Thai editorial: Don't give the bombers what they want

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Don't give the bombers what they want
The Nation

Sunday's attack at a Bangkok shopping mall was meant to sow fear among the public

BANGKOK: -- The recent bomb attack, regardless of how small the damage caused, is a reminder that Thailand has yet to shake off the cycle of political violence that has plagued the country for years.

The attack was not just a slap in the face for our latest military junta and policymakers.

The bombs were placed behind power transformers on a walkway linking the Skytrain to the Siam Paragon mall. The motive behind the attack appears to have been to create panic rather than to take lives or inflict much physical damage.

The fact that the culprits chose to attack in the heart of the city, where a row of luxury malls is serviced by a large train station, suggests they had more on their mind than just the image and feelings of the military junta. With so many foreign visitors passing through that particular point, it is clear that the intention was to damage Thailand's international standing.

The incident also undermined our military rulers' aim to restore calm and stability to a nation that has bled so much in a political crisis that was ostensibly supposed to end with the coup last May.

In other such conflicts around the world, attackers tend to claim responsibility for their actions. Violence is an integral part of their strategy aimed at future negotiation.

In Thailand the setting is different, in the sense that the primary opposing forces take turns running the country, so there is no genuine rival group of subversive militants.

In keeping with previous violent political incidents here - including grenade attacks on demonstrators or on agencies accused of leaning towards one political clique or another, no one has come out to claim responsibility. The information vacuum leaves imaginations running wild over the identity of the bombers.

Understandably, the malls in this prime shopping destination have decided to step up security measures in the aftermath of the Sunday bombing.

Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana of Central Pattana, which owns CentralWorld, CentralPlaza and Central Festival, said the company had ordered security checks on all vehicles and visitors' baggage at all entrances and exits.

But we shouldn't leave the job to security guards alone. Every one of us needs to help out. The security of public places needs to be understood as a collective effort and responsibility for it should be part of everyone's civic duty.

This means we must be on the alert and not turn a blind eye when we notice something suspicious. A sense of general security can only be achieved if all of us play a part in safeguarding public space.

The security measures already in place, whether they are the work of the police or private agencies, aren't always reassuring.

We walk through metal detectors and, sometimes, get our bags checked at entrances to public buildings. But the way the security staff goes about its business suggests merely going through the motions rather than actually searching for something.

Finding the right balance between convenience and security for the public is difficult. Entering a shopping mall shouldn't have to be like going through an airport security check. We need to find a happy medium if we want ensure that our public places remain safe.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Dont-give-the-bombers-what-they-want-30253502.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-06

[jaidam]

I would like to reassure forumers that the bombs timing, coming hot on the heels of Yingluck's impeachment, is purely coincidental. The red elite's frothing is also no doubt coincidental. There is no evidence or precedent that shows Thaksin would sponsor violence to further his clan's riches,power and face. Even though he is a convicted criminal fugitive on the run, the man could not be so crass and selfish, could he?

[thesetat2013]

Who writes this garbage. To days now I have been reading about how 1 bomb undermines a leaders ability to restore peace ! 1 stupid bomb!!! They claim political motivation yet have No proof. I think the news is trying to stir dissent and fear amongst the junta and the people. This could just be some crazy Thai man or for that matter someone in the SIS or a terrorist from the deep south. They don't know! Yet they keep spouting out how this makes the junta look like they are not in control! Excuse me news people! But 1bomb by unknown persons does not show a lack of control by the countries leaders. What idiocracy!!!

[tbthailand]

The motive behind the attack appears to have been...

or said a different way, "we have no clue really, but we're gonna just write the same drivel we were going to write about the 'conflict' and all the good reasons to keep martial law and thank the 'NCPO' three times for just "being there" ...

[rasmus5150]

Yesterday Paragon was filled with shoppers and mall rats, as usual. Nobody seems scared.

[Robby nz]

I would like to reassure forumers that the bombs timing, coming hot on the heels of Yingluck's impeachment, is purely coincidental. The red elite's frothing is also no doubt coincidental. There is no evidence or precedent that shows Thaksin would sponsor violence to further his clan's riches,power and face. Even though he is a convicted criminal fugitive on the run, the man could not be so crass and selfish, could he?

Yes.

