Bombs Rock The South Again

[Jai Dee]

31 bombs hit troubled south, one dead

ONE person died and 22 others were wounded in a wave of at least 31 bomb attacks by Islamic militants on police and government offices in Thailand's insurgency-hit south.

The string of blasts within about 30 minutes of each other rocked the mainly Muslim provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat near the Malaysian border, with five military and one police officer among the injured, police said today.

"Militants are likely to have coordinated the attacks and planned them in advance because the bombs went off between 07.45am and 8.15am," said Colonel Sommai Phutthakun, deputy police commander in Narathiwat.

"They wanted to show their power," he said.

The attacks, using mostly remote-controlled explosives, followed a week of relative calm when predominantly Buddhist Thailand celebrated King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60-year reign.

In Pattani, nine blasts killed one official at a tea shop near a Khko Pho district police post and wounded 15 more people, two seriously, police said.

In Narathiwat, 16 bomb attacks hit the Muang, Ruso, Ra Ngae and Takbai districts, wounding five marine troops.

In Yala, six attacks wounded at least two people.

The first blast hit a Yala provincial police office at 8.00am, wounding one traffic police officer, and another hit the provincial hall.

A third bomb went off at a tea shop near Yaha district police station in Yala, wounding the owner of the shop, and a fourth device exploded at a police station in Bannang Sata district.

A fifth blast in Yala hit a border patrol pick-up truck outside a police officer's apartment in Muang Yala district, destroying the unoccupied car.

On Tuesday two Buddhists, a female local government official and a shop owner, were killed in separate shootings in Pattani, police said.

More than 1300 people have been killed since an insurgency broke out in January 2004 in the mainly Islamic and ethnic Malay south, a region also troubled by organised crime and police corruption.

From: Agence France-Presse - June 15, 2006

[Jai Dee]

A number of explosions in Narathiwat this morning

Bombs exploded in many government offices in Narathiwat Province this morning, causing five army officers to be wounded.

The explosions took place in many government offices and certain public places such as the Ra-ngae District Office, Tanyongmas School, Janae District Police Station, the Joh Airong District Office, Joh Airong District Hospital, and other areas in Tak Bai District. Officers meanwhile have located suspicious areas in Yi-ngor and Muang Districts of Narathiwat, and teams of bomb rescuers have already been dispatched to those sites.

Recently, five army officers have been injured from the explosion at the Municipality of Narathiwat Province. They are now hospitalized in Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Hospital.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

Bombs rocks three border provinces

Suspected insurgents rocked restive southern provinces on Thursday with nearly two dozen bombs in separate attacks which kiled at least an official and injured many others.

At least 16 people were injured in the explosions that went off between 8.30 am and 9 am in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.

One of the bombs went off at a government office in Yala minutes before Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit was due for a visit in the area

In Pattani, a local official in Pattani was killed by a bomb that went off at a tea shop known to draw a morning crowd of government employees, police said. Eight other people were injured.

Many of the bombs were planted inside bathrooms of provincial town offices and police stations, injuring three police officers in Yala and five marines in neighboring Narathiwat.

"Militants are likely to have coordinated the attacks and planned them in advance because the bombs went off between the set time," said Narathiwat's Pol Col Sommai Phutthakun.

"The militants wanted to show their power," he said.

Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana said initial reports showed that 21 homemade bombs were detonated.

He claimed intelligence had indicated that insurgents were planning a major operation for Thursday, and that damage from the blasts had been minimal.

Securities authorities jammed cellular telephone signals in the area to prevent insurgents from using mobile phones to detonate more bombs.

Source: The Nation - Breaking News - 15 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

Pol.Gen. Chitchai: the explosions in the Deep South were created by insurgents who wanted to show their potentials

The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister, Pol. Gen. Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์), indicated that the explosions in the Deep South were created by the insurgents who wanted to show their power.

He said that the group of insurgents would like everyone to see the importance of the day of establishing Pattani State, which falls today. However, he does not blame the officials as he considers that they have already performed their best.

The Deputy Prime Minister chaired a meeting with relevant units and revealed that the meeting was held to follow up on the officials’ performances. The meeting also discussed the new solutions to end the violence in the Deep South.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 June 2006

[george]

PM blames police for failing to prevent bomb attacks

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today blamed police for failing to prevent a wave of bomb attacks in the deep South Thursday despite having some tips that separatist militants would strike.

Nearly two dozen bomb blasts hit police and government offices in the three southern border provinces - Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat within half an hour of each other.

Two people were killed, and over 20 security personnel and civilians were injured, police said.

Interior Minister Kongsak Vantana, meanwhile, said the militants made the bombs outside Thailand, without specifying which country, adding that "it is more difficult to find bomb-making materials here."

"The militants wanted to stage a show of force and signal that they can still mount attacks," he said on national television.

--The Nation 2006-06-15

[ovenman]

Anybody think this might be a setback for the tourism that was once-again lively along the Thailand-Malaysia border?

[Jai Yen Yen]

PM blames police for failing to prevent bomb attacks

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today blamed police for failing to prevent a wave of bomb attacks in the deep South

Excellent leadership, Shinawatra - blame it all on someone else. Keep it up, we may get rid of you yet.

[Jai Dee]

Gen. Ruenroj says insurgents responsible for southern bombings have no considerations

The Royal Thai Armed Forces Supreme Commander, Gen. Ruengroj Mahasaranond (เรืองโรจน์ มหาศรานนท์), stated that the insurgents who set off the bombs in the Deep South are people with no thoughts and religions.

He has advised the officials to tighten up the security in the region.

Gen. Ruengroj views that the insurgents are not considerate as this is the period of celebrating His Majesty the King’s 60th Anniversary of his Accession to the Throne.

He believes the chains of explosion today were ignited by one group of insurgents.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 June 2006

[ilyushin]

I told them to buy my GSM Cell Position System. Edited June 15, 2006 by ilyushin

[penzman]

PM blames police for failing to prevent bomb attacks

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today blamed police for failing to prevent a wave of bomb attacks in the deep South

Excellent leadership, Shinawatra - blame it all on someone else. Keep it up, we may get rid of you yet.

These guys must be scratching their heads after Dr. Police Col. Lt. Gen. Thaksin comes up with these immediate conclusions.

Could this be some sort of a warning message regarding the courts decision expected tomorrow?

[danone]

my very very very wild guess is it wouldnt have happend without the authoritarian PM back in his seat firing his guns.

[Maejo Man]

PM blames police for failing to prevent bomb attacks

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today blamed police for failing to prevent a wave of bomb attacks in the deep South

Excellent leadership, Shinawatra - blame it all on someone else. Keep it up, we may get rid of you yet.

Much the same as when he blamed the soldiers for the arsenal raid, and stated that it was their own fault that they got shot! He actually later apologised to the families of the deceased.

He's pretty quick to fire off sharp comments of blame, and it would apear that his mouth works independantly to the rest of his body!

[Jai Dee]

ACM Kongsak: the possible explosions have been warned in advance

The Interior Minister, Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wanthana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา), disclosed that officials had warned in advance about the southern bombing incidents.

ACM Kongsak presided over the conference of the Municipal Officer Association of Thailand at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani. Speaking before chairing the meeting, he said that the intelligence unit of his ministry had already warned about the explosions in the Deep South. He stated that the responsible insurgents would like to create violence so they can show their potentials on the day of establishing Pattani State. He further said that the officials already know the insurgents who detonated the bombs in the South this morning.

Besides, he said that the explosions did not cause a severe damage. The officials are rapidly finding more details on the matter. However, he has reminded the provincial governors in the Deep South to instruct their officials to put more efforts to ensure the security in their areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 June 2006

[Arkady]

A sign that the Diamond Jubilee truce is over. Politicians in Bangkok will start fighting again soon.

[deminister]

Maybe Yai Yen can explain what Shinawatra's leadership has to do, with an area under control of the Democrat party? Great influence Abhisit in that case? or is that also utmost simplicity? Blame it on the police? Maybe too simple too, but the police had received intelligence reports that this would happen. if bombs explode in your own police stations, than Shinawtra might be in the right. Think before you shout YAI RON

[Rinrada]

Maybe time to consider handing Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat back to Malayasia....................

WOT ...cant do that.........

Eh and Why Not........

because......just cant......

OK what do YOU suggest......

(I am being retorical...... )

[anuaaron]

Maybe Yai Yen can explain what Shinawatra's leadership has to do, with an area under control of the Democrat party? Great influence Abhisit in that case? or is that also utmost simplicity? Blame it on the police? Maybe too simple too, but the police had received intelligence reports that this would happen. if bombs explode in your own police stations, than Shinawtra might be in the right. Think before you shout YAI RON

I think the point is that the PM has never calmed the situation down and the rgetoric he has chosen has often made the situation worse than need be. Being in the second highest office of the country if he fails to show tolerance for peace it is a bit hard to blame anyone else. You mention areas of control I would have thought the PM has the biggest area...the whole country. His efforts at restoring peace have been laughable. So the "shouter" would appear logically correct.

[taxexile]

the government , any government , cannot control areas infested with insurgent terrorists , witness iraq , ireland , sri lanka ,israel , spain ,chechnya etc.etc.etc.

you either have to have meaningful dialogue with them and sort it out at the negotiating table or kill them all.

its an insoluble problem.

thaksins statements are political rhetoric , nothing more. he is obliged to say something , but he is no orator and cant come up with anything better.

[grapetable]

The answer is simple; invade Malaysia!

[womble]

the government , any government , cannot control areas infested with insurgent terrorists , witness iraq , ireland , sri lanka ,israel , spain ,chechnya etc.etc.etc.

you either have to have meaningful dialogue with them and sort it out at the negotiating table or kill them all.

its an insoluble problem.

thaksins statements are political rhetoric , nothing more. he is obliged to say something , but he is no orator and cant come up with anything better.

