Thai Hostages Still Missing a Year After Hamas Attack

[webfact]

Junta and Redshirts Deny Links to BKK Double Bombings
By Khaosod English


Police inspect the site of two bomb blasts near a luxury shopping mall entrance in Bangkok, Thailand, 02 February 2015.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s rival political factions are denying responsibility for the double bombings that targeted a high-end shopping mall in Bangkok on 1 February, as police work to track down suspects and establish a motive behind the attack.

The homemade explosives went off at around 8.10 pm on the walkway that connects Siam Paragon, one of the largest shopping malls in Thailand, and Siam skytrain station, the largest and busiest BTS station in the city. One person was reported injured by the blast.

In the past 48 hours, social media has been seething with speculation about who was responsible for planting the IEDs. Many pro-coup supporters have blamed the Redshirt movement, which supported the government toppled in the coup, while numerous Redshirts have accused the junta of staging the attack to justify the prolonged use of martial law.

Worachai Hema, former Pheu Thai MP and core Redshirt leader, told the press yesterday that the Redshirts were not behind the bombings, because they "only want peace and a quick return to election."

However, he said he is convinced that the twin bombings were politically-motivated.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1422946516


-- Khaosod English 2015-02-03

[Costas2008]

I'm appalled listening to various articles suggesting that the government planted the bombs.

They have no need of doing that.

They are in power, they can prolong martial law as long as they feel fit.

This is the doings of the red activists trying to unstabilize the government.

But we know about them and the scum they are.

They have be littering Thailand for many years now.

[ggold]

I'm appalled listening to various articles suggesting that the government planted the bombs.

They have no need of doing that.

They are in power, they can prolong martial law as long as they feel fit.

This is the doings of the red activists trying to unstabilize the government.

But we know about them and the scum they are.

They have be littering Thailand for many years now.

Didn't they? As you say they can prolong martial law for as long as they want! Now they have the excuse Showed the Americans didn't it

I bet no one gets caught!

[NeverSure]

Whoever did it was either an amateur, or intended the bombs to be weak and create havoc rather than mass murder. It doesn't mean it wasn't a supporter of any shirt color, but it doesn't mean it was. those two bombs were wimpy and either the maker intended only to send a message without much damage, or there was little knowledge behind the making of the bombs.

There are three good ways to make small and powerful bombs and obviously I'm not going to list them. Someone had the ability to detonate the bombs electrically using a watch, so they knew something, but that info is easy to find.

So the questions remain.

[Cuchulainn]

Better to let the junta run the country for a decade than the corrupt political clowns we have here for another ten minutes.

[Snig27]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I'm appalled listening to various articles suggesting that the government planted the bombs.

They have no need of doing that.

They are in power, they can prolong martial law as long as they feel fit.

This is the doings of the red activists trying to unstabilize the government.

But we know about them and the scum they are.

They have be littering Thailand for many years now.

Lets face it Costas, if you came home and found a leading member of the junta doing something heinous in your house and it was also caught on CCTV you'd still find a way to blame the reds. You said in another thread that you have a small brain - perhaps it's better not to make its workings too obvious?

[Costas2008]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I'm appalled listening to various articles suggesting that the government planted the bombs.

They have no need of doing that.

They are in power, they can prolong martial law as long as they feel fit.

This is the doings of the red activists trying to unstabilize the government.

But we know about them and the scum they are.

They have be littering Thailand for many years now.

Lets face it Costas, if you came home and found a leading member of the junta doing something heinous in your house and it was also caught on CCTV you'd still find a way to blame the reds. You said in another thread that you have a small brain - perhaps it's better not to make its workings too obvious?

Size is not important........it's how you use it

[halloween]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Better to let the junta run the country for a decade than the corrupt political clowns we have here for another ten minutes.

Just where did the dear leader find his millions? And his brother too?

Only millions? and those who steal billions get a free pass?

[NongKhaiKid]

When will someone suggest ex-PM Chavalit's favourite explanations of ' unseen hands ' or ' dark forces ' ?

Edited February 3, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[Mr Yim]

The timing of the incident is all too convenient. Surely the Junta would not be so stupid to undertake a false flag operation . . . . .

