Evidence at guards' homes linked to Samui car bomb

[webfact]

Evidence at guards' homes linked to Samui car bomb
THE NATION

THREE MALL GUARDS HELD AFTER GIVING CONFLICTING STATEMENTS TO POLICE; NOW IN MILITARY CUSTODY

BANGKOK: -- POLICE found evidence during a search of three homes belonging to security guards working at Central Festival on Koh Samui that they believe is linked to the car-bomb attack on the shopping mall on Friday night.

The three guards were detained yesterday for questioning by a military team appointed by the Fourth Army Region commander after police said they gave conflicting and suspicious statements about the incident.

Investigators brought sniffer dogs to the guards' homes at Koh Samui and found some components they believed were used to assemble the bomb.

They also collected DNA from the three guards and the results, which will determine if the men were involved in the attack, will be known in a few days.

The military team interrogating the guards suspected that the trio might be involved in the crime because of their suspicious testimonies.

A map of the department store and other evidence was also found during the search of their homes.

Meanwhile, Surat Thani police are going through criminal-record files in an attempt to identify people captured on a surveillance camera travelling to the island in two vehicles on the morning of the bombing.

Maj-General Somchai Nittayaborwornkul, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region Eight, said officers would gather more evidence before issuing an arrest warrant for a man in a blue shirt suspected of driving the pickup used in the attack to the car park where the bomb was detonated. Security cameras captured his image as he left the car park.

Somchai said police had checked 80 per cent of the 123 security cameras at the department store.

Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that after obtaining evidence and interviewing witnesses, police believed the perpetrators staged the attack in a bid to mislead the public into thinking it was part of the southern insurgency.

Sansern said the method for stealing the pickup used in the attack from Yala's Yaha district was different from the insurgents' technique. "The way the thieves tied up the driver before stealing the pickup was suspicious," he said.

Sansern said security officials suspected old political powers masterminded the attack. This is thought to refer to the political clique ousted by the coup.

"They distorted or diverted attention to make us believe the bomb was part of the insurgency. They could not mislead us," he said.

Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr, who is also Army chief, said he did not believe that the bomb attack was aimed at spreading insurgency outside the deep South.

He said police had not ruled out a personal conflict as being behind the attack, noting that the mall had recently laid off workers.

He said this personal-conflict theory carried as much weight as the political-motivation theory.

Asked if the attackers wanted to challenge the government after it invoked Article 44 of the provisional charter, Udomdej said some groups who did not understand the need for the law might be upset.

Provincial Police Region Eight Commissioner Lt-General Decha Butnampet said the transfer of Koh Samui-based Bo Phut Police Station superintendent Colonel Thewet Pluemsut to Chumphon after the bomb attack was for the sake of convenience.

"He has not been permanently transferred out of the area but only temporarily so investigators can work more conveniently," he said. No further explanation was given.

Decha said investigators suspected that a person who bought a ferry ticket to travel to Koh Samui was connected with locals who served as lookouts during the attack.

He said one of the three security guards being questioned was assigned to guard the car park a few days before the attack.

Somchai said police had summoned eight former Central Festival workers for questioning.

A taxi driver was questioned after witnesses said that when a suspect left the store a taxi was parked nearby, he said.

Political activist Suriyasai Katasila said the car-bombing was more complicated than attacks staged earlier because it appeared the incident was the work of extremists linked to the "old political powers" and southern insurgents.

He called on the government to work more proactively.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Evidence-at-guards-homes-linked-to-Samui-car-bomb-30257995.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-14

[Dannyboy666]

Minders of the Henhouse...

[NongKhaiKid]

Many of us have no faith in the BIB and their total lack of expertise so it's lucky for them that they are assisted by having to investigate equal incompetents.

isn't it amazing how many suspects leave so much incriminating evidence just lying around waiting to be found ?

[crazygreg44]

it will be interesting to learn WHY they would place a bomb inside a car. Can you win a million in cash by doing it? Are the security guards from the south, muslim, and known for having been trained in Pakistan ? Come on BIB , offer an explanation.

