'M Redshirt' arrested in connection to Friday attacks on Samui island

[webfact]

'M Redshirt' arrested in connection to Friday attacks
THE NATION

THE NATIONAL Council for Peace and Order yesterday confirmed that Article 44 of the provisional constitution was cited to arrest Narin Umnongbua or "M Redshirt" in connection with the weekend bombing at the Central Festival shopping mall on Samui island.

Colonel Winthai Suvari, spokesman for the NCPO, said yesterday that the suspect is being detained at a classified place for investigation, which should take no longer than seven days.

All details of the interrogation would be accessible when it has been completed - and not before that, he said.

Facebook post on Surat Thani

"The government officials are not working according to their personal judgement. There is clear evidence and information that can be verified with regards to the process," he said.

The suspect had posted on Facebook that "a lot of stuff is being prepared for Surat Thani tonight".

The car bomb attack in Surat Thani did not signify an expansion of the conflict zone resulting from the unrest in the southernmost provinces, he said.

"Most of the bombings beyond the southernmost provinces are done with the intention to create a disturbance," he said.

Some groups of people are looking for occasions to blow up bombs and fire war weapons, he said.

Officials would be tough with legal measures to tackle the problem, he added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/M-Redshirt-arrested-in-connection-to-Friday-attack-30257969.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-13

[webfact]

Thai police detain man, tighten security, after Samui car bomb

AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thai police have detained a man suspected of involvement in a car bomb on the resort island of Samui that wounded seven people, authorities said Sunday.

Military officers detained the man for questioning late Saturday in Nonthaburi province, on the northern outskirts of Bangkok, in connection to the explosion, national police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP.

"Authorities have brought in a man for questioning after finding a threatening post on his Facebook page," Prawut said, adding the post had appeared Friday before the blast.

"As far as I know, he is still in military detention for further investigation," he said.

Security in the tourist hub has been tightened since the car bomb in a mall car park went off Friday, injuring six Thais and a 12-year-old Italian girl.

Extra police officers have since been deployed as Thailand enters the busy Songkran new year holiday period, Prawut said.

"We have sent more police to check the airport and ferry port," he added.

The blast comes a week after Thailand's junta, which seized power last May, replaced martial law with sweeping security powers retaining the military's control including the right to arrest and detain people for crimes such as breaching national security.

It has justified the new measures, widely criticised by the international community, as essential to curb the threat of political unrest, recently blaming anti-coup groups for a series of small bomb attacks in Bangkok earlier this year.

On Saturday Prawut said the car used in the Samui bomb attack had been stolen from Yala, one of Thailand's three southernmost Muslim-majority provinces that have been scorched by a 10-year insurgency that has killed more than 6,300 people.

But he did not specify whether the blast was believed to be linked to that conflict -- which is hundreds of kilometres away and which has so far remained highly localised.

Thai police have previously been accused of leaping to conclusions in the immediate aftermath of high-profile incidents.

They came under fire during the probe into the murder of two British backpackers on Koh Tao island last year for bungling the initial investigation.

Small bomb attacks and shootings are fairly frequent across Thailand, where the rule of law is weak, and are often attributed to disputes over business, local politics or criminal activities.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-04-13

[jaidam]

Might this FINALLY be a good enough reason to cancel our friend in Dubai's diplomatic passport? Of course it would be better to drag him back here in irons to be publicly flayed alive, but at least cancelling his diplomatic passport would be a start.

[canuckamuck]

Not only do I fail to see how this bombing would benefit the red cause. I also have trouble understanding why someone would post about it before hand on Facebook.

Not that logic and caution have a big role in decision making here.

[NongKhaiKid]

" Thai police have previously been accused of jumping to conclusions ... "

In no time flat it was decided the motive was political but right on cue it's now being reported the BIB are saying ' local business or political conflicts ' !

I've given up hope they will ever learn to investigate first then talk rather than the other way round.

Instead of appearing to be on top of the matter etc they only expose themselves to even more of the ridicule they so richly deserve.

[BSJ]

Whatever the motive there is no excuse for putting a bomb in a public car park.....or anywhere else for that matter. It was simply good luck that no-one was killed. It's a criminal act and the perpetrators should be bough to justice with the full force of the law brought down on them.

[rubl]

Might this FINALLY be a good enough reason to cancel our friend in Dubai's diplomatic passport? Of course it would be better to drag him back here in irons to be publicly flayed alive, but at least cancelling his diplomatic passport would be a start.

As far as I know that would be 'passport', not 'diplomatic passport'

[AGareth2]

so just a coincidence the pick up came from Yala

[NongKhaiKid]

so just a coincidence the pick up came from Yala

Apart from throwing ' local business conflicts ' into the mix it's also being suggested that those involved may have been ' hired ' from the southern provinces to do the job !

