Bomb Blast At General Prem's Residence

[asd]

BOOM !!!

BOOM !!!

BOOM !!!

That's so sad

........God bless this country

[Jai Dee]

Spokesman believes bombing incident was the work of third party

The Spokesman to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Surapong Suebwonglee (สุรพงษ์ สืบวงศ์ลี), believes that the bombing incident in front of the See Sao Tawej Estate (บ้านสี่เสาเทเวศร) was the work of a third party with ill-intentions. He has affirmed that the government will not use the incident to declare an emergency state of affairs.

Mr. Surapong stated that the bomb blast which took place in front of See Sao Tawej Estate (บ้านสี่เสาเทเวศร), the residence of General Prem Tinsulanonda (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์), the Privy Councilor President, was being thoroughly investigated by state security agencies, and the perpetrator will be brought to justice as swiftly as possible. He stated that the incident was not in the least bit supportive, but added that the government will not use the incident to declare a national emergency.

Mr. Surapong commented that he believed the incident was not the work of the People's Democratic Front, or any other peace-loving group, but that an ill-intent third party was most likely responsible.

The spokesman said the government will resolve the situation peacefully as it had done in the past.

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

[asd]

........... PEACE ON EARTH ...............

[bulmercke]

Tension rises as bomb hits General Prem’s residence

By By Martin Petty 10 March 2006 10:49 - ThaiDay -

Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratakalin inspects the site of a bombing outside Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda’s residence, which injured a UK tourist and sparked rumors of a coup.

Thai politics plunged into further uncertainty yesterday when a bomb exploded outside the home of His Majesty the King’s most senior aide, prompting speculation of a military coup and the declaration of emergency rule in the capital.

The small bomb went off outside the residence of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda early yesterday afternoon, injuring a British tourist and damaging a police booth and nearby cars.

The blast came as thousands of people rallied in Sanam Luang for a fifth consecutive day to demand the resignation of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra – a movement that has plunged the country into political turmoil.

As news of the bombing spread, rumors began to swirl as to who was behind the blast and what the motive was for the attack on the home of Prem, a former prime minister and a well respected statesman.

Talk of military intervention and invoking of emergency rule soon took hold. Members of an anti-Thaksin alliance said state agents may have planted the bomb in order to invoke an emergency decree, and mentioned “dark actions” which would allow the government to arrest core demonstrators and prevent the media from reporting critically.

Without parliamentary approval, Thaksin replaced martial law with emergency rule in the restive southernmost provinces in July last year after a night of coordinated bombings in Yala town, placing sweeping powers in the hands of the government.

Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratakalin yesterday sought to allay fears of a military coup in response to the blast. He said armed forces’ intervention in politics would only exacerbate an already precarious situation.

“There will be no movement from the military,” he told reporters. “The military is disciplined and if we were to take action, it would not be good for the country.”

Alluding to the possible involvement of anti-Thaksin groups, the premier repeated his vow to hang on to power, despite fierce opposition in Bangkok. “We cannot make way for these people,” he said during a whirlwind tour of the East ahead of snap elections on April 2. “We will not give in to bandits.”

Addressing protestors at Sanam Luang, Thaksin’s former mentor Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang dismissed talk of an emergency law being declared in response to the incident.

“The government can invoke the decree at any time,” he said. “But these bombings do not give him the grounds to do this.”

Police forensics teams spent several hours scouring the site of the bombing in the Thewet area of Bangkok, trying to piece together evidence to help establish a motive for the unexplained blast. A battery was found near to one of the walls of Prem’s residence, Si Sao Thewes, suggesting the device was detonated remotely.

The explosion left a hole in the ground, shattered the windows of a police booth and damaged a police pickup truck and two other vehicles. A British tourist was hurt as he walked past the police post and was treated for wounds to his legs, belly and arms at a nearby hospital.

Defense Minister Gen Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya said the bomb was not intended to cause harm, but given the proximity to Prem’s house, it was likely an attempt to gain publicity for a political cause. “General Prem is a highly respected person,” Gen Thammarak said. The incident was the fourth of it’s kind in recent months after minor blasts at Lumphini Park, the office of the Manager Media Group, the Justice and Interior ministries, and a monastery of the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect.

A source in the national intelligence agency told Manager Online that several media outlets were tipped-off about the bomb 10 minutes before it was triggered.