[Rumblecat]

I'm appalled listening to various articles suggesting that the government planted the bombs.

They have no need of doing that.

They are in power, they can prolong martial law as long as they feel fit.

This is the doings of the red activists trying to unstabilize the government.

But we know about them and the scum they are.

They have be littering Thailand for many years now.

But how did these bombs succeed in unstabilising the government from a redshirt point of view..?

I'm not saying I'm buying into conspiracy theories that it was the junta behind this, but at least with that you can see some logical pattern- a small explosive placed in a major venue specifically designed not to harm anyone but attract maximum media exposure leading to a hoped increase support of government crackdowns on redshirts for safety...

But from the redshirt view..? What would they gain from these explosions except to increase the heat on themselves..? Like I'm saying, I'm not discounting it- but it seems like a strange step to take.

[Johnnie99]

This is good news indeed, and certainly worth reporting.

The fact that neither the government nor the opposition (such as it is) claim responsibility certainly caught my attention.

Now. Is it possible for a report that tells us some real information, such as who actually is or might be responsible?

[metisdead]

Inflammatory posts have been removed.

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

[Robby nz]

I would be interested if anyone could point me to anything that the reds have ever accepted responsibility for.

Except Nuttawat of course, he said publicly that he would take responsibility for all the burning in the 2010 riots.

Bout time he was brought to answer for that one.

[smedly]

Whoever did it was either an amateur, or intended the bombs to be weak and create havoc rather than mass murder. It doesn't mean it wasn't a supporter of any shirt color, but it doesn't mean it was. those two bombs were wimpy and either the maker intended only to send a message without much damage, or there was little knowledge behind the making of the bombs.

There are three good ways to make small and powerful bombs and obviously I'm not going to list them. Someone had the ability to detonate the bombs electrically using a watch, so they knew something, but that info is easy to find.

So the questions remain.

the expert speaks about bomb building like he knows something about it, but then again one can never be sure - right ?

[aircut]

Better to let the junta run the country for a decade than the corrupt political clowns we have here for another ten minutes.

Than you should enforce on your fellow countryman an attitude adjustment program and reform the political circus happening in your country in the same manner!

[ggold]

Whoever did it was either an amateur, or intended the bombs to be weak and create havoc rather than mass murder. It doesn't mean it wasn't a supporter of any shirt color, but it doesn't mean it was. those two bombs were wimpy and either the maker intended only to send a message without much damage, or there was little knowledge behind the making of the bombs.

There are three good ways to make small and powerful bombs and obviously I'm not going to list them. Someone had the ability to detonate the bombs electrically using a watch, so they knew something, but that info is easy to find.

So the questions remain.

If you wanted to make a point you wouldn't use a powerful device. Just enough to make a bang without injury to the public. If it were really a group trying to make a political statement then it would have been powerful enough to cause serious damage. The army would be brought out just in case! Not just beefing up security in one locale.

This was done to justify the situation to the outside world. No more no less. Otherwise I guess they would be rounding up the usual suspects!

[pedro01]

Whoever did it was either an amateur, or intended the bombs to be weak and create havoc rather than mass murder. It doesn't mean it wasn't a supporter of any shirt color, but it doesn't mean it was. those two bombs were wimpy and either the maker intended only to send a message without much damage, or there was little knowledge behind the making of the bombs.

There are three good ways to make small and powerful bombs and obviously I'm not going to list them. Someone had the ability to detonate the bombs electrically using a watch, so they knew something, but that info is easy to find.

So the questions remain.

If you wanted to make a point you wouldn't use a powerful device. Just enough to make a bang without injury to the public. If it were really a group trying to make a political statement then it would have been powerful enough to cause serious damage. The army would be brought out just in case! Not just beefing up security in one locale.

This was done to justify the situation to the outside world. No more no less. Otherwise I guess they would be rounding up the usual suspects!

The flip side of that argument is that anyone trying to make it look as you say would plant a small device.

So the size of the device can be used to argue that it was either side.

[White Christmas13]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I'm appalled listening to various articles suggesting that the government planted the bombs.

They have no need of doing that.

They are in power, they can prolong martial law as long as they feel fit.

This is the doings of the red activists trying to unstabilize the government.

But we know about them and the scum they are.

They have be littering Thailand for many years now.

Lets face it Costas, if you came home and found a leading member of the junta doing something heinous in your house and it was also caught on CCTV you'd still find a way to blame the reds. You said in another thread that you have a small brain - perhaps it's better not to make its workings too obvious?

Size is not important........it's how you use it

Yes you are right

[seajae]

its a wonder chalerm hasnt come out with a "letter" and telling us all he knows who did it. Its just as likely reds trying to make it look like the general and friends to provide them with an excuse to extend martial law so worachai and friends can come out with the crap they have already to stir up the reds/ thais even more. Until we know for sure all this petty he said she said crap both sides are using means nothing.

[DoctorB]

I'm appalled listening to various articles suggesting that the government planted the bombs.

They have no need of doing that.

They are in power, they can prolong martial law as long as they feel fit.

This is the doings of the red activists trying to unstabilize the government.

But we know about them and the scum they are.

They have be littering Thailand for many years now.

"This is the doings of the red activists"

Is it really? How do you know? Please tell us. You clearly have information that the authorities need to know.

"... the scum they are. They have be littering Thailand for many years now".

Well yes they would be; unlike you they were born and bred here. I don't know about the "scum" bit. I've seen that repulsive term used to describe anyone that TV poster don't like, from tourists in Pattaya to people who go on visa runs. But you really should be aware that to a Thai it's foreigners who try to go native that are the "litter" on the landscape; particularly those who rejoice to see the ordinary, decent people deprived of any say in how the country should be run.

[wabothai]

Interpretation of the truth.

[webfact]

Junta chief slams rumours govt behind Thai bomb blasts

AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's junta chief Tuesday said any suggestion his regime was behind twin bomb blasts outside a Bangkok shopping mall was "brain damaged" as the military scrambles to reassure tourists that the troubled kingdom is still safe.

Two small homemade pipe bombs detonated outside the Siam Paragon mall on Sunday evening slightly wounding two people.

The blasts were the first major disruption to an uneasy peace imposed after the military declared martial law and took over in a coup last May.

The military have been rattled by remarks on social media speculating that the explosions -- which came ten days after the retroactive impeachment of ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra -- help justify the continued imposition of martial law.

"Some have countered that this was work of the government in order to maintain martial law. They are brains damaged," Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who has appeared increasingly gruff in recent days, told reporters.

But he added: "If this was the work of rogue policemen or soldiers they must be punished."

Authorities say they are looking for two men seen on CCTV shortly before the bombs detonated.

The explosions come at a time of heightened political tension in the deeply divided nation following the impeachment of Yingluck by the country's junta-appointed rubber stamp parliament -- an event that left many of her family's "Red Shirt" supporters quietly seething.

Under marital law, political gatherings of more than five people are banned and so far Yingluck's supporters have stayed off the streets.

But the military have nonetheless ramped up their monitoring of critics, calling in a string of prominent opposition figures for "attitude adjustment" talks and threatening dissenters with financial ruin if they speak out publicly.

The generals, who seized power promising to end a turbulent decade pockmarked by periods of intense political violence and coups, also fear that renewed clashes could put off tourists during the crucial peak season.

The tourism industry accounts for around 10 percent of an economy that Thailand's military rulers have struggled to revive since seizing power with exports and consumer spending still weak.

Government figures released Tuesday showed Thailand welcomed 2.65 million tourists in January -- traditionally one of its busiest months.

The latest figures are a 15.9 percent increase on the same month the previous year when protests against Yingluck Shinawatra's were at their height.

Thailand's long-running political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and royalist elite, backed by parts of the military and judiciary, against rural and working-class voters -- many of whom are part of the Red Shirt movement -- loyal to ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Parties affiliated with or led by the Shinawatra family have won every election since 2001, in the process facing two coups and the disposal of three premiers by Thailand's interventionist courts.

Small bomb blasts are not uncommon during times of heightened tension with all factions accusing each other of resorting to violence.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-02-03

[halloween]

Seems the whole operation was rather stupid. Now we can argue which side is the more stupid.

[halloween]

"This is the doings of the red activists"

Is it really? How do you know? Please tell us. You clearly have information that the authorities need to know.

"... the scum they are. They have be littering Thailand for many years now".