[Bluespunk]

Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that after obtaining evidence and interviewing witnesses, police believed the perpetrators staged the attack in a bid to mislead the public into thinking it was part of the southern insurgency.

Sansern said the method for stealing the pickup used in the attack from Yala's Yaha district was different from the insurgents' technique. "The way the thieves tied up the driver before stealing the pickup was suspicious," he said.

Sansern said security officials suspected old political powers masterminded the attack. This is thought to refer to the political clique ousted by the coup.

"They distorted or diverted attention to make us believe the bomb was part of the insurgency. They could not mislead us," he said."

They couldn't distort the truth, mislead the public or divert attention?

That's good.

It would be terrible if that happened.

Edited April 13, 2015 by Bluespunk

[NongKhaiKid]

Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that after obtaining evidence and interviewing witnesses, police believed the perpetrators staged the attack in a bid to mislead the public into thinking it was part of the southern insurgency.

Sansern said the method for stealing the pickup used in the attack from Yala's Yaha district was different from the insurgents' technique. "The way the thieves tied up the driver before stealing the pickup was suspicious," he said.

Sansern said security officials suspected old political powers masterminded the attack. This is thought to refer to the political clique ousted by the coup.

"They distorted or diverted attention to make us believe the bomb was part of the insurgency. They could not mislead us," he said."

They couldn't distort the truth, mislead the public or divert attention?

That's good.

It would be terrible if that happened.

After that carefully constructed ' we've got it nailed ' statement the Deputy Defence Minister weighed in saying the BIB had not ruled out personal conflict as the mall had recently laid off some workers adding that the personal conflict idea carried as much weight as the political motivation theory ? ?

Ring a Ring a' Roses. let's all join hands and go round in circles.

Could it be a disgruntled ex-employee with both a personal grudge and a political motive ? It would mean that everybody has got it right.

[geriatrickid]

Interesting:

Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr, who is also Army chief, said police had not ruled out a personal conflict as being behind the attack, noting that the mall had recently laid off workers. He said this personal-conflict theory carried as much weight as the political-motivation theory.

Labour conflicts and violence go hand in hand. Sometimes the most obvious explanation is the common sense one.

All these convoluted claims that it was southern insurgents or redshirts, just detracts from getting at what happened.

Anyone else notice that no "journalists" have bothered to go and check out the story? No interviews with anyone and no verifying to see if there was a labour dispute. Either the media is lazy or doesn't want this to be discussed.

[Srikcir]

"it appeared the incident was the work of extremists linked to the "old political powers" and southern insurgents."

More conflicting theories!

If by "old political powers" the inference is Thaksin, he sided with the Thai military in ruthless suppression of the southern insurgents to protect Thai sovereignty in the South. This theory is on par with the reason that Thaksin regime was overthrown by the military - the coup was done to keep Thaksin from overthrowing his own elected government.

[Lupatria]

He said police had not ruled out a personal conflict as being behind the attack, noting that the mall had recently laid off workers.

After reading the first 15 lines, that is exactly the statement I was waiting for. An act of personal revenge from laid off or underpaid workers would come in handy as it will not hurt the tourism as much as ongoing political conflict.

[oneday]

"...Sansern said security officials suspected old political powers masterminded the attack. This is thought to refer to the political clique ousted by the coup..."

Talk about slinging mud. There is nothing about this statement that makes sense.

If the bombers are trying to make a statement then why try to point the finger elsewhere. Bombers will usually set the bomb off then make their statement, unless the location (like in the south) says it all. What was the point of the bombing? What were they trying to accomplish? Why set off a bomb if no one is going to make a statement as to WHY they are doing it. In this light the whole bombing here and in BKK makes no sense at all, but it's a great opportunity for the current government to point fingers.

[lemonjelly]

BIB and RTA are desperate to find someone other than the RKK to blame and seem to be prepared to use DNA evidence found in the wreckage of the pick up ( could DNA survive that blast and inferno?) to try and put this case to bed.

