Grenade kills two in Bangkok as fears mount over political violence

[Crushdepth]

The court has hog tied the police and made them void all they are allowed to do now is sit back and watch.

In most civilised countries the police are a separate organisation where neither the government or the courts have power over them and control of them.

I thought is was the function of the courts to interpret laws, decide guilt or innocence, and appropriate punishment.

Yes that is their function. The Government makes the laws, Police enforce those laws and prosecutes offenders and the courts judge possible breaches of the laws. All separate identities

There was an interesting article yesterday (no link sorry) with the police indicating they were fed up with their lack of independence / political interference.

Edit: Thai police, not Oz police!

Edited February 24, 2014 by Crushdepth

[kikoman]

Many replies are shoot from the hip, knee jerk reaction to the continuation of the sad news of Thai being attacked daily. No source to buttress their assumptions, just statement to aid their point of view, nothing more.

The Military has been implicated in many situations, the seals arrested in Bangkok, the attempted assassination of a Red Shirt leader, very professional armed men the aided the anti-government side at Phan Fah bridge, M26 hand grenades only used by the military, military leaders stating 6 truckload of Cambodians entered Thailand etc.

It is time to take a long hard look at the military!

Cheers

[Crushdepth]

Many replies are shoot from the hip, knee jerk reaction to the continuation of the sad news of Thai being attacked daily. No source to buttress their assumptions, just statement to aid their point of view, nothing more.

The Military has been implicated in many situations, the seals arrested in Bangkok, the attempted assassination of a Red Shirt leader, very professional armed men the aided the anti-government side at Phan Fah bridge, M26 hand grenades only used by the military, military leaders stating 6 truckload of Cambodians entered Thailand etc.

It is time to take a long hard look at the military!

Cheers

Need to take a look at the whole damn system.

[metisdead]

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[maxme]

And the courts have decide that protesters have the right to do so without politically directed police harassment and suppression. Do you have a problem with that?

yes I do,They are blocking public highways for 6 weeks now,Any court that says such protestors cannot be removed if they wont go voluntarily is not worthy of the name and contributes to the events that happened yesterday at rajaprasong.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Strangely enough, your opinion is not worth much here. But feel free to go down to the court and point out the error of their decision. Take a toothbrush.

"contributes to the events that happened yesterday at rajaprasong." Did it contribute to the murders in Trat also? When did it become acceptable to murder people blocking a road?

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

You are in Samui and don't have to witness the travesty that I and others have to witness on a daily basis, that you and your fellow posters nontheless condone. We are affected, you are not so in conclusion, YOUR opinion is worth less than others. Easy to shoot your mouth off when your not in it.

Edited February 24, 2014 by maxme

[Alwyn]

Don't see anything in the court orders that prevents normal policing.

Someone is just using it as an excuse to do nothing.

It is after all supposed to be the job of the police to protect the public regardless of who they are.

The court ordered that the police are not allowed to use force (this was the very same day the poor policemen had his leg blown off when attempting to kick a grenade away). The police are powerless to do theirjob as they do not have the tools avaliable to them even for self defence. These guys in the police get a ridiculously low wage - the ones that have to do the actual policing I mean - if your son was a policeman on 8k a month would you encourage him to try to stop lunatics with machine guns and grenade launchers with no support rfom the courts, no support from the public? Amazing how when the police were trying to do their job they were accused of intimidation, now people are complaining they're not do their job. Wost of all it will get worse because manaics from both sides know they don't have to worry about police intervention while they carry on their slaughter.

[AlphMichaels]

Seems appropriate at the moment....,

[Tatsujin]

""In Bangkok, we are keeping a close eye on every protest site to provide safety for the people, although the court does not allow us to do anything," he said."

"The anti-government movement seized on Saturday's drive-by attack in Trat as an example of authorities failing to protect rally-goers."

Maybe the police are unable to adequately protect the public from random acts of violence, and it may be unrealistic to expect total security without the full cooperation of the army.

But the Royal Thai Police does seem to have a thoroughly lamentable record in detection and prosecution of the attackers in so many cases. A national and international disgrace.

The court has hog tied the police and made them void all they are allowed to do now is sit back and watch.

