok Bank PCL rose 1.8 percent to 111 baht.

091206 mar 06GMT

[englishoak]

lets all hope this is a single incedent and does not escallate

[lung]

Bombing incidents during anti-Thaksin Shinawatra movements

Following are bombing incidents happened after Sondhi Limthongkul, a media tycoon, has launched campaign to try to oust Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra:

November 4, 2005: A bomb was hurled into lawn yard of the Phujadkarn newspaper's office causing only minor damages.

December 8, 2005: A small bomb exploded in a telephone booth near Lumpini Park just one day before Thaksin's arch rival and media maverick Sondhi Limthongkul staged his weekly anti-government rally there.

December 17, 2005: An explosion blew a small hole in the ground, blasted the trunk of a tree and sent debris all over a guard post manned by police against the outer wall of the Interior Ministry.

February 22, 2006: A bomb exploded inside Santi Asoke religious centre. The blast shattered windows of broke roof tiles at shelter buildings. Marble chairs were also broken, and an open space used for leisure activities was damaged. The blast was powerful enough to damage glass windows and the ceilings of eight townhouses nearby.

March 9, 2006: A bomb exploded at a police booth in front of the residence of Privy Council's president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, injuring two foreign nationals.

--------------------

source - nation 8.3.2006

--------------------

[penzman]

To say that a few onths ago, some were worried that it would be Muslims from down South bombing Bangkok.

[sriracha john]

lets all hope this is a single incedent and does not escallate

Sorry, but there's more now:

Three small bombs hurled into Vachirawut College

The bombs did not cause damage apart from making loud noise.

A security officer of the college, Somchai Chankham, told police that the explosion noises were heard from three spots inside the college's compound at about 9:10 pm.

Dr Chai-anan Samutvanij, who gathered signatures to submit a petition to His Majesty the King seeking a royally-appointed government, was staying inside the college at the time of explosions. He is the college's director.

[Jai Dee]

Firecrackers have been thrown into Vajiravudh College

At 9.30 pm of March 9, a box suspected to contain firecrackers were thrown into the Vajiravudh College (วชิราวุธวิทยาลัย) in Bangkok, damaging the residence of Professor Doctor Chai_anand Samuthawanich (ชัยอนันต์ สมุทวณิช) who is rector of the Vajiravudh college.

Damage was inflicted upon 3 spots, comprising the institute's fence, the fence of Dr. Chai_anand's residence, and the area at a garage for royal vehicles.

A threat letter was also reported to have been found.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 March 2006

[cclub75]

In Nation this morning...

"Judging from the type of today's TNT explosives, the powers-that-be were likely involved, he said. Police sources said the bomb was assembled from nearly two and a half kilograms of TNT and detonated by a timing device."

Don't you see that the "bomb of 2.5 kilos of TNT" is likely to be a simple FIRECRACKER ?

I mean, look at the photos !

But once again, super-chief-of-police-with-tight-uniform arrives on the scene, smells his fingers, the wind, and look at the trees, and speaks : "it's 2.5 kilos of TNT".

Here are some bits of datas can find, by simple googling :

The "minimum safe distance for personnel in the open" for demolitions is 77 meters times the cube root of the weight of the TNT in kilos

each one was committed using a suicide belt containing an equivalent of 2 kilos of TNT; and in each about thirty or forty people were killed.

NONREINFORCED CONCERT MASONARY

THICKNESS OF MATERIAL TNT SIZE OF OPENING

Up to 35 CM (14 inches) 1 KG (2.2LBS) 35 CM (14 inches)

35 to 45 CM (14 to 18 inches) 2 KG (4.4 LBS) 45 CM (18 inches)

45 to 50 CM (18 to 20 inches) 3 KG (6.6 LBS) 50 CM (20 inches)

[Jai Dee]

Pol. Gen. Chitchai orders investigation into the explosion at statesman's residence to analyse whether the incident was related to earlier bombings

The deputy prime minister for security has ordered the investigative committee to look into the explosion in front of the chief privy councilor's residence to analyse the event in conjunction with the earlier bombings in the capital.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) said an investigative committee has been established and it will conduct detailed analysis of the event to see whether there is connection with previous explosions in front of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and the Santi_asoke (สันติอโศก) building. The committee will report to him daily. Pol. Gen. Chitchai said that from preliminary analysis he believed the action was taken to stir up rifts, in discrediting the government by portraying it was unable to handle security. He believed the explosion was not aimed to harm the chief privy councilor and statesman.

