Bomb Defused At Democrat's Hq

[george]

Bomb defused at Democrat's HQ

A 1 kg TNT bomb was found Monday at the headquarters of main opposition party, and successfully defused by police before it was set to explode at 10:10 am, the party spokesman said.

The bomb was planted beside the building housing the Democrat Party's headquarters, said Democrat Party spokesman Hong-art Klampaiboon.

--The Nation 2006-03-27

[ProfessorFart]

Its started!

[lukamar]

There has also been news footage on the 1/2 hour in Thai on iTV.

[george]

Update:

Bomb defused at Democrat HQ

BANGKOK: -- Police have defused a bomb outside the Demorat Party headquarters.

"There's been a bomb threat to the Democrat Party headquarters," Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

More details were not immediately available as the Democratic headquarters in Bangkok appeared to be in chaos.

The Democrats and two other opposition parties have boycotted Sunday's snap election to highlight their belief that Thaksin has highjacked Thailand's democratic system by undermining the checks and balances against his populist rule.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday backed calls for Thaksin to resign and pave the way for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is head of state, to appoint a caretaker prime minister.

Thaksin told a rally Sunday that he was prepared to set up a national government after the election that would include representatives from the opposition parties and leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has been holding daily mass rallies against him that are bringing tens of thousands to the streets demanding Thaksin's resignation.

"The man has gone absolutely crazy," said Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the PAD leaders. "This proposal shows that Thaksin is at the end of his political career because he knows the outcome of the election will fail to secure his premiership."

Sondhi led about 1,000 protestors to Bangkok's police headquarters to lodge a complaint against Thaksin for going against the constitution in his government's unsuccessful effort to privatise the electricity company Egat.

--DPA / Bangkok Post 2006-03-27

[dan10400]

There has also been news footage on the 1/2 hour in Thai on iTV.

It made CNN about noon. you have to give thai TV a little extra time. other considerations such as whether or not an editor can get sued for defamation....

[lukamar]

There has also been news footage on the 1/2 hour in Thai on iTV.

It made CNN about noon. you have to give thai TV a little extra time. other considerations such as whether or not an editor can get sued for defamation....

On my computers in Canada i only get 3 stations consistently well, iTV is the best, Nation and TV9. Thai TV is not available on digital cable or Sat here.

[george]

Update:

Two bombs found in Democrat Party headquarter

BANGKOK: -- Two bombs were discovered early Monday close to offices of Democrat party and they were set to explode at 10.50am. But police found them before they exploded, police said on Monday.

Police were alerted at about 6.30am when a city cleaner found a box wrapped with wireless on the floor close to Kuang Apaiwongse building. She then alerted Democrat Party staffs.

When police arrived at 9.30am, they found two boxes contained the explosives which were set to explode at 10.50am. Police defused the bombs at 10.15am.

Police said, "They are TNT bombs and very light," he said.

The bombs were found as Democrat leaders were meeting in another building with other opposition parties, Democrat Party's spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said.

A small bomb exploded March 9 outside the official residence of the chief adviser to Thailand's king, but caused little damage and minor injuries to two passersby.

Another small bomb exploded on February 22 outside the offices of a Buddhist cult affiliated with Chamlong Srimuang, a former political mentor of Thailand's prime minister who is leading protests to demand the premier step down.

-- The Nation 2006-03-27

[dan10400]

Police were alerted at about 6.30am when a city cleaner found a box wrapped with wireless on the floor close to Kuang Apaiwongse building. She then alerted Democrat Party staffs.

When police arrived at 9.30am, they found two boxes contained the explosives which were set to explode at 10.50am. Police defused the bombs at 10.15am.

it took the police 3 hours to get there? or it took the party officials 3 hours before they decided to call the police?

[george]

Bombing attempt at Democrat headquarters foiled

BANGKOK: -- Thai police sucessfully defused two bombs planted near the headquarters of Thailand's main opposition party in the Samsen district of the capital Monday morning.

Party leaders were conferring inside the building at the time of the incident, Democrat party spokesman Ong-art Clarmpaiboon said.