In most civilised countries the police are a separate organisation where neither the government or the courts have power over them and control of them.

Basically the courts have santioned anarchy.

The police can do nothing to stop the violence now.

Damn, you guys sure do spin a lot. The Courts ordered that the Police cannot use force to disperse the protestors, simple as that. The Police are NOT being prevented in any way from doing their normal day to day jobs of protecting the safety of the public on whatever side they may be. They have chosen from day 1 NOT to try to protect the anti-Govt side however.

[FireMedic]

All I know is the news channels are showing a lot more police involvement then some of our English news friends are talking about.

[Emster23]

""terrorist acts for political gain" says the PM. Who does she think gains?"

My guess would be the army. And whoever has close association with army. Just an armchair guess. Get enough of this sort of stuff and the public will be crying out for a coup to end this mess. Who wins then?

[Showbags]

Time to stay away from Bangkok...especially Sukhumvit and the Asoke area......I would imagine if/when it escalates...a bomb in a well stocked farang area would gather them some serious worldwide exposure/embarrassment.

Children have no idea of this rubbish and deserve/need a responsible adults protection and guidance at all times.

[edwinchester]

"After the attack, Trat Governor Benjawan Anpruang declared the district a disaster zone.

"We will give Bt2,500 in financial assistance to each injured victim. For the dead victim [a 5-year-old girl], her family will receive Bt25,000 in financial help," Benjawan said."

Typical Thai manner. Pay cheap compensation, case closed. No more investigations needed...

You really should engage your brain or learn a little before making such a sweeping idiotic statement.

The reason a 'disaster zone' was declared is to speed the paying of state money to the victims.

The fact that the provincial governor declared such within a few hours more than likely shows which side he is sypathetic to and has absolutely no bearing on either the police or military investigations.

[sam sen]

Don't see anything in the court orders that prevents normal policing.

Someone is just using it as an excuse to do nothing.

It is after all supposed to be the job of the police to protect the public regardless of who they are.

surely its the basic role of the police to serve and protect the people. if people are going around lobbing grenades and shooting at innocent people surely the police have a role in at least having a prescsnce in areas where such acts may occur? and to professionally investigate and pursue those responsible.

the police are nowhere to be seen, just popping out for a photo opportunity following an attack.

pathetic.

[Just1Voice]

The court has hog tied the police and made them void all they are allowed to do now is sit back and watch.

In most civilised countries the police are a separate organisation where neither the government or the courts have power over them and control of them.

I thought is was the function of the courts to interpret laws, decide guilt or innocence, and appropriate punishment.

Yes that is their function. The Government makes the laws, Police enforce those laws and prosecutes offenders and the courts judge possible breaches of the laws. All separate identities

And the courts have decide that protesters have the right to do so without politically directed police harassment and suppression. Do you have a problem with that?

Yes, when their "peaceful protests" violate the rights of others, and they use violence, threats and intimidation to get what they want.

[MaxLee]

Time to stay away from Bangkok...especially Sukhumvit and the Asoke area......I would imagine if/when it escalates...a bomb in a well stocked farang area would gather them some serious worldwide exposure/embarrassment.

Children have no idea of this rubbish and deserve/need a responsible adults protection and guidance at all times.

And you wonder why a lot of students become a piece of scumbags, when they grow up, generally accepting corruption and face-saving backstabbing and oppression of the lower status kids...

Amazing Thailand it starts with FACE-first-eyes-and-ears--closed

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Three killed in Ratchaprasong explosion
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 24 -- Three persons were killed in an explosion in front of the Big C Supercenter in Ratchadamri, not far from the Ratchaprasong intersection where the anti-government protesters are rallying.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)'s Erawan Medical Centre reported that 24 persons were injured in the bomb attack and three later died at hospital.

The latest casualty was a 6-year-old girl identified as Patcharakorn Yos-ubon. Doctors at Ramathibodi Hospital said she died from injuries to her brain and liver.

Her younger brother Korawich, a 4-year-old boy, was earlier pronounced dead at Ramathibodi Hospital after receiving severe brain injuries.

Another victim was 59-year-old woman named Tipapan Suwanmanee, their aunt, who died at Phyathai 1 Hospital.