He will never give up trying to get back into power by whatever means he can, he showed by instigating and funding the 2010 riots that he has no consideration for the lives and property of others or for this country.

His amnesty bill only reinforced this as it would not only have got him back free of any charges but would have forgiven all corruption from his time in office up to the time of the bill, should it have been passed.

Meaning that all those who had engaged in corrupt practices could have kept the money or power they gained from corruption and could never have been brought to justice.

Fortunately the good people of this country saw through his dastardly schemes and came out in protest putting a stop to his plans.

[noitom]

The Thai press is clearly fomenting fear and engendering panic. There are absolutely no facts associated with this editorial. Readers have no clue as to forensic evidence and tracking to any source. Thai intelligence and security is clearly substandard and gives rise to speculation that there is little if any security in Thailand.

[Fat Haggis]

I would like to reassure forumers that the bombs timing, coming hot on the heels of Yingluck's impeachment, is purely coincidental. The red elite's frothing is also no doubt coincidental. There is no evidence or precedent that shows Thaksin would sponsor violence to further his clan's riches,power and face. Even though he is a convicted criminal fugitive on the run, the man could not be so crass and selfish, could he?

Yes.

He will never give up trying to get back into power by whatever means he can, he showed by instigating and funding the 2010 riots that he has no consideration for the lives and property of others or for this country.

His amnesty bill only reinforced this as it would not only have got him back free of any charges but would have forgiven all corruption from his time in office up to the time of the bill, should it have been passed.

Meaning that all those who had engaged in corrupt practices could have kept the money or power they gained from corruption and could never have been brought to justice.

Fortunately the good people of this country saw through his dastardly schemes and came out in protest putting a stop to his plans.

The good people Rob? do you mean the extremely wealthy Generals who all have fingers in various pies, who broke the Thai Law by staging a coup, or the current Monk who was up to his neck in Palm oil scams and also has a less than impressionable stance when dealing with corruption?

Do you honestly believe that the wealth of the current Ruling Military people came from hard work, and they all saved all their Stang since they were little kids??

The good people of Thailand wanted to vote in February 2014 and were prevented from doing so, or did that part slip your mind Rob? They also wanted to vote again in July, but the boys in Green had other ideas..

Good people? Thailand belongs to ALL Thai's, not the ruling elitists from both sides of the political divide!!

[Emster23]

"The incident also undermined our military rulers' aim to restore calm and stability to a nation that has bled so much in a political crisis that was ostensibly supposed to end with the coup last May."

If "calm and stability" were to be present in Thailand, there would be greater pressure to have democratically elected government. If remain in crisis mode, then current power group can plead "Oh we can't possibly have elections now. Wait til things are better. We promise....."

[Thai at Heart]

I note that no paper dare to surmise that having a small explosion inna controlled place with no injuries, but using the media to blow the story up to massive proportions is completely in the juntas interest.

I dont believe this bomb is anything more than a false flag to justify perpetuating the martial law and longevity of the junta.

[rickirs]

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I would like to reassure forumers that the bombs timing, coming hot on the heels of Yingluck's impeachment, is purely coincidental. The red elite's frothing is also no doubt coincidental. There is no evidence or precedent that shows Thaksin would sponsor violence to further his clan's riches,power and face. Even though he is a convicted criminal fugitive on the run, the man could not be so crass and selfish, could he?

Yes.

He will never give up trying to get back into power by whatever means he can, he showed by instigating and funding the 2010 riots that he has no consideration for the lives and property of others or for this country.

His amnesty bill only reinforced this as it would not only have got him back free of any charges but would have forgiven all corruption from his time in office up to the time of the bill, should it have been passed.

Meaning that all those who had engaged in corrupt practices could have kept the money or power they gained from corruption and could never have been brought to justice.

Fortunately the good people of this country saw through his dastardly schemes and came out in protest putting a stop to his plans.

Hmmmm. Using amnesty to get back into power. Why didn't the Junta think of that? Wait, it did!

[rickirs]

This artcile stirs conflict among the Thai people and mocks the effectiveness of the Junta! NCPO should immediately demand a retraction and send the author to an attitude adjustment camp.

Or does the Junta tolerate pro-coup supporters with double standards of behavior? Chi.