Bombs containing TNT explosives were found by a street sweeper who alerted a Democrat party official, who called police.

The area was cordoned off and a bomb squad used high pressure water gun to defuse the 1.4 lb bomb and a half-pound bomb which were bound together.

The two devices were placed in a green box and set to explode at 10.50am, police said.

Had the bomb exploded, it would have damaged the Democrat party premises and nearby Vichaiyut Hospital, but police declined to speculate on the extent of possible damage to property and personnal.

The incident occured amid deepening political turmoil in Thailand in which the Prime Minister faces major mass protests by tens of thousands of people, calling for him to step down due to alleged corruption and abuse of power.

The protest against him became widespread after his family sold about 50 per cent of Shin Corp, the telecommunication giant to Temasek Holdings, an investment arm of the Singaporean government in late January.

--TNA 2006-03-27

[Phil Conners]

What does a box wrapped with wireless look like?

[lukamar]

What does a box wrapped with wireless look like?

It looks just like a green box wrapped in wireless. The one I saw on the TV had been blasted so it looked like a green box with a round cylinder, 2-9v batteries and some wires, so it would no longer be wireless at that point.

[hopeless]

religious or political?

[seonai]

Dear me hopeless, w2hat a hopeless question!!!!! Where have you been ?????

[Jai Dee]

Policemen are urging to investigate as a bomb had been placed at the HQ of the Democrat Party

Police officers are urgently tracking down the responsible party who placed a bomb in front of the Democrat Party's headquarters.

The Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, Lieutenant-General Achirawit Supanpesat (อชิรวิทย์ สุพรรณเภสัช), described that the bomb was set to be triggered by a clock which was set to detonate at 10.00 hours. He informed that the bomb was found at 6:00 hours today. Fortunately, the officers have defused the bomb and send it to a relevant unit for further inspection.

Concerning an armed man who joined the rally of the People’s Alliance of Democracy (PAD) last night, Lt. Gen. Achirawit said that the officials are interrogating the man, who will be later prosecuted. He said people and police officers are not allowed to carry weapons while they are joining any demonstration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

Govt urged to hunt down the bombers of Democrat Party's compound

Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ) has urged the government to hunt down the party responsible for planting a bomb at his party’s headquarters. He stated that it is unnecessary for the Democrat Party to request security officials to look after its compound.

Mr. Abhisit thanked the officers who defused the bomb planted at the headquarters of the Democrat Party this morning. He has also requested the government to track down and arrest the guilty party. He indicated that the same incidents have occurred many times but the authorities have failed to hunt down the offenders.

Mr. Abhisit, however, insisted that the incident has not caused any fear to the party members. He revealed that he has no idea whether it is related to politics or not, as the party has never faced with such incident before. He reiterated that the Democrat Party did not create the situation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

The Metro Police Bureau has dispatched officers to maintain strict security at Thai Rak Thai office

The Metro Police Bureau 1 has dispatched 50 police officers to look after Thai Rak Thai head office at New Petchaburi Road, following the protest of students from Ramkhamhaeng(รามคำแหง) University at the night of March 25th.

The officials have been instructed to inspect the venue and nearby areas as the bombs were planted at the headquarter of Democrat party this morning.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 March 2006

[britmaveric]

Could be political or could be an attempt by the lot in south to use this political turmoil against Thaksin.

[Jai Dee]

Police to call in security guards at Vichaiyuth hospital and housekeepers at Democrat Party for additional questioning on Democrat H.Q. bombing case

Police are preparing to call in the security guards at Vichaiyuth (วิชัยยุทธ) hospital and the maids at the Democrat Party Headquarters for additional questioning, in order to quickly find the perpetrator that hid a timed bomb at the Democrat Party.

Metropolitan Police Spokesman Phinit Maneerat (พินิต มณีรัตน์) spoke of the development on the case where a timed bomb was placed at the Democrat Party headquarters this morning. He said investigators from Bangsue (บางซื่อ) police station have already questioned 4-5 witnesses near the site, and will call in security guards at the nearby Vichaiyuth hospital and maids at the Democrat Party, whom spotted the bomb, for further questioning.