There were 11 victims who were treated at various hospitals - Rajavithi, Chulalongkorn, Ramathibodi and Phramongkutklao.

The bombing occurred at about 4pm on Sunday. Police said it was believed that the explosion was a 40mm round shot from an M79 grenade launcher from high- rise building outside the protest area of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Police said the M79 launcher could shoot from 300-400 metres away and this attack was aimed for casualty as the target was the crowded area.

The grenade fell near a 3-wheel tuk tuk- taxi delivering passengers near protest souvenir vendor stalls.

Police were investigating the incident, but surveillance camera footage revealed no clues to investigators. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-02-24

[webfact]

RATCHDAMRI BLAST
Sunday bomb explosion claims third victim Monday

BANGKOK: -- The Sunday bomb attack in front of Big C Ratchdamri claimed the third casuality, a six-year-old girl, whose brother died yesterday from the blast.

Ramadhibodi Hospital announced Monday that Patcharakorn Yod-ubon died at 6.25am from brain bruises.

Her younger brother; Korawit, 4, died at 6.28pm yesterday from serious head wounds and internal bleeding.

Another boy, 9, is still in the intensive care unit of the hospital. He is still unconscious from swollen brain and lung bruises from the impact of the explosion. His condition today is a little better, the hospital.


-- The Nation 2014-02-24

[Pikeybkk]

""In Bangkok, we are keeping a close eye on every protest site to provide safety for the people, although the court does not allow us to do anything," he said."

"The anti-government movement seized on Saturday's drive-by attack in Trat as an example of authorities failing to protect rally-goers."

Maybe the police are unable to adequately protect the public from random acts of violence, and it may be unrealistic to expect total security without the full cooperation of the army.

But the Royal Thai Police does seem to have a thoroughly lamentable record in detection and prosecution of the attackers in so many cases. A national and international disgrace.

The court has hog tied the police and made them void all they are allowed to do now is sit back and watch.

In most civilised countries the police are a separate organisation where neither the government or the courts have power over them and control of them

Well said, its an absolute disgrace that the courts will not allow the police to disperse these radicals,

[RJF]

I wonder who gave the orders for these attacks. Was it just a couple of extremists acting on there own misguided initiative or were orders issued from high command overseas. I think we all know he is capable of it.

Not sure what you are suggesting here, but the truth is that there are very desperate people on both sides that are capable of it. In thinking and posting the way you do, you are basically part of the problem. Trying to pin this on this or that party doesn't do anyone any favors.

[personchester]

""In Bangkok, we are keeping a close eye on every protest site to provide safety for the people, although the court does not allow us to do anything," he said."

"The anti-government movement seized on Saturday's drive-by attack in Trat as an example of authorities failing to protect rally-goers."

Maybe the police are unable to adequately protect the public from random acts of violence, and it may be unrealistic to expect total security without the full cooperation of the army.

But the Royal Thai Police does seem to have a thoroughly lamentable record in detection and prosecution of the attackers in so many cases. A national and international disgrace.

The court has hog tied the police and made them void all they are allowed to do now is sit back and watch.

In most civilised countries the police are a separate organisation where neither the government or the courts have power over them and control of them.

Not correct, in democratic countries police forces are controlled by government and parliament in respect of their activities, and if some of their police actions are not acceptable then they are instructed to change matters, and due to serious results the Chief Constable is sometimes fired by prime minister / president.

The courts have the right to deal with anyone including the police regarding illegal activities.

[outsider]

Where is Chalerm and Tarit and their vows to get to the bottom of things? The way I see it, it's not their daily drivel but their deafening silence in a case like this that is a concern. As in the case at Trat, where a kid was killed while another is brain-dead, according to reports. Reaffirms where these two scums stand and where they look, doesn't it.

[diehard60]

Way to go suthep the body count is going up. It appears that you might just pass the 2010 total. Good luck. I just wonder when will the Thai people wake and see that suthep ONLY cares about suthep and no on else.

