Protest Grenade Attack: Police Dispute PCAD's Claims

[Lite Beer]

Protest Grenade Attack: Police Dispute PCAD's Claims

By Kaosod English

The Royal Thai Police have denied the allegation that they were involved in the grenade attack on anti-government protesters yesterday.

The incident took place as supporters of People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) were marching on Banthat Thong Road, near the financial district of Bangkok, to invite citizens to join their campaign against the government.

The blast, which is believed to have been caused by a grenade, killed one PCAD supporter and injured 36 people.

PCAD guards stormed the row of abandoned buildings which line the road immediately after the attack took place to seek out the perpetrators, to no avail.

Nevertheless, they claimed to have discovered an abandoned room in one of the searched buildings, where many firearms were stored. These weapons were later displayed to the media, but only a small number of journalists were allowed to visit the alleged arsenal.

It should be noted that no police officer was present when PCAD guards discovered the weapon stack, and police officers who arrived to investigate the bomb attack were turned away by the protesters, saying that the police were not neutral. The area was instead cordoned off and maintained by Royal Thai Army soldiers.

The protesters also claimed they found a red cap with a police insignia, a police jacket, and police radio equipment in the room, suggesting that the police were behind the bomb attack. PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban repeated the accusation when he addressed the crowd later in the evening.

But Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, Chief of the Royal Thai Police, said the police were not involved in the deadly incident yesterday, insisting that the police′s duty is to provide security for the people.

Pol.Gen. Worapong Chiewpreecha, deputy chief of the Royal Thai Police, also told reporters that he believes the weapons found by PCAD guards were in fact BB guns. He stressed that the police would investigate the matter and find the perpetrators as soon as possible, but lamented the fact that soldiers have entered the crime scene before the police.

Later in the day the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) announced that forensic police had already investigated the evidence reportedly found by PCAD guards, and concluded that the weapons were plastic BB guns, with their triggers removed, which could not fire live ammunition.

Meanwhile, spokesperson of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police said that the police′s effort to provide security for the protesters was compromised by the PCAD leadership′s abrupt change of route for their demonstration yesterday.

The police were originally informed that PCAD march would take place from Lumpini Park to Phayathai Road, but the route was altered by PCAD leaders to include Banthat Thong Road at the last minute, said the police spokesman, Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul Narongsak.

"It is very abnormal, and different from the [demonstration] pattern adopted by PCAD in the past," Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul said, adding that the protesters should have allowed police officers to investigate the crime scene instead of delaying them for hours.

As for the arsenal where the weapons were allegedly found, Pol.Maj.Gen. Kamrop Panyakaew, chief of the forensic police department, said that the room was owned by a security guard who worked for Chulalongkorn University.

The owner of the room told police that he did not know anything about the weapons PCAD guards reportedly discovered there, according to Pol.Maj.Gen. Kamrop. He said the room owner only acknowledged the radio equipment and red hat as his possessions.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Kamrop added that he believes the grenade used in the attack might be a Chinese-produced RGD-5 type, but the projectile path of the grenade could only be determined by the grenade fuze found at the scene.

However, the fuze has been removed and is currently in the possession of the military, according to Pol.Maj.Gen. Kamrop.

Additionally, Pol.Maj.Gen. Pattanawuth Angkanawin, a senior police officer in Narathiwat province, announced in a press conference today that the protesters′ claim that the red cap found near the bomb attack scene bears the insignia similar to Narathiwat special ops police is false.

Showing a police-issued red hat to the reporters, Pol.Maj.Gen. Pattanawuth said the insignia on the cap found by the protesters is markedly different. He also insisted that Narathiwat police force has not been involved in the ongoing political protests in Bangkok.

"Please don′t pull us into politics," Pol.Maj.Gen. Pattanawuth said, "The southern insurgency alone is already killing us".

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1EQTFNekF5TlE9PQ==&catid=03

-- Khaosod English 2014-01-18

[Nowhereman60]

The more the truth comes out the more it looks like a cover up by the anti government protesters and their leaders. But it seems to have failed.

[Tarric]

This feels more like a false flag attack every day. BB guns (that don't even have any triggers), any forensic evidence destroyed by PDRC trampling through the crime scene, evidence in the hands of the military instead of the police investigators, it all seems very suspicious to me.

The fact the alleged bomber didn't even have a single live fire weapon yet was apparently in posession of deadly grenade seems very strange indeed. If the bomber was part of any armed group (like Police spec ops) you could expect them to have at least an effective sidearm, perhaps even an assault rifle. After all this is Thailand we are talking about getting firearms is not that difficult if you know people in the right places, as I would imagine someone in police special operations would.

[JRSoul]

The more the truth comes out the more it looks like a cover up by the anti government protesters and their leaders. But it seems to have failed.

In your hardly humble and ever so slightly biased opinion.

[Tatsujin]

The more the truth comes out the more it looks like a cover up by the anti government protesters and their leaders. But it seems to have failed.

You mean the "truth" as put forward by the Govt and Police who have proven so trustworthy and honest over the years?

If you put the words "Govt" or "Police" in any statement, I'm going to take what they claim with a VERY large pinch of salt.

Edited January 19, 2014 by Tatsujin

[Thailand]

If it looks like a duck,talks like a duck, walks like a duck- chances are it's a duck.

If you are not sure what that means replace "duck" with "setup".

[englishoak]

The police were originally informed that PCAD march would take place from Lumpini Park to Phayathai Road, but the route was altered by PCAD leaders to include Banthat Thong Road at the last minute, said the police spokesman, Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul Narongsak.

"It is very abnormal, and different from the [demonstration] pattern adopted by PCAD in the past," Pol.Maj.Gen. Adul said, adding that the protesters should have allowed police officers to investigate the crime scene instead of delaying them for hours.

Don't think it was the RTP somehow, looking very very bad for the PCAD..... hang on when did they change the name from PDRC ?? have they been talking to their resident protest leading monk about the bad luck and decided a name change might help ?

[NongKhaiKid]

Saying ' please don't pull us into politics ' is a bit late as so many police officers are up to their necks in it already.

Wasn't there a photo recently of a senior officer in Hong Kong to receive an award from Taksin and since he was in full uniform he can hardly claim he was there in a private capacity. I don't remember any suggestion of disciplinary proceedings.

I think it's only right not to single out the police though as there's no institution etc in the country that isn't involved in politics one way or another as individuals seek to feather their own nest. Does the word apolitical exist here ?

[chooka]

The more the truth comes out the more it looks like a cover up by the anti government protesters and their leaders. But it seems to have failed.

In your hardly humble and ever so slightly biased opinion.

Are you saying that everyone of those 6 million people gathered in BKK supporting Suthep is pure and innocent and would never resort to violence?

[diceq]

Nothing about the video that surfaced yesterday. Fair and balanced reporting like Fox News.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The more the truth comes out the more it looks like a cover up by the anti government protesters and their leaders. But it seems to have failed.

In your hardly humble and ever so slightly biased opinion.

Sure. Anyway, over to the other English language newspaper in Thailand then. They report flatly that a 'Democrat Aide' is a suspect in the bombing (murder). But those kinds of articles you don't see in The Nation and affiliated media/forums.

Do a google search for " democrat-aide-sought-over-blast "

[nputman]

Certainly fails the smell test.

[JRSoul]

The more the truth comes out the more it looks like a cover up by the anti government protesters and their leaders. But it seems to have failed.

In your hardly humble and ever so slightly biased opinion.

Sure. Anyway, over to the other English language newspaper in Thailand then. They report flatly that a 'Democrat Aide' is a suspect in the bombing (murder). But those kinds of articles you don't see in The Nation and affiliated media/forums.

Do a google search for " democrat-aide-sought-over-blast "

The BP article states no such thing. It reports they are seeking the owner of the pickup, no mention is made of him being a suspect.

[Tatsujin]

The more the truth comes out the more it looks like a cover up by the anti government protesters and their leaders. But it seems to have failed.

In your hardly humble and ever so slightly biased opinion.

Sure. Anyway, over to the other English language newspaper in Thailand then. They report flatly that a 'Democrat Aide' is a suspect in the bombing (murder). But those kinds of articles you don't see in The Nation and affiliated media/forums.

Do a google search for " democrat-aide-sought-over-blast "

Not unusual to look for the driver of a vehicle that was attacked, nor is it unusual for them to look for the owner of said vehicle.

"Pol Col Khamthon Ouicharoen, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialist attached to the Patrol and Special Operations Division, said it was unlikely the grenade had been thrown from the pickup said to be owned by an anti-government protester."

So who's right then?

[Thait Spot]

The more the truth comes out the more it looks like a cover up by the anti government protesters and their leaders. But it seems to have failed.

In your hardly humble and ever so slightly biased opinion.

Sure. Anyway, over to the other English language newspaper in Thailand then. They report flatly that a 'Democrat Aide' is a suspect in the bombing (murder). But those kinds of articles you don't see in The Nation and affiliated media/forums.

Do a google search for " democrat-aide-sought-over-blast "

More dishonesty from you.

His does "sought" equate to "suspect"?

How can anyone take you seriously?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[LevelHead]

Front page of the Bangkok Post says it all.

Appears to be Democrat Party aide that is being sought by police. Man in white hat walks up from behind, drops something and quickly goes to hide behind a nearby pole before explosion.

[LevelHead]

Everything about this says set up, in my opinion. PDRC bombing PDRC in order to try to get sympathy, get army to coup and also raise more money, in my opinion.

PDRC leaders changing the route at the last minute to walk past these empty shop houses, a road never walked before.

PDRC guards and protestors go into the building to violate the alleged crime scene before police/army arrive.

PDRC guards do not allow police to enter.

PDRC only allow army to enter.

And now, caught on film, man in white hat (protestors) drops grenade and hides behind pole and then departs the scene after explosion without a care for any injured person or what is happening.

Edited January 19, 2014 by LevelHead

[englishoak]

So just who is PCAD ? did they change the name before or after the explosion ? if before then this man wanted for questioning has nothing to do with the movement, that was the PDRC ... oh here we go again with the peoples front Monty Python sketch again.

[Fryslan boppe]

".... police officers who arrived to investigate the bomb attack were turned away by the protesters, saying that the police were not neutral. The area was instead cordoned off and maintained by Royal Thai Army soldiers"

This is a telling quote...This reflects the view held by the UDD/RS/PTP that the military is in league with the protesters, and that in fact many of the guards are military types...There is a general conclusion that the military is there primarily to defend the protesters from Police analysis of their activities and investigations...There have been several other instances discussed on Social Media, of soldiers preventing Police investigations of protester use of explosives....The protesters need explosives to create an environment of confrontation and anarchy...They would love to link Red Shirts to these gratuitous explosions...Another sign of military complicity is the use of explosives in the first place...It takes a certain amount of expertise to do that, which again points back to them...It is felt by the UDD/RS/PTP that the military is 'chafing at the bit' to launch a self-serving coup, with self-righteous indignation about needing to contain the violence they are in part perpetrating themselves....This is not opinion, and you may agree or disagree, but it summarizes some of the stuff that is circulating on Social Media amongst those seeking to preserve Electoral Democracy. Protecting it over against the entrenched elite who are attempting to nullify and/or dilute Electoral Democracy in order to restore their pre-Thaksin political hegemony in a way that protects it going forward.

[Tatsujin]

Everything about this says set up, in my opinion. PDRC bombing PDRC in order to try to get sympathy, get army to coup and also raise more money, in my opinion.

PDRC leaders changing the route at the last minute to walk past these empty shop houses, a road never walked before.

PDRC guards and protestors go into the building to violate the alleged crime scene before police/army arrive.

PDRC guards do not allow police to enter.

PDRC only allow army to enter.

And now, caught on film, man in white hat (protestors) drops grenade and hides behind pole and then departs the scene after explosion without a care for any injured person or what is happening.

Ah, so now it's a guy in a white hat who walks past that drops the grenade? It wasn't dropped from the truck as previously claimed?

[Rich teacher]

Not this guy by any chance

[Tatsujin]

".... police officers who arrived to investigate the bomb attack were turned away by the protesters, saying that the police were not neutral. The area was instead cordoned off and maintained by Royal Thai Army soldiers"

This is a telling quote...This reflects the view held by the UDD/RS/PTP that the military is in league with the protesters, and that in fact many of the guards are military types...There is a general conclusion that the military is there primarily to defend the protesters from Police analysis of their activities and investigations...There have been several other instances discussed on Social Media, of soldiers preventing Police investigations of protester use of explosives....The protesters need explosives to create an environment of confrontation and anarchy...They would love to link Red Shirts to these gratuitous explosions...Another sign of military complicity is the use of explosives in the first place...It takes a certain amount of expertise to do that, which again points back to them...It is felt by the UDD/RS/PTP that the military is 'chafing at the bit' to launch a self-serving coup, with self-righteous indignation about needing to contain the violence they are in part perpetrating themselves....This is not opinion, and you may agree or disagree, but it summarizes some of the stuff that is circulating on Social Media amongst those seeking to preserve Electoral Democracy. Protecting it over against the entrenched elite who are attempting to nullify and/or dilute Electoral Democracy in order to restore their pre-Thaksin political hegemony in a way that protects it going forward.

So, we have the military protecting/supporting the anti-Govt protestors, and the Police protecting/supporting the pro-Govt supporters, is that correct?

Edited January 19, 2014 by Tatsujin

[JRSoul]

".... police officers who arrived to investigate the bomb attack were turned away by the protesters, saying that the police were not neutral. The area was instead cordoned off and maintained by Royal Thai Army soldiers"

This is a telling quote...This reflects the view held by the UDD/RS/PTP that the military is in league with the protesters, and that in fact many of the guards are military types...There is a general conclusion that the military is there primarily to defend the protesters from Police analysis of their activities and investigations...There have been several other instances discussed on Social Media, of soldiers preventing Police investigations of protester use of explosives....The protesters need explosives to create an environment of confrontation and anarchy...They would love to link Red Shirts to these gratuitous explosions...Another sign of military complicity is the use of explosives in the first place...It takes a certain amount of expertise to do that, which again points back to them...It is felt by the UDD/RS/PTP that the military is 'chafing at the bit' to launch a self-serving coup, with self-righteous indignation about needing to contain the violence they are in part perpetrating themselves....This is not opinion, and you may agree or disagree, but it summarizes some of the stuff that is circulating on Social Media amongst those seeking to preserve Electoral Democracy. Protecting it over against the entrenched elite who are attempting to nullify and/or dilute Electoral Democracy in order to restore their pre-Thaksin political hegemony in a way that protects it going forward.

Hand grenades are one of the simplest weapons since the wooden club. Any idiot could manage to use one, though that "certain amount of expertise" is possibly beyond your capabilities.

[Gone]

Actually the "granader" ran into that building and I assume had pre-planted the "bb-guns" and the red hat with the police insignia on it hoping that the protesters would follow him strait away, discover the plant and retaliate against the police which would then bring in the army and vualah.......COUP.

Nice try Suthep you.....MORON..........You killed again didn't you?

[Halion]

Just more of the same that inundates this country. It would take less than 30 seconds to determine whether this arms cache was in fact the real deal or simply BB guns and yet the police have had these in their possession and are still non committal. Furthermore, it is preposterous to suggest that by the examination of the fuse that they could determine the grenade trajectory. It is such inane comments that cause suspicion in both the integrity and ability of the RTP.

[classic-chassis]

The more the truth comes out the more it looks like a cover up by the anti government protesters and their leaders. But it seems to have failed.

You mean the "truth" as put forward by the Govt and Police who have proven so trustworthy and honest over the years?

If you put the words "Govt" or "Police" in any statement, I'm going to take what they claim with a VERY large pinch of salt.

so in the same sense, when the dems have been the ruling party, or if the current protests manage to oust PT and suthep gets his council in power, everything that has come or will come from them should be taken with a large pinch of salt because its likely to be false? Or is it just the current party which lies?

[truk39]

So just who is PCAD ? did they change the name before or after the explosion ? if before then this man wanted for questioning has nothing to do with the movement, that was the PDRC ... oh here we go again with the peoples front Monty Python sketch again.

Kaosod uses the initials PCAD when referring to the PDRC. They translated the Thai name for PDRC and feel that PCAD is more correct translation, so they refuse to use the English name provided by the group.

Sent from my MB886 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[englishoak]

So just who is PCAD ? did they change the name before or after the explosion ? if before then this man wanted for questioning has nothing to do with the movement, that was the PDRC ... oh here we go again with the peoples front Monty Python sketch again.

Kaosod uses the initials PCAD when referring to the PDRC. They translated the Thai name for PDRC and feel that PCAD is more correct translation, so they refuse to use the English name provided by the group.

Sent from my MB886 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

ahh that old Thai/stubborness. Thank you very much for clarifying

Edited January 19, 2014 by englishoak

[Cylon]

They were very quick to pay out a million Baht compensation

[FangFerang]

This situation is ambiguous. All indicators point to more obfuscation forthcoming from all sides. There are comments from many sources claiming a 'third' party, but I would think there are two 'third parties' because both sides have a militant faction.

The photo ops are sickeningly insincere. Both sides wage tears in front of reporters. The foreign media is trying to explain 'Thainess' in fourteen sentences (and good luck with that).

This scenario would send Sherlock Holmes packing back to merry old England to begin a new career as a hatter, with a kilo of bottled mercury in hand.

Amazing Thailand. It's the people.