Gunfire and bomb explosions rock two protest sites in Bangkok

[webfact]

Gunfire and bomb explosions rock two protest sites



BANGKOK: -- Gunshots were fired and small bombs were thrown at guards giving protection to anti-government protesters at Lard Phrao intersection and Chaengwattana but no one was hurt. But a ten-wheel truck parked in front of Lak Si district office was riddled with bullet holes on its front windshield and body.

The gun and bomb attack at Lard Phrao protest site happened at about 1.00a.m. today.

A dark Toyota Yaris sedan with no license plate was seen on the outbound lane of the Vibhavadi Rangsit road and was heading to Don Tollway gate. As the car was on the toll way, several shots were fired into the protesters’ guards, followed by a loud bomb explosion.

The car fled toward Don Muang.

The attack forced security guards of anti-government protesters to call in nearby soldiers to help in the inspection. Soldiers were then deployed on the flyover overlooking the protest site below to ensure security for protesters.

But two a half hours later, several gunshots were also heard, followed by another bomb explosion, forcing protesters nearby to run for cover. Nobody was hurt.

Meanwhile at the Chaengwattana protest site, a series of gunshots were heard before dawn today near the Laksi district office where protesters used a ten-wheel truck to blockade traffic at the front of the office. Inspection later found that the windshield of the ten-wheeler from Nakhon Pathom province was riddled with about 10 bullet holes. No one was hurt in the gun attack.

Security guards of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee were coordinating with the police and soldiers to inspect the damaged truck and collect evidence.

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/gunfire-bomb-explosions-rock-two-protest-sites/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-01

[EyesWideOpen]

Land of smiles ???

[angsta]

Last roll of the dice (grenade?)

[noikrit]

And the Police ???? ................

[londonthai]

judging by an amatourish performance, a big chance that locals are showing, what they think about bangkok shutdown.

wait till tomorrow for an escalation of violence around polling stations

[IAMSOBAD]

This will never stop because they have zero regard for life and zero respect for other human beings. It makes me sad to finally see the truth.

[ManopY]

Land of smiles ???

There is a Thai proverb that says => "when the smiles disappear, the knives are not far"!

[Ruin]

Let the games begin

[ManopY]

And the Police ???? ................

[tomyummer]

Darn the Toyota Yaris. Everyone knows it's the new mafia getaway car able to blend into the traffic at every turn. Pure power and stealth.

I frankly think the Honda Jazz holds more gunmen.

[JRSoul]

"Golly Dad, the Red Medal of Valour with Thaksin's face on it! What did you do to win that?"

"I shot a truck, son!"

"Wow, my HERO!"

[ManopY]

judging by an amatourish performance, a big chance that locals are showing, what they think about bangkok shutdown.

wait till tomorrow for an escalation of violence around polling stations

Yes for sure, the average LOCALS have automatic riffles at home!

[firebasejay]

Darn the Toyota Yaris. Everyone knows it's the new mafia getaway car able to blend into the traffic at every turn. Pure power and stealth.

I frankly think the Honda Jazz holds more gunmen.

eh, this is southeast asia. there's no limit to how many gunmen you can fit in or on a vehicle no matter the make or model

[TVGerry]

Shinawatra democracy at its best!

[londonthai]

Yes for sure, the average LOCALS have automatic riffles at home!

nothing about automatic rifles in the article

[Sunderland]

Glad nobody was hurt. Hope the truck will make a full recovery.

[celso]

Is there no other verb that can be used other than 'rock' to describe bomb and shooting attacks? I swear every article uses it.

[ramrod711]

judging by an amatourish performance, a big chance that locals are showing, what they think about bangkok shutdown.

wait till tomorrow for an escalation of violence around polling stations

A very valid point, you may be right. If the red shirts had done it, it wouldn't have been amateurish, they have a lot of experience at shooting, bombing and intimidation. Thanks for pointing that out.

[edwardandtubs]

judging by an amatourish performance, a big chance that locals are showing, what they think about bangkok shutdown.

wait till tomorrow for an escalation of violence around polling stations

Yes for sure, the average LOCALS have automatic riffles at home!

Well, the "bombs" are actually ping pong balls filled with firework powder which any kid could create so I doubt the guns are automatic rifles. If they were we wouldn't constantly be hearing about these "attacks" that lead to no injuries. It is very likely to be p-ed off locals with amateurish weapons.

[Scamper]

As it's becoming very dangerous indeed to peacefully stand up for reform, people who represent a contrary view believe that their point of view isn't enough by itself, so they back it with bombs and terror, thinking that terror and sheer cowardice will make their argument more convincing. The police may as well be in the Bahamas for all they do, and the less space spent on their dubious role the better. The army, however, is stepping up to the plate, as the trust between the protesters and the army becomes more bonded. The nightly attacks are undoubtedly tremendously unnerving to the Thai men and women on the streets, as bullets and bombs are no match for those that have neither. But at the end of the day, what proves to be more durable are the beliefs of the people. They know that their beliefs are stronger than the bombs. And the courage of those beliefs are not camouflaged by the use of fly-by-night sedans with the license plates stripped off.

[metisdead]

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[kurtgruen]

May peace prevail against those cowardly attackers. Just glad that nobody got physically hurt this time. I guess, Thaksin must have seen the swelling numbers of protesters on bluesky TV and ASTV last night and decided to try to scare a few of them off again.

Funny, how the terrorists always get away here, even so, they are expected. I guess the police have their own "special deal"

[theslime]

Toll Way, Limited exits, Presumably CCCTV, Toll Way has been used to attack before at Lad Phrao. Catch Attackers easily.

[Skywalker69]

Let the games begin

People are getting killed and this is nothing but a game to you. I feel sorry for you.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[BeforeTigers]

Can someone please give me a plausible explanation for why these attacks aren't hitting anyone?
I just can't believe that they could consistently miss their assumed targets with bullet after bullet after bullet, night after night.

If you fire a fully-automatic weapon into a crowd and you don't hit anyone, you should definitely consider turning the gun on yourself. You have failed at life.*

*Does it count as a flame if I'm insulting terrorists?

Edited February 1, 2014 by BeforeTigers

[Gweiloman]

I think a lot of these "attacks" are more warnings as opposed to intentionally kill / maim. The attackers are putting a rein on the protestors as to how far they can go.

[Old Man River]

May peace prevail against those cowardly attackers. Just glad that nobody got physically hurt this time. I guess, Thaksin must have seen the swelling numbers of protesters on bluesky TV and ASTV last night and decided to try to scare a few of them off again.

Funny, how the terrorists always get away here, even so, they are expected. I guess the police have their own "special deal"

Maybe this will answer your question:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/10606562/Thai-red-shirts-leader-says-Its-time-to-get-rid-of-the-elite.html

The Police have shown no inclination to help. In addition, where is the Army? Are the elite go to have to bring in their own private armies?

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[kurtgruen]

Can someone please give me a plausible explanation for why these attacks aren't hitting anyone?

I just can't believe that they could consistently miss their assumed targets with bullet after bullet after bullet, night after night.

If you fire a fully-automatic weapon into a crowd and you don't hit anyone, you should definitely consider turning the gun on yourself. You have failed at life.*

*Does it count as a flame if I'm insulting terrorists?

It's to scare the protesters, hoping their numbers will dwindle. They have been pulling sh*t like this, every time the numbers of protesters swell, like they did last night, on several stages. Thaksin knows, that if he lets too many more protesters get murdered by his red mob, there will be a coup, so now he is telling everyone just to scare people, not to kill them. Then again, I think, he will have a hard time keeping his pitbulls on a leash, as things keep going.

[edwardandtubs]

Can someone please give me a plausible explanation for why these attacks aren't hitting anyone?

I just can't believe that they could consistently miss their assumed targets with bullet after bullet after bullet, night after night.

If you fire a fully-automatic weapon into a crowd and you don't hit anyone, you should definitely consider turning the gun on yourself. You have failed at life.*

*Does it count as a flame if I'm insulting terrorists?

It's to scare the protesters, hoping their numbers will dwindle. They have been pulling sh*t like this, every time the numbers of protesters swell, like they did last night, on several stages. Thaksin knows, that if he lets too many more protesters get murdered by his red mob, there will be a coup, so now he is telling everyone just to scare people, not to kill them. Then again, I think, he will have a hard time keeping his pitbulls on a leash, as things keep going.

If it was to scare people why do it in the middle of the night when no one is around except the guards? Come on, ping pong "bombs" are not the work of anyone but total amateurs. And the guns are clearly not automatic rifles, they're probably the type carried by tech school kids.

[Bluespunk]

judging by an amatourish performance, a big chance that locals are showing, what they think about bangkok shutdown.

wait till tomorrow for an escalation of violence around polling stations

Hmm, disgruntled locals. Occams razor says different.

I hope you're wrong on your second point, but I suspect you're not.