[RJF]

So things are getting uglier then. It is escalating as anyone with a brain said it would over 2 months ago. Both sides don't deliver any substance apart from trying to blame each other for the mayhem. Suthep making jokes and threats about sending popcorn shooters and a red shirt gathering where people cheer upon hearing about death and injuries. People on Valentine's day getting attacked for wearing red clothing for the occasion. PDRC supporters with their kids attacked at a noodle stand. It all makes me sick to my stomach. The social media and forums are alive with Thai people (and some farangs) sharing and spreading propaganda and half facts to justify their side of the story whilst people including children are dying on a weekly basis. They don't realize that they are part of the problem, and they are not aware they only contribute to its escalation rather than to a solution.

Someone has to do what should have happened a long time ago; take charge. Either the government cleans up the streets or the army moves in for a coup. Unless the attitudes of people change - and what hope in hell do we have really - this will only go downhill from here.

Edited February 24, 2014 by RJF

[plazot11]

I wonder who gave the orders for these attacks. Was it just a couple of extremists acting on there own misguided initiative or were orders issued from high command overseas. I think we all know he is capable of it.

"High Command Overseas"... you are wrong again ..... please stop writing comments that denigrate the intelligence of the Thai People.

Thai people are not stupid. Thailand has never been invaded by another country and certainly would not follow instructions given from your fantasy "high command overseas"

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Third child dies from weekend of Thai protest violence

by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, February 24, 2014 (AFP) - A six-year-old girl died early Monday from wounds sustained during a grenade attack on a busy Bangkok shopping area, hospital officials said, taking the number of children killed in Thai political violence over the weekend to three.

The attacks, which appear to mark an escalation of unrest in nearly four months of political crisis, earned condemnation from UN chief Ban Ki-moon while Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra labelled them "terrorist acts".

The girl's four-year-old brother also died after the grenade struck on Sunday afternoon as shoppers mingled with anti-government protesters at a rally in one of Bangkok's main commercial areas.

A woman was the third victim of the grenade, which police believe was fired from an M79 shoulder-held launcher into the crowd, near bustling street stalls, several hotels and one of the capital's biggest shopping malls.

"A six-year-old girl has died, she underwent surgery but died today (Monday)," the Ramathibodi Hospital said in a statement, adding that the boy was four rather than 12 as previously reported.

"They were siblings," a hospital official told AFP.

A five-year-old girl was gunned down in a drive-by shooting at an anti-government rally in eastern Trat province late Saturday.

Thailand has seen months of anti-government rallies aimed at ousting Yingluck's administration and curbing the influence of her brother Thaksin, a former premier who lives in exile to avoid a jail term for corruption.

The protests have been met with sporadic gun and grenade attacks -- mainly in Bangkok -- by unknown attackers, but fears of wider unrest are mounting after the death toll nearly doubled last week.

- UN chief worried -

Twenty people have now died and more than 700 people have been wounded in violence linked to demonstrations.

It is the worst unrest since the Thaksin-allied "Red Shirt" protests against a Democrat-led government in 2010 sparked clashes and a bloody military crackdown that left more than 90 people dead.

In a posting on her official Facebook page late Sunday, Yingluck denounced the weekend's attacks as "terrorist acts for political gain", stating the children's deaths "were particularly saddening and disturbing".

A spokesman for the UN secretary general said Ban condemned the escalation of violence in Thailand over the past week, in particular armed attacks against protesters and children, and called for an end to violence "from any quarter".

Last Tuesday a daylight gunbattle in Bangkok's historic heart, close to the main tourist district, left five people dead -- including a policeman -- as security forces tried to clear a protest site.

Both sides of the political divide blame each other for the violence.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who as deputy premier at the time oversaw the 2010 crackdown on the Red Shirts, said the government carried responsibility for the weekend violence.

They were "the actions of followers of Thaksin's regime", Suthep told a rally late Sunday, urging protesters to hold new rallies Monday at Shinawatra-linked businesses in Bangkok.

The kingdom has been bitterly split since a military coup ousted Thaksin as prime minister in 2006.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-02-24

[uty6543]

I wonder who gave the orders for these attacks. Was it just a couple of extremists acting on there own misguided initiative or were orders issued from high command overseas. I think we all know he is capable of it.

There is no actual proof to this attack but there exists circumstantial motivation for the attack.

Are the farmers still in Bangkok? I heard that many of them went back home.