[scorecard]

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

I would like to reassure forumers that the bombs timing, coming hot on the heels of Yingluck's impeachment, is purely coincidental. The red elite's frothing is also no doubt coincidental. There is no evidence or precedent that shows Thaksin would sponsor violence to further his clan's riches,power and face. Even though he is a convicted criminal fugitive on the run, the man could not be so crass and selfish, could he?

Yes.

He will never give up trying to get back into power by whatever means he can, he showed by instigating and funding the 2010 riots that he has no consideration for the lives and property of others or for this country.

His amnesty bill only reinforced this as it would not only have got him back free of any charges but would have forgiven all corruption from his time in office up to the time of the bill, should it have been passed.

Meaning that all those who had engaged in corrupt practices could have kept the money or power they gained from corruption and could never have been brought to justice.

Fortunately the good people of this country saw through his dastardly schemes and came out in protest putting a stop to his plans.

The good people Rob? do you mean the extremely wealthy Generals who all have fingers in various pies, who broke the Thai Law by staging a coup, or the current Monk who was up to his neck in Palm oil scams and also has a less than impressionable stance when dealing with corruption?

Do you honestly believe that the wealth of the current Ruling Military people came from hard work, and they all saved all their Stang since they were little kids??

The good people of Thailand wanted to vote in February 2014 and were prevented from doing so, or did that part slip your mind Rob? They also wanted to vote again in July, but the boys in Green had other ideas..

Good people? Thailand belongs to ALL Thai's, not the ruling elitists from both sides of the political divide!!

What do we have here? Another graduate of the Robert spin academy, taking the article into other realms.

[waitforusalso]

Don't give the bombers what they want.... i.e. a reason to indefinitely continue martial law & postpone elections; a chance to frame & incriminate their opposition; a chance to justify themselves after they were rightfully criticized for being unjust!

[Fat Haggis]

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

I would like to reassure forumers that the bombs timing, coming hot on the heels of Yingluck's impeachment, is purely coincidental. The red elite's frothing is also no doubt coincidental. There is no evidence or precedent that shows Thaksin would sponsor violence to further his clan's riches,power and face. Even though he is a convicted criminal fugitive on the run, the man could not be so crass and selfish, could he?

Yes.

He will never give up trying to get back into power by whatever means he can, he showed by instigating and funding the 2010 riots that he has no consideration for the lives and property of others or for this country.

His amnesty bill only reinforced this as it would not only have got him back free of any charges but would have forgiven all corruption from his time in office up to the time of the bill, should it have been passed.

Meaning that all those who had engaged in corrupt practices could have kept the money or power they gained from corruption and could never have been brought to justice.

Fortunately the good people of this country saw through his dastardly schemes and came out in protest putting a stop to his plans.

The good people Rob? do you mean the extremely wealthy Generals who all have fingers in various pies, who broke the Thai Law by staging a coup, or the current Monk who was up to his neck in Palm oil scams and also has a less than impressionable stance when dealing with corruption?

Do you honestly believe that the wealth of the current Ruling Military people came from hard work, and they all saved all their Stang since they were little kids??

The good people of Thailand wanted to vote in February 2014 and were prevented from doing so, or did that part slip your mind Rob? They also wanted to vote again in July, but the boys in Green had other ideas..

Good people? Thailand belongs to ALL Thai's, not the ruling elitists from both sides of the political divide!!

What do we have here? Another graduate of the Robert spin academy, taking the article into other realms.

Not a fan of the PTP or Robert Amsterdam in the slightest, but instead of making assumptions, perhaps you'd care to explain why the Senior Military Figures in the Thai Forces and Police amass such wealth, and yet wish to clamp down on corruption.

Perhaps you too would like to tell all of us who these "good people" are?

Perhaps you could also explain why time and time and time again, that coups which are major law breakers, gives themselves amnesties, and yet you can pick mushrooms in a national park and get jailed?

Or are you just another farang who see's the Thai people as either Elite or piss poor?

Instead of making asinine comments, why not take the time to refute what I posted, I'm all up for some education, or are you like the majority of TVF expats, just another random bloke without a single say in just who the Thais should listen to or follow?

If they all wanted to vote for Ronald MacDonald, just who are you to tell them they're wrong??

[petercool]

Two flame and baiting posts removed

[ksamuiguy]

A Bomb, 20 years minimum mandatory jail sentence and 250,000 baht fine.