One eyewitness said a man was seen sitting on a concrete bench next to the police booth prior to the incident. “I believe the man left something underneath the bench,” said Porlert Chalorleaw, 50.

“There was a very loud noise and we are quite shocked it happened here,” added the owner of the restaurant opposite Si Sao Thewes.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit – who often explains blasts in the insurgency-plagued South – called an urgent meeting with security and intelligence chiefs. He said the bombing was politically motivated and intended to increase tension ahead of elections.

“This was an attempt to deepen the rifts in Thai society,” he said.

A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend certain normal functions of government, may work to alert citizens to alter their normal behaviors, or may order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale for suspending civil liberties. Such declarations usually come during a time of natural disaster, during periods of civil unrest, or following a declaration of war (therefore, in democratic countries many call this martial law, most with non-critical intent). Justitium is its equivalent in Roman law.

In some countries, the state of emergency and its effects on civil liberties and governmental procedure are regulated by the constitution or a law that limits the powers that may be invoked during an emergency or rights suspended. It is also frequently illegal to modify the emergency law or Constitution during the emergency.

Though fairly uncommon in democracies, dictatorial regimes often declare a state of emergency that is prolonged indefinitely as long as the regime lasts. In some situations, martial law is also declared, allowing the military greater authority to act.

[edit]

State of emergency law in selected countries

[edit]

Canada

The federal government of Canada can use the Emergencies Act to invoke a state of emergency. A national state of emergency automatically expires after 90 days. The Emergencies Act replaced the War Measures Act in 1988. The War Measures Act has been invoked three times in Canadian history, most controversially during the FLQ Crisis. A state of emergency can also be declared by provincial, territorial, and municipal governments [1].

[edit]

Egypt

Egyptians have been living under an Emergency Law (Law No. 162 of 1958) since 1967, except for an 18-month break in 1980. The emergency was imposed during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, and reimposed following the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. The law has been continuously extended every three years since 1981. Under the law, police powers are extended, constitutional rights suspended and censorship is legalized.[2] The law sharply circumscribes any non-governmental political activity: street demonstrations, non-approved political organizations, and unregistered financial donations are formally banned. Some 17,000 people are detained under the law, and estimates of political prisoners run as high as 30,000.[3]

[edit]

France

The state of emergency in France is framed by the constitution of 1955, which states that it can be decreed by the President in the Council of Ministers, but has to be confirmed by Parliament in order to be held after 12 days. State of emergency gives authorities the power to:

Regulate or forbid circulation and gathering in some areas

Further information: curfew, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]

Close places of gathering

Conduct house-to-house searches, 24h/24 without juridical oversight

Censorship

It may also give the military authority the power to act in place of civilian authorities, if a decree specifies it explicitly. It is unclear though how some of the legal possibilities can be implemented currently, because of various legal changes since the 1950s.

Since 1955, four states of emergency have been decreed:

In 1955 in Algeria due to independentist unrest

In 1958 due to the uprising in Algeria

Further information: Algerian War of Independence, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]

In 1984 in New Caledonia due to independentist troubles

During the 2005 civil unrest in France, President Jacques Chirac declared a state of emergency on 8 November 2005. It was extended for three months on 16 November by the Parliament, dominated by the UMP majority. On December 10, France's highest administrative body, the Council of State, ruled that the three-month state of emergency decreed to guarantee calm following unrest was legal. It rejected a complaint from 74 law professors and the Green party, declaring that the conditions that led to the unrest that started on October 27, the quick spread of violence, and the possibility that it could recur justify the state of emergency, which is to end in mid-February. The complaint challenged the state of emergency's necessity and said it compromised fundamental liberties[4] [5] [6].

[edit]

Germany

The Weimar Republic constitution allowed states of emergency under Article 48 to deal with rebellions. Article 48 was invoked numerous times during the 14-year life of the Republic, sometimes for no reason other than to allow the government to act when it was unable to obtain a parliamentary majority. Adolf Hitler, building on this precedent by previous Weimar leaders, used the article to establish himself as dictator and ushering in the Third Reich.

In the postwar Federal Republic of Germany, the Notstandgesetze (amendments to the Constitution passed on May 30, 1968 as a reaction to the resistance of the Ausserparlamentarische Opposition (APO), the extraparliamentary opposition, despite fierce opposition by the German student movement) states that the basic constitutional rights of the Grundgesetz may be limited in case of a state of defence (war), a state of tension (uprisings), or an internal state of emergency or disaster (catastrophe).

[edit]

Hungary

According to the Hungarian Constitution the Parliament can declare state of emergency in case of armed rebellion, natural or industrial disaster. It expires after 30 days, but can be extended. Most civil rights can be suspended, but basic human rights, like right to live, ban of torture, freedom of religion can not.

During state of emergency, the Parliament can not be disbanded.

[edit]

India

Main article: State of Emergency in India

In India, an external state of emergency was declared three times during wars:

In 1962 Sino-Indian War

In 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

In 1971 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

In 1975 Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi declared a state of internal emergency (the Indian Emergency (1975 - 77)) after she was indicted in a corruption scandal and was ordered to vacate her seat in the Indian Parliament, allowing herself to rule by decree till 1977. India made great economic strides during the two year emergency period, but political opposition was heavily suppressed. Civil liberties were suspended and a mandatory birth control program was introduced by the government. Confident about her chances of getting reelected, Indira Gandhi relaxed the emergency and released dissidents. She then was trounced by an anti-Indira grand coalition in the 1977 elections.

[edit]

Spain

In Spain there are three degrees of state of emergency (estado de emergencia in Spanish): alerta (alert), excepción (exception[al circumstance]) and sitio (siege). They are named by the constitution, which limits which rights may be suspended, but regulated by the "Ley Orgánica 4/1981" (Organic Law).

[edit]

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom the Privy Council or a Senior Minister may make emergency regulations under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 if there is a serious threat to human welfare or the environment or in case of war or terrorism. These last for seven days unless confirmed by Parliament.

[edit]

United States

A federal emergency declaration allows the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to exercise its power to deal with emergency situations; federal assistance also become available to areas that are declared to be in a state of emergency. For FEMA, emergency declarations are different from the more common disaster declarations done for hurricanes and floods.

In the United States, the chief executive is typically empowered to declare a State of Emergency. The President of the United States, a governor of a state, or even a local mayor may declare a State of Emergency within his or her jurisdiction. This is relatively rare at the federal level, but quite common at the state level in response to natural disasters.

Typically, a state of emergency empowers the executive to name coordinating officials to deal with the emergency and to override normal administrative processes regarding the passage of administrative rules.

The courts in the United States are often very lenient in allowing almost any action to be taken in the case of such a declared emergency, if it is reasonably related. For example, habeas corpus is the right to challenge an arrest in court. The U.S. Constitution says, "The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it." However, the Constitution has no provision for the suspension of any other rights during a state of emergency.

Habeas corpus was suspended on April 27, 1861 during the American Civil War by Abraham Lincoln in parts of midwestern states, including southern Indiana. He did so in response to demands by generals to set up military courts to rein in "copperheads", or those in the Union who supported the Confederate cause. Lambdin Milligan and four others were accused of planning to steal Union weapons and invade Union prisoner-of-war camps and were sentenced to hang by a military court in 1864. However, their execution was not set until May 1865, so they were able to argue the case after the Civil War. It was decided in the Supreme Court case Ex Parte Milligan 71 US 2 1866 that the suspension was unconstitutional because civilian courts were still operating, and the Constitution (according to the Court) only provided for suspension of habeas corpus if these courts are actually forced closed.

The Supreme Court ruling in Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer established that Presidents may not act arbitrarily during an emergency.

As a result of the war on terror President Bush and his supporters suggested, as Commander-in-Chief, he has been granted emergency powers.

[edit]

Examples

[edit]

Ongoing

Nepal has been in a state of emergency since political parties and the constitution were suspended by King Gyanendra in response to Maoist rebel factions.

Egypt has been in a state of emergency almost without interruption since the Six-Day War in June 1967.

Brunei Darussalam has been in a state of emergency since December 12, 1962 in response to a pro-independence rebellion.

Swaziland has been in a state of emergency since the constitution was suspended by King Sobhuza II on April 12, 1973

Israel has been in a state of emergency since the 1948 War of Independence (May 19, 1948- )

Syria has been in a state of emergency since the Baathist coup of March 8, 1963, however it is to be relaxed. [7]

New Mexico (U.S.) declared a state of emergency on August 12, 2005, in counties bordering Mexico as a result of illegal immigration and border crime.

Arizona (U.S.) also declared a state of emergency for the same reasons on August 14, 2005, in four southern border counties.

Louisiana (U.S.) declared a state of emergency on August 27, 2005, due to the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Katrina. [8]

Mississippi and Alabama (U.S.) also declared a state of emergency on August 28, 2005, in response to Hurricane Katrina.

Texas and Arkansas (U.S.) declared a state of emergency on September 2, 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma, Florida, West Virginia, North Carolina, Utah, and Colorado (U.S.) declared a state of emergency on September 5, 2005, bringing the total to thirteen states under a state of emergency as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

France has entered a state of emergency effective midnight, November 8, 2005, in response to civil unrest

Philippines has entered a state of emergency effective February 24, 2006, in response to coup threats against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government in the midst of the 20th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution that toppled the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

[edit]

Past states of emergency

Late-February 2006 in the Philippines, by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo due to coup attempts and civilian rallies to overthrow the government

Mid-August 2005 in Sucumbios and Orellana, two provinces of Ecuador, because of indigenous protests against oil firms

Friday April 15 2005 in Quito, capital of Ecuador

February-April 2005 in Nepal

December 2004 in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Maldives.

November 2004 in Iraq

October 2004 in the Gaza Strip and West Bank

April 2004 in Ryongchon, North Korea following a major explosion

November 2003 in Georgia, following weeks of civil unrest.

August 2003 in Michigan, Ohio, New York, US and Ontario, Canada, in response to the 2003 North America blackout

August 2003 in the Philippines

August 2003 in Portugal, in response to forest fires

July 2003 in Mexico, in response to a West Nile virus outbreak (estado de emergencia)

May 2003 in Peru (estado de excepción or estado de sitio depending on the source)

April 2003 in Mato Grosso, Brazil, in response to torrential rainfall (estado de emergência)

March 2003 in Serbia after assassination of Zoran Đinđić (vanredno stanje)

January 2003 in Canberra, the national capital of Australia during the Canberra bushfires of 2003

September 2002 in Moscow, Russia, in response to smoke pollution from forest fires

July 2002 in Paraguay (estado de excepción)

December 2001 in Argentina (estado de sitio), in response to public unrest

November 2001 in Nepal, in response to increased guerrilla activity

September 2001 in the U.S., in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. It may be argued that since the passing of the USA PATRIOT Act, the USA has been under a veiled state of emergency.

March 1992 in Republic of Moldova, in response to ethnic conflict between Romanian and Russian minorities

1975-1977 in India. Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in 1975 in response to political opposition and her own conviction on charges of electoral fraud. The Emergency lasted for 19 months;

Main article: Indian Emergency

Malayan Emergency in Malaysia and Singapore

1939-1952 in the United States due to World War II

March 18, 1907 in Moldavia and Wallachia in Romania during the 1907 Romanian Peasants' Revolt.

[lukamar]

Canada

The federal government of Canada can use the Emergencies Act to invoke a state of emergency. A national state of emergency automatically expires after 90 days. The Emergencies Act replaced the War Measures Act in 1988. The War Measures Act has been invoked three times in Canadian history, most controversially during the FLQ Crisis. A state of emergency can also be declared by provincial, territorial, and municipal governments [1].

Your information is incorrect and misleading as far as Canada is concerned. There is no mention of implementation by any governing body other than the Federal government in the Emergencies Act R.S., 1985, c. 22 (4th Supp.) [1988, c. 29, assented to 21st July, 1988] on the contrary Declaration of a PUBLIC ORDER EMERGENCY as set out in the act is federal in scope and not provincial, Territorial or municipal and as such must have the approval of the Crown (federal government).

The act that the writer is referring to in part is the Emergency Measures Act which passes certain rights to the provincial authorities to act in the event of a specific regional emergency and to have a provincial preparedness plan in effect, ie:- fire, flood, disease etc. It also gives the Provence's the new right to deal directly with affected areas in the USA if the problem in a region crosses a border area, before the act the federal government would be the sole negotiator with a foreign government, federal or state.

[Jai Dee]

PM has condemned the bombers who caused the explosion incidents at Gen Prem and Mr. Chai-anand's residences

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has condemned the bombers who yesterday exploded a security booth in front of the Seesaothewet (สี่เสาเทเวศร์) residence of Privy Council President and Statesman Prem Tinsulanonda (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์) and the residence of the Director of the Vajiravudh (วชิราวุธ) College, Mr. Chai-anand Samuthawanich (ชัยอนันต์ สมุทวณิช).

He has also urged officials to search for the bombers and persecute them.

The Prime Minister said that he would like to see the current conflicts in Thailand to end soon. However, the conclusion must not be derived from losing the democratic regime. He has reaffirmed that he will do his best and will maintain political neutrality.

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

[sriracha john]

He has also urged officials to search for the bombers and persecute them.

I thought that treatment was reserved for Sondhi's followers....

TNNBPRD strikes again...

[cclub75]

By By Martin Petty 10 March 2006 10:49 - ThaiDay -

By the way, I'm connected with True ADSL from work... And when i try http://www.thaiday.com

i got this message on white background : "No web site is configured at this address."

!!!

With a free web proxy it looks that it's working, but the page is too long to display.

Can you confirm ?

[ilyushin]

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.

Agree 100%!

[Jai Dee]

By By Martin Petty 10 March 2006 10:49 - ThaiDay -

By the way, I'm connected with True ADSL from work... And when i try http://www.thaiday.com

i got this message on white background : "No web site is configured at this address."

!!!

With a free web proxy it looks that it's working, but the page is too long to display.

Can you confirm ?

Try this link.

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Yongyut will sue media activist in an allegation of being behind the bomb incident at Mr. Chai-anand's residence

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyut Tiyapairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช) prepares to file a lawsuit against media activist Sondhi Limthongkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล), who earlier commented about the bombing incident at the residence of the Director of the Vajiravudh (วชิราวุธ) College, Mr. Chai-anand Samuthawanich (ชัยอนันต์ สมุทวณิช).

Mr. Sondhi made an allegation that the blast was created by the forestry officials, who are in charge of Mr. Yongyut's ministry.

Mr. Yongyut said that he will hand a petition against Mr. Sonthi to a court so as to proof his innocence. He added that the bombing incidents have affected the government’s image. He, however, believes that the number of demonstrators in Sanam Luang will eventually lessen after the government has clarified the facts.

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

[sriracha john]

Mr. Yongyut will sue media activist in an allegation of being behind the bomb incident at Mr. Chai-anand's residence

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyut Tiyapairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช) prepares to file a lawsuit against media activist Sondhi Limthongkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล), who earlier commented about the bombing incident at the residence of the Director of the Vajiravudh (วชิราวุธ) College, Mr. Chai-anand Samuthawanich (ชัยอนันต์ สมุทวณิช).

Mr. Sondhi made an allegation that the blast was created by the forestry officials, who are in charge of Mr. Yongyut's ministry.

So, "forestry officials" and NOT Mr. Yongyut are in charge of Mr. Yongyut's ministry??

Mr. Yongyut said that he will hand a petition against Mr. Sonthi to a court so as to proof his innocence.

A petition is proof of innocence?

He added that the bombing incidents have affected the government’s image. He, however, believes that the number of demonstrators in Sanam Luang will eventually lessen after the government has clarified the facts.

Exactly what and precisely when will they clarify anything with facts???

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

I swear I absolutely adore the TNNBPRD... they keep these extremely serious issues much more light-hearted.

[Jai Dee]

Thaksin visits Prem

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra paid a visit to Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, a day after a bomb exploded in front of Prem's house.

Thaksin arrived at Prem's house at 2:30 pm.

Source: The Nation - Breaking News

[gurkle]

Mr. Yongyut will sue media activist in an allegation of being behind the bomb incident at Mr. Chai-anand's residence

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyut Tiyapairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช) prepares to file a lawsuit against media activist Sondhi Limthongkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล), who earlier commented about the bombing incident at the residence of the Director of the Vajiravudh (วชิราวุธ) College, Mr. Chai-anand Samuthawanich (ชัยอนันต์ สมุทวณิช).

Mr. Sondhi made an allegation that the blast was created by the forestry officials, who are in charge of Mr. Yongyut's ministry.

Mr. Yongyut said that he will hand a petition against Mr. Sonthi to a court so as to proof his innocence. He added that the bombing incidents have affected the government’s image. He, however, believes that the number of demonstrators in Sanam Luang will eventually lessen after the government has clarified the facts.

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

Finally someone calling Sondhi's BS. Doesn't help the opposition to have so many loose cannons in their "alliance".

[Jai Dee]

Police urged to increase security measures for state VIPs

Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Kowit Wattana (โกวิท วัฒนะ), has stressed increased police security measures for citizens and state VIPs.

Police General Kowit commented on the bombing of a guard booth in front of Privy Councilor President Prem Tinsulanonda's (เปรม ติณสูลานนท) residence and the firecracker explosion sent to Mr. Chai_anand Samutthawanit (ชัยอนันต์ สมุทวาณิช). Mr. Chai_anand, the director of the Vajiravudh (วชิราวุธ) College, said they were incidents that merited immediate increase in police security for citizens as well as state VIPs.

Pol. Gen. Kowit accepted that police were at fault for failing to prevent the incidents from occurring, but will correct the security hole. He asked for public cooperation in informing police of any suspicious activities.

He adds that bombing was a worldwide method of gaining attention or settling disputes and was not only prevalent in Thailand, but throughout the world.

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

[Jai Dee]

Region 5 police commander orders heavy security on PM residence in Chiang Mai

The 5th regional police commander has ordered intense security around the Prime Minister's residence, consulates, and important locations throughout Chiang Mai.

Following the bombing of a guard booth in front of General Prem Tinsulanonda's residence, Police Lieutenant General Phanupong Singhra (ภาณุพงศ์ สิงหรา ณ อยุธยา), the 5th regional commander, has stressed increase police security around the Prime Minister's residence, more than 20 consulates, and the residence of VIPs in Chiang Mai. The general has ordered extra police vigilance but not extra manpower since there has yet to be signs of abnormal activities in the area.

The atmosphere in Chiang Mai Province can be described as supportive for peace, with many Chiang Mai motorists switching on their headlights as a sign of solidarity. Election turnout is sparse however, with election candidates still campaigning in the region.

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

[sriracha john]

Mr. Yongyut will sue media activist in an allegation of being behind the bomb incident at Mr. Chai-anand's residence

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyut Tiyapairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช) prepares to file a lawsuit against media activist Sondhi Limthongkul (สนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล), who earlier commented about the bombing incident at the residence of the Director of the Vajiravudh (วชิราวุธ) College, Mr. Chai-anand Samuthawanich (ชัยอนันต์ สมุทวณิช).

Mr. Sondhi made an allegation that the blast was created by the forestry officials, who are in charge of Mr. Yongyut's ministry.

Mr. Yongyut said that he will hand a petition against Mr. Sonthi to a court so as to proof his innocence. He added that the bombing incidents have affected the government’s image. He, however, believes that the number of demonstrators in Sanam Luang will eventually lessen after the government has clarified the facts.

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

Finally someone calling Sondhi's BS. Doesn't help the opposition to have so many loose cannons in their "alliance".

It'd be more damaging if Thaksin's hand-picked Natural Resources and Environment Minister was actually in charge of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry....

and... if he'd not have previously sued Sondhi four hundred and twelve times (admittedly only an estimate, but certainly somewhere in that ballpark)... without one satang ever having been awarded or having been found culpable.

For people like Sondhi, getting sued is about as troublesome as going to the local 7-11 to pick up a pack of smokes.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej just addressed this very issue in his last address to the nation, which prompted the Shin Corporation to drop no fewer than three separate pending lawsuits against Sondhi.

The Natural Resources and Environment Minister would be most wise to follow the lead of the Prime Minister and follow his policy.

[kyselak]

Thai government vows to catch culprit behind bomb blast

AP Photo XBK102

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Thailand's defense minister

pledged Friday to find those responsible for a small bomb

that exploded a day earlier in the capital, heightening

tensions amid a growing campaign to force Prime Minister

Thaksin Shinawatra from power. The blast occurred Thursday

outside the Bangkok home of former Prime Minister Prem

Tinsulanonda, now the chief adviser to the Thai king. No

one has claimed responsibility. Defense Minister Thammarak

Isarangura Na Ayutthaya blamed «people with ill intentions

who want the political situation to get worse. They want

the already tense atmosphere to explode.» His comments

echoed those of Thaksin who immediately condemned the blast

Thursday as the work of «hooligans» trying to «create

more and more trouble amid the political crisis.» Protests

against Thaksin that have drawn tens of thousands of people

have so far been nonviolent. But authorities are concerned

that rising tensions could lead to clashes ahead of snap

elections set for April 2 that the opposition has vowed to

boycott.

100239 mar 06GMT

[kyselak]

Thai PM says bomb blast by royal adviser's home linked to

other explosions

AP Photo BK101

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ The Thai government vowed Friday

to find those responsible for a small bomb that exploded in

the capital, heightening tensions amid a growing campaign

to force Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power. The

blast occurred Thursday outside the Bangkok home of former

Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda, now the chief adviser to

the Thai king. No one has claimed responsibility but the

government has cast blame on its foes. Thaksin visited Prem

as his home to discuss the bomb investigation and afterward

told reporters he believed the attack was carried out by

the same group that had planted bombs in at least two other

incidents at the offices of anti-government groups. «I

believe that the bombing is linked to previous bombings,»

Thaksin said. He ordered police to tighten security at

Prem's house. There have been seven small bomb attacks

since November at government offices and places linked with

anti-government groups.

100941 mar 06GMT

[bulmercke]

By By Martin Petty 10 March 2006 10:49 - ThaiDay -

By the way, I'm connected with True ADSL from work... And when i try http://www.thaiday.com

i got this message on white background : "No web site is configured at this address."

!!!

With a free web proxy it looks that it's working, but the page is too long to display.

Can you confirm ?

Try this: http://www.manager.co.th/IHT/ViewBrowse.as...owseNewsID=7300

[Jai Dee]

Witness to Privy Councilor bomb case queried

Police conducted additional questioning of a witness who claimed to have seen the bombing incident being carried out in front of Privy Councilor Prem Tinsulanonda's residence.

The investigative division of the 1st Metropolitan Police has brought forth a witness who claimed to have seen first-hand the bombing incident at Privy Councilor Prem's house. The witness is Sgt. Pol. Lert Shalowlew (พรเลิศ ชลอเลียว), 50 years of age, and a former war veteran. He was queried for further details of the incident, and was also asked to identify possible perpetrators of the bombing from sketches of known southern insurgent members.

Sgt. Pol. Lert stated that he normally sat and drank liquor near the Privy Councilor's residence, and noted a man who looked of southern descent drawing a diagram of the residence. He alleged that the bomb detonated shortly after this man left.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 11 March 2006

[bulmercke]

A 'suspected bomber' of Gen Prem's house shows up - THE NATION -

A man suspected of involving in the bombing outside the home of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda met with police today to clear his name after a witness claimed to have seen him just before the explosion.

Retired Sergeant Pornlert Chaloliew, 50, said he had seen a young man of apparent southern descent with scars on his neck sitting near the vacant security booth and drawing a diagram for 20 minutes. He left the scene moments before the blast.

Reading the news about a bomb suspect that fitted his profile, a cooking gas store employee Nikhom Saenon, 23, went to the Sam Sen police station in the afternoon to clear his name.

He told reporters he was at the scene because a Sam Sen policeman investigating an accident he had on November 14 had asked him to draw a depiction of the incident, which left him with the neck scars and a broken front tooth.

Sitting near the guard booth from 12.30pm to 1pm as he was drawing it, Nikhom said he saw Pornlert talking with a tall dark man aged about 30 to 35 years old, wearing a shortsleeve brown shirt, jeans and a pair of sneakers.

The former war veteran offered the man a drink which the man refused saying in a central Thai dialect that he had quit drinking five years ago. Nikhom said he did not know anything after that because he then left the scene.

Police took Nikhom into an investigation room while reporters waited outside.

Earlier yesterday, Colonel Preecha Thimamontri, head of the metropolitan police investigation team, said police were sifting the bomb scene for every possible shred of information as it was a tough case.

The bomb was homemade and could have been assembled by anyone, thus it was different to the ones used by southern insurgents, he said.

The investigators will hold another meeting early this afternoon with Metropolitan Police Commissioner LtGeneral Wiroj Chantharangsri, he said. The demolished security booth was being rebuilt and would be completed in 20 days.

While police and Army officers had boosted security around Prem's residence, DirectorGeneral of the Signals Department LtGeneral Nipon Theerapong said on Friday he would seek funds from the Army to install security cameras around the premise for better protection.