Meanwhile Defense Minister Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya (ธรรมรักษ์ อิศรางกูร ณ อยุธยา) said he has urged civil agencies to increase security, especially in community areas. He also affirmed that a state of emergency declaration was unneccessary.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

Chia-anand expressed belief that the bombing at his residence is related to the petition for an appointed PM.

Director of the Vajiravudh (วชิราวุธ) college, Chai-anand Samuthawanich (ชัยอนันต์ สมุทวณิช) expressed belief that the bombing at his residence was resulted from his move in collecting signatures of state officials and Thai elites for the petition asking for a royally appointed Prime Minister.

Mr. Chai-anand said that the bombing may have resulted from dissatisfaction with his involvement in the elite group’s petition to His Majesty the King for a royally-appointed Prime Minister. The bombing at his residence on Sukhothai road yesterday did not cause any injuries, but caused damage to a government vehicle. Police inspected a suspicious box placed in front of the residence. But Metropolitan Police Commander Region 1, Major-general Pramoj Prathumwong (ปราโมช ปทุมวงศ์) said that the box brought by a mysterious person for Mr. Chai-anand contained only pig droppings, not explosive devices as suspected.

Mr. Chai-anand said that he will not ask for police protection, as he is used to the incident. He said that a similar incident also occurred during Black May incident in 1992.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

General Sondhi supervised investigation at Gen. Prem's residence yesterday.

Army commander General Sondhi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน) took dirt in front of Privy Council chairman General Prem Tinsulanon’s (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์) for an investigation into the blast yesterday.

General Sondhi met General Prem after the bomb incident yesterday and inspected the crime scene. He collected dirt and pieces of glass in front of the statesman’s resident for an inspection, and refused to give interviews to reporters.

Meanwhile, Privy Councilor General Surayud Julanon (สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์) and Permanent Secretary of the Defense Ministry General Sirichai Tanyasiri (สิริชัย ธัญญสิริ) also came to visit General Prem at his residence.

General Surayud said that the Privy Council chairman was not alarmed by the incident, adding that the officials are conducting investigations into the case.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

General Sondhi said the military will not stage any movements, following yesterday's bombings.

Army commander General Sondhi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญรัตนกลิน) went to inspect the aftermath of the explosion in front of the Privy Council Chairman General Prem Tinsulanon’s (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์) residence, while expressing worries about the incident. He insisted, however, that the military will not initiate any moves after the incident.

General Sonthi visited General Prem’s residence yesterday to follow up on the bombing incident at the privy council chairman’s house. The army commander admitted that he felt uneasy about the incident, but insisted that the army will not use the incident as grounds for staging any movements. He also said that all military officers should remain strong despite provocations.

The army commander refused to say whether the bombing was related to the current political problems. He said that details of the case have to be investigated. Meanwhile, Defense Permanent Secretary General Sirichai Tanyasiri (สิริชัย ธัญญสิริ) said that many senior officers, including General Surayud Julanon (สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์), General Chidchai Wannasatit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์), General Thammarak Issarangkul na Ayudhaya (ธรรมรักษ์ อิศรางกูล ณ อยุธยา) also met the privy council chairman.

He said that General Prem thanked those visiting him, adding that Privy Council chairman did not assume whether the case is related to any possible issues, adding that he will wait for the investigation. He asks all officers to exercise good judgment, adding that General Prem urged all commanders to maintain political neutrality.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 March 2006