Metropolitan Police Commander Wiroet Chantharangsee (วิโรจน์ จันทรังษี) has ordered his deputy, Pol. Maj. Gen. Kridsada Phankhongchuen (กฤษฎา พันธุ์คงชื่น), to oversee the investigation in this case.

The spokesman of the Metropolitan Police said it is not yet conclusive whether the incident was related to the current political disputes.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 March 2006

[lukamar]

Could be political or could be an attempt by the lot in south to use this political turmoil against Thaksin.

I've often wondered if the southern group would travel to Bangkok to cause a problem during all this turmoil. If they did the other parties would most likely first point a finger at each other.

[Prakanong2005]

There has also been news footage on the 1/2 hour in Thai on iTV.

It made CNN about noon. you have to give thai TV a little extra time. other considerations such as whether or not an editor can get sued for defamation....

Or whether it might affect Tourism

I remember the morning of the Tsunami it being on BSkyB etc but nothing the GF could find on Thai TV (I will qualify that and say we might not have had access to all Thai TV channels)

[jdinasia]

Could be political or could be an attempt by the lot in south to use this political turmoil against Thaksin.

I've often wondered if the southern group would travel to Bangkok to cause a problem during all this turmoil. If they did the other parties would most likely first point a finger at each other.

Kinda defeats the purpose of terrorism not to have people know who did it and why ... doesn't it?

[Maejo Man]

quote name='george' date='2006-03-27 12:43:16' post='693920']

Update:

Police were alerted at about 6.30am when a city cleaner found a box wrapped with wireless on the floor close to Kuang Apaiwongse building. She then alerted Democrat Party staffs.

-- The Nation 2006-03-27

Was this the one?

[

[britmaveric]

Update:

Police were alerted at about 6.30am when a city cleaner found a box wrapped with wireless on the floor close to Kuang Apaiwongse building. She then alerted Democrat Party staffs.

-- The Nation 2006-03-27

Was this the one?

[

Uh they obviously wanted it to be found if thats the bomb.

Edited March 28, 2006 by britmaveric

[Maejo Man]

Uh they obviously wanted it to be found if thats the bomb.

.....but did you enlarge the pic Brit?

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Abhisit demands the govt to speed up its investigation behind the bomb attack at the Democrat HQ

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ) has demanded the government to speed up its investigation to hunt down the culprits responsible for the bomb attack at the Democrat Party headquarter.

He said that the government should put more effort in the security after a bomb was placed at the Democrat party's headquarters. He claimed that PM Shinawatra just wanted to stir up more chaos in the current political situation. Mr Abhisit said that the premier and the ruling party do not regard the bombing incident as serious although policemen have insisted that the bomb was a real one and may have caused injuries to people.

Democrat Party Chief Advisor Chuan Leekphai (ชวน หลีกภัย) speculated that the incident was not created by normal people. He said he wants to see the government 'put its act together and bring the culprit to justice.' Mr Chuan indicated that if the government does not act on the case, incidents like this may escalate and turn violent because People’s Alliance for Democracy may be threatened with such action in the future.

Mr Chuan also has requested policemen to be stay neutral when providing security and order to the general public.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

DPM Chitchai cannot determine on whether the recent bomb attempt is related with previous bombings

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) has disclosed that the party, who placed a bomb in front of the Democrat Party’s headquarters, is specialized in making a bomb. However, he said that he cannot conclude whether or not the intention is related to politics.

Pol. Gen. Chitchai said that the Cabinet did not discuss the bombing attempt. However, the government is concerned about the public safety, and it has assigned the security-related units to prevent possible violence.

As for the bomb incident in front of the Seesaothewet (สี่เสาเทเวศร์) residence of Privy Council President and Statesman Prem Tinsulanonda (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์), the Justice Minister said that his officials are waiting for the result of the investigation.

He said that he cannot determine whether this attempt was connected with the previous bombings, including those outside the residence of Gen. Prem.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

A police bomb expert holds up a defused home-made bomb found planted outside the Democrat Party’s headquarters yesterday. At right is Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr.