Dozens injured in grenade attack in central Bangkok

[webfact]

Dozens injured in grenade attack
The Nation


Two of the people injured in yesterday

Protest leader expects more attacks; weapons found in deserted building

BANGKOK: -- Violence heightened yesterday afternoon when a march by anti-government protesters in central Bangkok was hit by a grenade attack that left at least 36 people injured.

The blast was the first attack in broad daylight and occurred close to protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban. A total of 26 men and 10 women were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Members of the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit said later that they believe the bomb was a Chinese-made grenade. It was thought to have been thrown from a deserted building on Banthad Thong Road into a crowd of protesters joining a march led by Suthep.

Some guards of the protest leaders claimed they had found a grenade safety pin in a deserted building, from which the bomb was reportedly thrown.

Yesterday's incident was the latest in a series of violent attacks targeting the seven protest sites in the city and places belonging to supporters or sympathisers of the movement, including opposition politicians. Hand grenades and assault rifles were among the weapons used.

About half an hour after the attack, the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order warned members of the public and state officials against joining street protests organised by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

CAPO said legal action would be taken against not only protest leaders but also ordinary protesters.

Reading a statement for a live broadcast, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog noted that under the Criminal Code the offence of insurrection carried severe penalties. He said any supporter of the protest movement, including those donating money, would be deemed to be violating the law.

His warning was also directed at state officials who take part in the protest or sympathise with the protesters. They would face not only disciplinary action but also criminal prosecution and the reputation of their family would be negatively affected, he warned.

Pracha did not mention the bomb attack in the statement but told reporters later that he had been informed about the incident.

There have been many marches without incident since the protest began in November. But with intense pressure on the government five days after the "Bangkok shutdown" began, analysts said pro-government supporters might want to deter people from joining rallies aimed at getting the caretaker PM to step down.

Suthep, who was not injured, was immediately taken away from the area by bodyguards.

The blast happened shortly before Suthep was due to march past the spot, according to PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan.

"The bomb went off about 30 metres from Suthep and then his bodyguards escorted him back to a rally stage," he was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse.

There have been drive-by shootings by unknown assailants at rally sites and grenade attacks on the houses of opposition politicians, including Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who is in charge of the CAPO, said yesterday that the attacks were plotted to incite violence.

"A movement has been set up to create a situation of bomb attacks against leaders' houses and protesters," he told reporters.

Satit Wongnongtaey, another protest leader and former Democrat MP, said he expected more attacks around the protest sites in the coming days.

Inside the deserted building, an assortment of war weapons was found in a room. Officers from the Army Ordnance Corps entered the building with TV camera crews and protester guards. In addition to the grenade safety pin, they found weapons, including unassembled parts of an M16 assault rifle, according to the pro-opposition Bluesky satellite-based television channel.

It reported that in the room there were also a refrigerator, clothes, a bath towel, food, and a red cap.

Meanwhile, Piyaman Tejapaibul, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the bomb attack against anti-government protesters in Banthad Thong would have a negative impact on the tourism sector.

"Local travel agents with overseas partners have evaluated the reaction from their foreign clients when hearing about such violence, and how particular countries will increase the warning level to their people on coming to Thailand," she said.

"However, the bomb attack will primarily affect the tourism industry in Thailand during the Chinese New Year period, which will run from the end of January to the beginning of February."

The total number of Chinese tourists coming to Thailand this month is forecast at about 400,000.

Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the bomb attack on the procession led by People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban at noon yesterday sent a signal that the political tension had escalated into violence. The incident might draw a greater number of demonstrators.

-- The Nation 2014-01-18

_______________________________________________

One dead after Bangkok protest blast: officials

BANGKOK, January 18, 2014 (AFP) - A Thai protester injured in a bomb attack at an opposition march in Bangkok has died of his wounds, officials said Saturday, a day after the blast that has ramped up tensions around rallies aimed at toppling the government.

Dozens were injured in the explosion which happened as protesters neared a busy intersection in the shopping district of the city on Friday afternoon.

The capital's Erawan emergency centre said the man died early Saturday.

"He died from severe loss of blood after suffering shrapnel wounds to his major internal organs," an official from the centre told AFP.

The 46-year-old man is the ninth person to die during weeks of anti-government demonstrations in the Thai capital, which are trying to force Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office and derail February 2 elections.

Authorities and demonstrators both blamed each other for the blast, which was apparently caused by a grenade-type device thrown from a nearby building.

Officials said another 37 people were injured in the explosion, with 11 remaining in hospital.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-01-18

[Emptyset]

Inside the deserted building, an assortment of war weapons was found in a room. Officers from the Army Ordnance Corps entered the building with TV camera crews and protester guards. In addition to the grenade safety pin, they found weapons, including unassembled parts of an M16 assault rifle, according to the pro-opposition Bluesky satellite-based television channel.

The M16 'assault rifle' was a BB gun. The Nation is certainly trying hard to make it appear as though the govt planned the attack to intimidate people (despite the fact protest numbers were falling), yet hasn't questioned why Akanat decided to change the route yesterday morning to go down the road where the attack took place (and then lied that he'd changed the route). I am not blaming either side because there isn't enough evidence for that, but any credible newspaper would have questions to ask about the suspicious goings on, not all of which point towards the government side as culpable.

Edited January 17, 2014 by Emptyset

[tominbkk]

I would think carrying people like they are doing in the pic would be quite harmful to the victims if they are really hurt.

[theslime]

Deputy PM Pracha Promnog said anyone supporting Protesters can be arrested, Hmm Lucky we here on TV are neutral.

[Robby nz]

CAPO said legal action would be taken against not only protest leaders but also ordinary protesters.

So CAPO;s response to the bombing is to threaten the protesters.

[JoeThePoster]

The total number of Chinese tourists coming to Thailand this month is forecast at about 400,000.

They better not cancel if they want to show any support for their hiso cousins.

[idiot farang]

colour me cynical, but i try to apply logic when evaluating such incidents and...

one has to ask who has the most to gain from such an incident at this time? the turn out for the protests has diminished greatly- to the point where you've got maybe 100 people at Asoke, while other 'shut down' intersections were no more. just seems like a very odd time for anyone on the other side to throw petrol on a flame that is dying out on its own. right?

and then the building the grenade is thrown from just happens to have a cache of weapons. gmafb. it's like a bad Thai soap opera where everyone knows what's coming in advance.

all i'm saying is that i'm pretty sure the fearless leader of the protest movement made damn sure that the attacker had been tested and retested to make sure he understood how far 30 meters is!

[bangkokheat]

Reading a statement for a live broadcast, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog noted that under the Criminal Code the offence of insurrection carried severe penalties. He said any supporter of the protest movement, including those donating money, would be deemed to be violating the law.

His warning was also directed at state officials who take part in the protest or sympathise with the protesters. They would face not only disciplinary action but also criminal prosecution and the reputation of their family would be negatively affected, he warned.

empty threats, we know it and so do they

[Bluespunk]

People are attacked and injured by those against the protests and CAPO issues threats against those exercising their democratic right to protest. Typical PT.

Edited January 18, 2014 by Bluespunk

[smutcakes]

colour me cynical, but i try to apply logic when evaluating such incidents and...

one has to ask who has the most to gain from such an incident at this time? the turn out for the protests has diminished greatly- to the point where you've got maybe 100 people at Asoke, while other 'shut down' intersections were no more. just seems like a very odd time for anyone on the other side to throw petrol on a flame that is dying out on its own. right?

and then the building the grenade is thrown from just happens to have a cache of weapons. gmafb. it's like a bad Thai soap opera where everyone knows what's coming in advance.

all i'm saying is that i'm pretty sure the fearless leader of the protest movement made dam_n sure that the attacker had been tested and retested to make sure he understood how far 30 meters is!

haha very good.