Why do we see more explosions now? I bet people are scared to go out to the protesting sites.

If they do more attacks on a daily basis, eventually not too many people would want to be there. This is exactly what the government would like to accomplish so that they can arrest Suthep and other leaders to end the crisis.

But even if the protests stopped today and Suthep was arrested the government still has an (IMO) impossible chance of getting back into power. Here is a short list of some of the government problems

1. There is the NACC over the rice pledging scheme.

2. There is the election to try and finish.

3. The CC over whether the election was legal or not.

4. The CC over attempted change to the make up of the senate.

5. The farmers to deal with if they are not paid.

And there are many other problems.

Any 1 of these problems could end Thaksins sorry Yinglucks chance of getting back into power but all 5. If I was a gambling man I would say its an odds certainty that the crisis will not end in the governments favour.

[Centrum]

So things are getting uglier then. It is escalating as anyone with a brain said it would over 2 months ago. Both sides don't deliver any substance apart from trying to blame each other for the mayhem. Suthep making jokes and threats about sending popcorn shooters and a red shirt gathering where people cheer upon hearing about death and injuries. People on Valentine's day getting attacked for wearing red clothing for the occasion. PDRC supporters with their kids attacked at a noodle stand. It all makes me sick to my stomach. The social media and forums are alive with Thai people (and some farangs) sharing and spreading propaganda and half facts to justify their side of the story whilst people including children are dying on a weekly basis. They don't realize that they are part of the problem, and they are not aware they only contribute to its escalation rather than to a solution.

Someone has to do what should have happened a long time ago; take charge. Either the government cleans up the streets or the army moves in for a coup. Unless the attitudes of people change - and what hope in hell do we have really - this will only go downhill from here.

If the govt cleans up the streets, do you think the protesters are simply going to go home and accept another Thaksin-clone regime?

And if there is another coup, do you think the red-shirts will quielty go away, also? While it worked in 2006, it won't work again.

There is no short-term solution.

The people's attitudes will certainly change, but it won't be uniform and in the same direction. And it may take a long time.

The only solution that will work now is a compromise from both sides in forming some form of interim govt. that has a task of reform that works for both sides.

I'm not holding my breath. Things will almost certainly go downhill from here.

[LotusBoy]

Way to go suthep the body count is going up. It appears that you might just pass the 2010 total. Good luck. I just wonder when will the Thai people wake and see that suthep ONLY cares about suthep and no on else.

Ehhhh??? So YOU are holding Suthep responsible for all these deaths??? Also you say Suthep ONLY cares about himself, so what about Yinluck??? Go and ask a Thai person right now, in fact I done it for you, my office is full of Thai's, and you want to know what they said..............

Can't write anymore about your post, as I will get banned from the moderators.......

CHILDREN have died, wake up!!!

Edited February 24, 2014 by LotusBoy

[Tanlic]

I wonder who gave the orders for these attacks. Was it just a couple of extremists acting on there own misguided initiative or were orders issued from high command overseas. I think we all know he is capable of it.

There is no actual proof to this attack but there exists circumstantial motivation for the attack.

Are the farmers still in Bangkok? I heard that many of them went back home.

Why do we see more explosions now? I bet people are scared to go out to the protesting sites.

If they do more attacks on a daily basis, eventually not too many people would want to be there. This is exactly what the government would like to accomplish so that they can arrest Suthep and other leaders to end the crisis.

But even if the protests stopped today and Suthep was arrested the government still has an (IMO) impossible chance of getting back into power. Here is a short list of some of the government problems

1. There is the NACC over the rice pledging scheme.

2. There is the election to try and finish.

3. The CC over whether the election was legal or not.

4. The CC over attempted change to the make up of the senate.

5. The farmers to deal with if they are not paid.

And there are many other problems.

Any 1 of these problems could end Thaksins sorry Yinglucks chance of getting back into power but all 5. If I was a gambling man I would say its an odds certainty that the crisis will not end in the governments favour.

If a certain person offered the country folks a 1000 instead of 500 they wouldn't give a hoot about any of that and surely she would get back in?........isn't this more about getting rid of the regime than winning an election?

[Tom Smith]

Poor little girl joins her brother. RIP both of you. May this madness end soon.