Well yes they would be; unlike you they were born and bred here. I don't know about the "scum" bit. I've seen that repulsive term used to describe anyone that TV poster don't like, from tourists in Pattaya to people who go on visa runs. But you really should be aware that to a Thai it's foreigners who try to go native that are the "litter" on the landscape; particularly those who rejoice to see the ordinary, decent people deprived of any say in how the country should be run.

The term you are looking for is 'farang kee nok' but your application to those who take a certain political viewpoint is pure BS.

[realenglish1]

If I had to guess who is responsible then probably despots from the south. They want chaos and strife. The Reds the Yellows and all colors in between want an election and piece so probably did not do it

[ggold]

Whoever did it was either an amateur, or intended the bombs to be weak and create havoc rather than mass murder. It doesn't mean it wasn't a supporter of any shirt color, but it doesn't mean it was. those two bombs were wimpy and either the maker intended only to send a message without much damage, or there was little knowledge behind the making of the bombs.

There are three good ways to make small and powerful bombs and obviously I'm not going to list them. Someone had the ability to detonate the bombs electrically using a watch, so they knew something, but that info is easy to find.

So the questions remain.

If you wanted to make a point you wouldn't use a powerful device. Just enough to make a bang without injury to the public. If it were really a group trying to make a political statement then it would have been powerful enough to cause serious damage. The army would be brought out just in case! Not just beefing up security in one locale.

This was done to justify the situation to the outside world. No more no less. Otherwise I guess they would be rounding up the usual suspects!

The flip side of that argument is that anyone trying to make it look as you say would plant a small device.

So the size of the device can be used to argue that it was either side.

There is no flip side! Who and why would any other party decide out of thin air that now was the time to create decent toward the government? and their method would be a ineffectual device?

who was it that was getting flack over the current situation? Which country was supposedly giving out that flack? Interesting that no one is blaming that countries interference as the catalyst for this explosion! Which if we are supposed to believe the story, the government would be justified in accusing them of being the catalyst!

There is only one person who benefits from this! It's not what is being said that makes people thing this was self instigated, It is what is not being said and maybe should be said if we are supposed to believe the story!

[iReason]

"If this was the work of rogue policemen or soldiers they must be punished."

Will never happen.

But it's on the table then?

"...calling in a string of prominent opposition figures for "attitude adjustment"

"threatening dissenters with financial ruin if they speak out publicly."

Who's brain is damaged?

[bangrak]

The unisono reactions of the red comrades are the fun bit in this story: ah, the 'junta', etc., deny they are behind the explosions, so they must be the ones guilty!

But, but, then, red comrades, is the permanent denial of any wrongdoing whatsoever the reds/PTP/UDD are famous for, also meaning they were guilty, of all of it?

And now that the red shirts' organisation is also denying any resposibility in the explosions, sticking to your 'logic', does it mean they are the guilty ones, or what?

I'd say, let's call it a draw: a pair of red shirts went hand in hand with a pair of soldiers to each place and detonate a bomb, together, that'd be reconciliation! LOL

So far for your loony complot theories, guys!

Who knows, maybe it will come out sooner or later it had nothing to do with politics, and was 'just' a 'business conflict' or racketting attempt...

[bangrak]

I'm appalled listening to various articles suggesting that the government planted the bombs.

They have no need of doing that.

They are in power, they can prolong martial law as long as they feel fit.

This is the doings of the red activists trying to unstabilize the government.

But we know about them and the scum they are.

They have be littering Thailand for many years now.

"This is the doings of the red activists"

Is it really? How do you know? Please tell us. You clearly have information that the authorities need to know.

"... the scum they are. They have be littering Thailand for many years now".

Well yes they would be; unlike you they were born and bred here. I don't know about the "scum" bit. I've seen that repulsive term used to describe anyone that TV poster don't like, from tourists in Pattaya to people who go on visa runs. But you really should be aware that to a Thai it's foreigners who try to go native that are the "litter" on the landscape; particularly those who rejoice to see the ordinary, decent people deprived of any say in how the country should be run.

Bah! The stench of that racist and xenophobic rant of yours, maybe you should pay DoctorA a visit, you know, the psy...

Edited February 3, 2015 by bangrak