No idea who this was, but it all does seem a bit convenient. Knowing the route of the march in advance, lobbing something 30 meters away from Suthep 'shortly' before he arrived, the culprit lobbing his explosive from his weapon cache safe house' etc etc. As some mentioned yesterday, i am surprised they did not bother leaving their ID card.

You would of thought if they actually wanted to kill someone, especially Suthep they would have waited for him to get there and then shot him, lobbed a number of grenades actually at him. After all according to Abhisit they are very well organized and planned.

[Briggsy]

A lot of those injured look like there is nothing wrong with them.

This looks like yet another fake staged stunt.

The tales in Thai politics are as ridiculous as the plots in Thai soaps.

[Prbkk]

People are attacked and injured by those against the protests and CAPO issues threats against those exercising their democratic right to protest. Typical PT.

Agree that's it's very foolish to try to intimidate people and threaten them if they protest. On the other hand , this is so orchestrated that it defies belief that this was a serious treat to Mr suthep. Even now, many hours after the event, The Nation persists with the misinformation that the device landed 30 metres from him....the more credible paper ( and other sources) says it was 200 metres away. But I don't like CAPO trying to intimidate people into staying away. Bullies.

[Curt1591]

I would think carrying people like they are doing in the pic would be quite harmful to the victims if they are really hurt.

They are just trying to help!

[pipkins]

So to recap from yesterday.

Proof that PDRC did this.

The Police and Red shirts, whilst not knowing the Route in Advance, set up camp slept ate and had fridge and food there? NO

This crack squad hung around there for days wearing red police hats and Police ID? NO

The PDRC routed the march at the last minute past a deserted housing estate... WHY

PDRC were only people allowed in to search. Did they plant hat etc. OF COURSE

DID PDRC bar Police from crime scene and then blame them later for not investigating. YES

Do most independent members of the press buy the PDRC Version... Or Course not. Follow BBC Journos on Twitter for proof of this.

First thing one of them said was "if the gunman didn't know the route, how could he have laid in wait" "Only PDRC knew route and then at last minute. Very convenient that it want past a place that a bomb could be thrown from, and luckily the throwers were not caught. Might have been very embarrassing.

Are educated Western people on this forum saying that an undercover police hit team hung around in a PDRC area for a week wearing bright red police special forces hats and ordering in food?.... Crazy crazy that people are swallowing these fairytales that were only really meant to fire up the Thais on there side.

Looks like the Western Eduation system is performing very badly on rational thinking and thought process.. But, you believe what you want.

[wirat69]

? the turn out for the protests has diminished greatly- to the point where you've got maybe 100 people at Asoke, while other 'shut down' intersections were no more.

Perhaps you mean 100,000 at Asoke, maybe more.... open your eyes and stop living up to your pseudonym

[Fryslan boppe]

A lot of those injured look like there is nothing wrong with them.

This looks like yet another fake staged stunt.

The tales in Thai politics are as ridiculous as the plots in Thai soaps.

A staged stunt it probably was, but I understand people were seriously injured...As I mentioned in another Post, video evidence is now circulating on the social media and its' all-seeing video eyes, that the so-called bomb was hurled from a truck within the procession....Just more evidence of these coup-mongers needing to ratchet up mayhem NOW......Once the election takes place as it surely must, in order to keep the electoral majority on the sidelines of this street stuff, the coup-mongers will be faced with another reality that they must address....Then they need to ensure that the election does not bring back any sense of political normality. It will be imperative for them to create a situation of ungovernability....There is concern about how long Bangkokians will tolerate this stuff. I am more wary of how long the electoral majority nation-wide will sit on the sidelines. They are not amused by the attempt to nullify their previous votes. Like demanding a do-over of the last election by its' losers.

Edited January 18, 2014 by Fryslan boppe

[Curt1591]

colour me cynical, but i try to apply logic when evaluating such incidents and...

one has to ask who has the most to gain from such an incident at this time? the turn out for the protests has diminished greatly- to the point where you've got maybe 100 people at Asoke, while other 'shut down' intersections were no more. just seems like a very odd time for anyone on the other side to throw petrol on a flame that is dying out on its own. right?

and then the building the grenade is thrown from just happens to have a cache of weapons. gmafb. it's like a bad Thai soap opera where everyone knows what's coming in advance.

all i'm saying is that i'm pretty sure the fearless leader of the protest movement made dam_n sure that the attacker had been tested and retested to make sure he understood how far 30 meters is!

haha very good.

No idea who this was, but it all does seem a bit convenient. Knowing the route of the march in advance, lobbing something 30 meters away from Suthep 'shortly' before he arrived, the culprit lobbing his explosive from his weapon cache safe house' etc etc. As some mentioned yesterday, i am surprised they did not bother leaving their ID card.

You would of thought if they actually wanted to kill someone, especially Suthep they would have waited for him to get there and then shot him, lobbed a number of grenades actually at him. After all according to Abhisit they are very well organized and planned.

Not only did he know the route in advance, he knew the last minute change in the route.

They did leave an "ID card" - one red cap!

[roamer]

? the turn out for the protests has diminished greatly- to the point where you've got maybe 100 people at Asoke, while other 'shut down' intersections were no more.

Perhaps you mean 100,000 at Asoke, maybe more.... open your eyes and stop living up to your pseudonym

100k ? Thai maths graduate ?

[idiot farang]

colour me cynical, but i try to apply logic when evaluating such incidents and...

one has to ask who has the most to gain from such an incident at this time? the turn out for the protests has diminished greatly- to the point where you've got maybe 100 people at Asoke, while other 'shut down' intersections were no more. just seems like a very odd time for anyone on the other side to throw petrol on a flame that is dying out on its own. right?

and then the building the grenade is thrown from just happens to have a cache of weapons. gmafb. it's like a bad Thai soap opera where everyone knows what's coming in advance.

all i'm saying is that i'm pretty sure the fearless leader of the protest movement made dam_n sure that the attacker had been tested and retested to make sure he understood how far 30 meters is!

haha very good.

No idea who this was, but it all does seem a bit convenient. Knowing the route of the march in advance, lobbing something 30 meters away from Suthep 'shortly' before he arrived, the culprit lobbing his explosive from his weapon cache safe house' etc etc. As some mentioned yesterday, i am surprised they did not bother leaving their ID card.

You would of thought if they actually wanted to kill someone, especially Suthep they would have waited for him to get there and then shot him, lobbed a number of grenades actually at him. After all according to Abhisit they are very well organized and planned.

yeah. what is shocking to me is how there are so many here on TV who are outraged that 'the government' did this. to me, it's such an obvious attempt by Suthep to take it up a notch that, if it were in a movie, i'd feel my intelligence was being insulted by the director. since it's real life, people (and supporters) should be going after him for such a stunt. as i said in a post a few days ago, the majority of imported from the south protesters are pawns, just as the red shirts from the north were pawns 4 years ago. and pawns get positioned and sacrificed.

so why isn't anybody offended by that? an IQ over 90 tells you who did this...

[Bluespunk]

So to recap from yesterday.

Proof that PDRC did this.

The Police and Red shirts, whilst not knowing the Route in Advance, set up camp slept ate and had fridge and food there? NO

This crack squad hung around there for days wearing red police hats and Police ID? NO

The PDRC routed the march at the last minute past a deserted housing estate... WHY

PDRC were only people allowed in to search. Did they plant hat etc. OF COURSE

DID PDRC bar Police from crime scene and then blame them later for not investigating. YES

Do most independent members of the press buy the PDRC Version... Or Course not. Follow BBC Journos on Twitter for proof of this.

First thing one of them said was "if the gunman didn't know the route, how could he have laid in wait" "Only PDRC knew route and then at last minute. Very convenient that it want past a place that a bomb could be thrown from, and luckily the throwers were not caught. Might have been very embarrassing.

Are educated Western people on this forum saying that an undercover police hit team hung around in a PDRC area for a week wearing bright red police special forces hats and ordering in food?.... Crazy crazy that people are swallowing these fairytales that were only really meant to fire up the Thais on there side.

Looks like the Western Eduation system is performing very badly on rational thinking and thought process.. But, you believe what you want.

Plenty doing that already.

[moonao]

Please don't kill suthep , let him rot in jail

[idiot farang]

? the turn out for the protests has diminished greatly- to the point where you've got maybe 100 people at Asoke, while other 'shut down' intersections were no more.

Perhaps you mean 100,000 at Asoke, maybe more.... open your eyes and stop living up to your pseudonym

unless you're living in a propaganda bubble, it's pretty well known the number of protesters reached laughable levels at times yesterday. 100,000? was that Suthep's count? lol

as to my nick- a drunk Thai was railing on about how superior Thai's are to foreigners and kept repeating that we're ALL 'idiot farang'. i found it amusing given the source. besides, all the clever nicks were already taken...

[Curt1591]

Please don't kill suthep , let him rot in jail

These guys don't go to jail.

He'll probably wind up in Dubai, sipping cocktails with another fugitive, after a round of golf!

[gabruce]

Inside the deserted building, an assortment of war weapons was found in a room. Officers from the Army Ordnance Corps entered the building with TV camera crews and protester guards. In addition to the grenade safety pin, they found weapons, including unassembled parts of an M16 assault rifle, according to the pro-opposition Bluesky satellite-based television channel.

The M16 'assault rifle' was a BB gun. The Nation is certainly trying hard to make it appear as though the govt planned the attack to intimidate people (despite the fact protest numbers were falling), yet hasn't questioned why Akanat decided to change the route yesterday morning to go down the road where the attack took place (and then lied that he'd changed the route). I am not blaming either side because there isn't enough evidence for that, but any credible newspaper would have questions to ask about the suspicious goings on, not all of which point towards the government side as culpable.

Where did you find out that it was a BB gun? Verified?

[webfact]

BANTHAD THONG BLAST
46-year-old man succumbs to injuries
Pongphon Sarnsamak

BANGKOK: -- A 46-year-old anti-government protester Prakong Chuchan has succumbed to the severe injuries caused by the bomb attract on Friday on Banthad Thong Road, according to the emergency medical services agency.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Erawan Emergency Medical Services Centre reported that he was sent to Ramathibodi hospital to undergo treatment and died at 01.30 am on Saturday.

Ramathibodi reports that Prakong was pronounced dead at 1.57 am on Saturday from losing a lot of blood due to the complication such as acute renal failure, peripheral failure, and acid in blood.

He was injured from the bomb shrapnel which had pierced his left chest and damaged main artery. The bomb shrapnel also caused the lacerated wound at his lung.

About 12 injured protesters were sent to undergo treatment at the hospital. Six of them had been already discharged.


-- The Nation 2014-01-18

[webfact]

RT @ChadapornLin: Suthep vowed on stage yesterday he will continue his march around Bkk at 10am today despite bombing yesterday

[Mackie]

It beggars belief that some of posters continually accusing PDRC of committing acts of violence against themselves. It's absolutely laughable accusation. Why? Anyone who knows Bankokians knows well that they do not condone violence. Furthermore, Bangkokians are afraid of violence. They simply do not like it and stay away from it. Since violent acts started the numbers started dropping. A fact which is difficult to refute.

Edited January 18, 2014 by Mackie

[boomerangutang]

It's doubtful the Shinawatre gov't will pursue the perpetrators diligently. Law enforcement is inept and highly subjective here in Thailand.

[JRSoul]

A lot of those injured look like there is nothing wrong with them.

This looks like yet another fake staged stunt.

The tales in Thai politics are as ridiculous as the plots in Thai soaps.

The dead guy really went overboard with faking it though.

[angsta]

There is some good news hidden here. The amount of Chinese tourists entering the kingdom is down.