[ExPratt]

M Redshirt ? Emmanuel Goldstein Perhaps

[baboon]

The connection will now be made in many people's heads, even if it transpires the bomb was not politically motivated. How very convenient. Why is the headline not more sensibly 'Suspect arrested' until further details come to light?

[oneday]

With a government that is operating under Article 44, how can you believe anything they say.

“History is always written by the winners. When two cultures clash, the loser is obliterated, and the winner writes the history books-books which glorify their own cause and disparage the conquered foe. As Napoleon once said, 'What is history, but a fable agreed upon?”

[webfact]

Central Festival Samui car bomb takes toll on local police chief



KOH SAMUI: -- The car bombing at Central Festival Samui on April 10 has taken toll on local police when the police chief of Bor Phud police station has now been transferred.

Region 8 Provincial Police Command commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Decha Butnampet has ordered the transfer of Pol Col Theves Pleumsook, chief of Bor Phud police station with jurisdiction covering the bombing scene to assisting job at the administrative office of Chumphon police station.

No reason was given to the transfer of the officer to the inactive position in Chumphon.

Meanwhile Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang said the police have established three motives in the Samui car bombing.

He outlined the motives as political conflict, business conflict and southern insurgency.

Army spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree said security officials have detained a red shirt suspect for questioning after he posted on his Facebook indicating he knew of the attempt in Samui in advance.

He said interrogation by military personnel will take about a week, adding that no other details could be given at the moment and no charge has yet been pressed against him.

The spokesman, however, ruled out speculation that the bombing was the attempt of southern insurgents to expand insurgency to the area, but merely to create disturbance in the area.

But Royal Thai Police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri said M Redshirt Facebook had been closed long time ago but this account was recently created by unknown person.

He said investigation by police showed M Redshirt did not travel to Surat Thani during the period but was driving a taxi in Bangkok.

He said M Redshirt was a member of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) but was not a hardcore member.

He had no record of violence and police believed he did not post the message on Facebook, the spokesman said.

In-depth investigation is underway to find out the poster of the message, he said and added that M Redshirt remains in the custody of the military.

M Redshirt or Mr Narin Umnongbua was arrested by the military personnel in Nonthaburi because of a message he posted indicating that he knew something about the attack in advance.

At the same time Metropolitan police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sriwala Rangsitpramkul said the Samui car bomb plot was exactly the same as the bombing of Samarn Metta mansion in Bang Buathong district Nonthaburi province in 2010 as the type of bomb used was the same and was brought in from the deep South.

The investigation was undertaken by the Department of Special Investigation, he said and added it was not known if all suspects involving in the Samarn Metta bombing were arrested or not.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/central-festival-samui-car-bomb-takes-toll-on-local-police-chief


-- Thai PBS 2015-04-13

[ExPratt]

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

" Thai police have previously been accused of jumping to conclusions ... "

In no time flat it was decided the motive was political but right on cue it's now being reported the BIB are saying ' local business or political conflicts ' !

I've given up hope they will ever learn to investigate first then talk rather than the other way round.

Instead of appearing to be on top of the matter etc they only expose themselves to even more of the ridicule they so richly deserve.

Spot on, Both the Police and media make ridiculously crass and inaccurate statements in nearly every newsworthy issue. I think its the old Asian trait of just doing something to keep the boss happy

[canuckamuck]

Region 8 Provincial Police Command commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Decha Butnampet has ordered the transfer of Pol Col Theves Pleumsook, chief of Bor Phud police station with jurisdiction covering the bombing scene to assisting job at the administrative office of Chumphon police station.

Nothing political here. The junta just wants to have a fresh chain of command to tackle this delicate investigation. The old commander would have likely looked in the wrong place.

[Rogergreybeard]

Another blow for Tourism

[NongKhaiKid]

Whatever the motive there is no excuse for putting a bomb in a public car park.....or anywhere else for that matter. It was simply good luck that no-one was killed. It's a criminal act and the perpetrators should be bough to justice with the full force of the law brought down on them.

Another of the amazing comments from the joint military / police committee dealing with southern matters is that there may not have been an intent to cause harm as the bomb was set to go off when the area would have been empty !

[Bluespunk]

"Meanwhile Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang said the police have established three motives in the Samui car bombing.

He outlined the motives as political conflict, business conflict and southern insurgency."

Translation: We don't know

[JOC]

<<Meanwhile Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang said the police have established three motives in the Samui car bombing.

He outlined the motives as political conflict, business conflict and southern insurgency.<< Quote

No wonder a sharp guy like like that has become unusual wealthy.....................