I dissagree here, Thaksin has proved himself to be fine public speaker, just look at him at work at those public rallies, he definatley knows how to fool the gulible masses. I rarely agree with what he says, and yes it is political rhetoric, but this does not make him a bad public speaker.

[Gonzo the Face]

31 bombs hit troubled south, one dead

The attacks, using mostly remote-controlled explosives, followed a week of relative calm when predominantly Buddhist Thailand celebrated King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60-year reign.

From: Agence France-Presse - June 15, 2006

Do we in Thailand not have as high a quality, as highly committed to the cause, radical extremest Muslim terrorist, as they have in the Palestine/Israeli conflict. Why else then, are our terrorists using remote controled bombs rather than the strap it to your a*s type that they use in other areas.

Come on guys get with it and believe in the cause or get out of Dodge. You are making the rest of us ashamed of your wimpy actions.

Bombs rocks three border provinces

Securities authorities jammed cellular telephone signals in the area to prevent insurgents from using mobile phones to detonate more bombs.

Source: The Nation - Breaking News - 15 June 2006

Has anyone noticed the difficulty in getting your hand phone to work properly in the past few months. Have we been led to believe that it has been because they have been selling so many memberships, and now we hear that the real reason is the government jamming the networks.

Hmmmm sell more memberships at a low cost and then jam the airways.

[h90]

The answer is simple; invade Malaysia!

And Malaysia has also oil, not that oil would be a reason to invade a country, or?

[Galong]

Things could be worse... Thaksin could ask George W for advice.... doh!

The apparent only solution would be to sit down and see exactly what they want. Naw, that would likely be seen as weakness and a loss of face. Heaven forbid Thaksin put the safety of OTHER people ahead of his pride...

[george]

Update:

Songkhla responds to southern bombings

SONGKHLA: -- Police are stepping up security measures throughout the business district of Hat Yai, the Southern region's key commercial centre, following Thursday's bombings in southernmost provinces.

Until now, Songkhla has been considered to be outside the insurgency-affected area.

Police launched more frequent patrols at Hat Yai railway station, asking passengers to watch out for hidden explosives or suspicious-looking objects or persons and to immediately alert the authorities if they find one.

Security measures are also intensified at and around Hat Yai bus terminal, hotels, trading centres and community areas.

Additionally, Songkhla police have gone on alert in other districts, Chana, Thepha, Saba Yoi and Nathawi, which border on the southernmost provinces.

--TNA 2006-06-15

[h90]

the government , any government , cannot control areas infested with insurgent terrorists , witness iraq , ireland , sri lanka ,israel , spain ,chechnya etc.etc.etc.

you either have to have meaningful dialogue with them and sort it out at the negotiating table or kill them all.

its an insoluble problem.

thaksins statements are political rhetoric , nothing more. he is obliged to say something , but he is no orator and cant come up with anything better.

your examples are good! In Iraq, Ireland, Israel and chechnya, the terrorists were caused by an absolut wrong politik.

The terrorists are not the problem, they are the symptoms of a deeper problem, which must be solved.

The happy, hard working well feeling normal guy, does not get the idea on blowing something just for fun.

They must be first very despair of life and of course some religious leaders are not helpfull as well. But only people who see no future for themself get terrorists.

What I heared (but I am not sure if it is right) was that before they were a lot more autonom and could decide a lot themself and thaksin stopped that.

Making peace also costs a lot, you must spend a lot money to develope the areas and wait 20 years (or if you make the Hitler/Bush style with kill them all, that gets also expensive).

Taking the gun to make peace does normaly not work (until you kill everyone)

[astral]

Maybe time to consider handing Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat back to Malayasia....................

My thought too.

Malaysia is Mulsim, they should be happy there?

If they think the Thai's are draconian,

they would really find out what the word means if the Malaysians took control.

Edited June 15, 2006 by astral

[lungbing]

Thai pride would never go allow it. It was only the threat of a complete invasion and a gunboat near Bangkok 100 years ago that made Siam cede large parts of its territory to France. Basically most of what is now Laos and a chunk of Cambodia.

The other problem with the solution of handing over the southernmost provinces to Malaysia (if they'd have them of course ) is that the muslims would immediately discover people living in the next provinces up that were muslims and being oppressed and would start the violence all over again.

Why can't muslims live in peace with anybody, even their own kind? There's barely a country in the world that doesn't have a major or minor problem with muslim violence.

[astral]

Why can't muslims live in peace with anybody, even their own kind? There's barely a country in the world that doesn't have a major or minor problem with muslim violence.

The name of their religion means PEACE.

Why can't they live that way??

Edited June 15, 2006 by astral

[dezeure]

PM blames police for failing to prevent bomb attacks

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today blamed police for failing to prevent a wave of bomb attacks in the deep South

Excellent leadership, Shinawatra - blame it all on someone else. Keep it up, we may get rid of you yet.

I thought I read that he resigned already or had to quit... weird...

SD

[BlackJack]

it was Thaible