[FangFerang]

"Most of the bombings beyond the southernmost provinces are done with the intention to create a disturbance," he said."

What a genius! I wish I was that smart...

[FangFerang]

"He said interrogation by military personnel will take about a week"--

It takes a lot of waterboarding and electrocution to get a savvy confesssion.

I hate this bull crap worse than the Shins.

[The Deerhunter]

"He said interrogation by military personnel will take about a week"--

It takes a lot of waterboarding and electrocution to get a savvy confesssion.

I hate this bull crap worse than the Shins.

Seriously? WORSE than the Shins? You really mean that? Cross your heart??

Edited April 13, 2015 by The Deerhunter

[JOC]

Not only do I fail to see how this bombing would benefit the red cause. I also have trouble understanding why someone would post about it before hand on Facebook.

Not that logic and caution have a big role in decision making here.

Wait a couple of days and the RTP will call a press conference to reveal.

1. Red shirt memorabilia and ID cards have been found at the crime scene

2. The bomb was marked TS

3. The suspect M Redshirt had implicated three other suspects: N Redshirt, O Redshirt and P Redshirt

Case solved, and elections put on hold for another decade...................

[NongKhaiKid]

"Meanwhile Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang said the police have established three motives in the Samui car bombing.

He outlined the motives as political conflict, business conflict and southern insurgency."

Translation: We don't know

at least he's ruled out 2 of the other usual favourites of personal conflict and love affair.

[Traveling Sailor]

"Meanwhile Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumphanmuang said the police have established three motives in the Samui car bombing.

He outlined the motives as political conflict, business conflict and southern insurgency."

Translation: We don't know

Yes! "We don't know, but these are the top three guesses, based on our in-ability to think critically".

[NeilSA1]

The connection will now be made in many people's heads, even if it transpires the bomb was not politically motivated. How very convenient. Why is the headline not more sensibly 'Suspect arrested' until further details come to light?

Agreed. Headlines are usually written in such a way that puts the PM in a bad light, and the inference is only rectified with the second publication (for example - the story about the PM believing the Thai fortune teller) " deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed "

[JOC]

The connection will now be made in many people's heads, even if it transpires the bomb was not politically motivated. How very convenient. Why is the headline not more sensibly 'Suspect arrested' until further details come to light?

Agreed. Headlines are usually written in such a way that puts the PM in a bad light, and the inference is only rectified with the second publication (for example - the story about the PM believing the Thai fortune teller) " deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed "

Excuse me Sir.

How does the headline: "M Redshirt arrested..............." put the PM in a bad light??

Looks more like a headline he had ordered, when asking for media "cooperation"..........

[ExPratt]

I don't know what Royal Thai Police Commissioner Police General Somyot Phumphanmuang is trying to achieve by giving the Public the luxury of 3 possible reasons for the bomb attack. Perhaps he was just rambling and sharing his thoughts , he may also believe the bomb was planted by Spiderman or an Anti Cathedrals of Consumerism Peoples Front. Although fascinating knowing the Royal Thai Police Commissioner Police Generals musings on the subject It may be prudent for him not to speak until he has narrowed his wish list of People who would likely plant a bomb to one. Normally attacks of this nature involve the Police and security forces telling the people of the country who carried out the act, not "Take your pick of these 3 , I cant be arsed , if anyone knows for sure , Let me know"

I was also mightily impressed by how quickly the police discovered and the Media reported the disappointing and somewhat surreal news that the car used in the bombing was stolen ! So car thieves as well as Terrorists/insurgents/ Freedom fighters/ Disgruntled Business partners , No wonder the Police are under so much pressure. I think this is just bad luck in the case as i'm sure the Police checked the registration of the car expecting it to be registered to a T Shinawatra or Al Queda in Yala. This of course has been a hammer blow to the Police investigation and they are now checking all local Conveniences to see if anyone wrote their name and the date on the cubicle walls their on the day of the incident

They always get their man , Keep em peeled

[Monkeyrobot]

Yeah right post it on Facebook give me a break, nobody's that stupid.

[boomerangutang]

Might this FINALLY be a good enough reason to cancel our friend in Dubai's diplomatic passport? Of course it would be better to drag him back here in irons to be publicly flayed alive, but at least cancelling his diplomatic passport would be a start.

As far as I know that would be 'passport', not 'diplomatic passport'

I think that's right. His diplomatic passports are from Nicaragua and Liberia, last time I checked. It's ironic, as I have a farang friend with two passports from two countries. When Thai officials found out, they were angry and threatened him with jail. But a very rich man with multiple passports, no problem for Thai officials, even if one of the passports has a fake name.