God only knows what the security guards are going through as we read about this, they're probably screaming for the pain to stop and will sign anything to make that happen......

[zaphod reborn]

"...Sansern said security officials suspected old political powers masterminded the attack. This is thought to refer to the political clique ousted by the coup..."

Talk about slinging mud. There is nothing about this statement that makes sense.

If the bombers are trying to make a statement then why try to point the finger elsewhere. Bombers will usually set the bomb off then make their statement, unless the location (like in the south) says it all. What was the point of the bombing? What were they trying to accomplish? Why set off a bomb if no one is going to make a statement as to WHY they are doing it. In this light the whole bombing here and in BKK makes no sense at all, but it's a great opportunity for the current government to point fingers.

I wasn't aware that the red-shirts have ever taken credit for one of their bombings, grenade attacks, arson or other acts of mayhem. So, according to your logic, it doesn't make sense at all that they routinely employ violence for political purpose. Sounds perfectly logical to me.

[bangkoklasse]

First it was linked to the Bangkok bombing, then linked to the reds. And now linked to the guards

[klauskunkel]

"They distorted or diverted attention to make us believe the bomb was part of the insurgency. They could not mislead us,"

How anybody thinks they can mislead the government is just preposterous, Especially using antiquated misleading techniques and equipment. No, the only ones having a chance in misleading the government is the government. Let's give them a wide space, so they can proceed...

[JOC]

First it was linked to the Bangkok bombing, then linked to the reds. And now linked to the guards

The biggest threat to security in Thailand is not insurgents or terrorists, but the incompetence of the police-force!!

[novo58]

Interesting to note that .................the "NEW " way to investigate a crime in Thailand is to "temporarily " transfer the local senior officials to posts in other areas .

[JOC]

Interesting to note that .................the "NEW " way to investigate a crime in Thailand is to "temporarily " transfer the local senior officials to posts in other areas .

Remember Koh Tao??

The officer that believed the headmans family to be involved, was suddenly sidelined (promoted?)

The RTP is all about politics and money!!

[candide]

I am surprised they did not find redshirt flags, DVDs with Thaksin's speeches, etc.....

Hmmmm...probably difficult for the RTP to get any in this region...

[JOC]

>>Sansern said the method for stealing the pickup used in the attack from Yala's Yaha district was different from the insurgents' technique. "The way the thieves tied up the driver before stealing the pickup was suspicious," he said.

Sansern said security officials suspected old political powers masterminded the attack. This is thought to refer to the political clique ousted by the coup.

"They distorted or diverted attention to make us believe the bomb was part of the insurgency. They could not mislead us," he said.<< Quote

Seriously, you couldn't make this up...............

And those are the guys, who are supposed to protect us...............Lord have mercy!!

[elgordo38]

Many of us have no faith in the BIB and their total lack of expertise so it's lucky for them that they are assisted by having to investigate equal incompetents.

isn't it amazing how many suspects leave so much incriminating evidence just lying around waiting to be found ?

Did they find any red shirts hanging in the closet?

[elgordo38]

Interesting to note that .................the "NEW " way to investigate a crime in Thailand is to "temporarily " transfer the local senior officials to posts in other areas .

Forget the trip to the woodshed. Show them on television being stripped of their rank and put into black and white stripped suits. Now that would inspire the populous.

[NongKhaiKid]

Many of us have no faith in the BIB and their total lack of expertise so it's lucky for them that they are assisted by having to investigate equal incompetents.

isn't it amazing how many suspects leave so much incriminating evidence just lying around waiting to be found ?

Did they find any red shirts hanging in the closet?

Your'e not suggesting they're gay as well as everything else ?

[phoenixdoglover]

Notwithstanding the apparent chaos of the investigation, the journalism in this article, if you can call it that, is pathetic. Just a hodgepodge of quotes, in no particular order. No attempt at creating a coherent story.

I often wonder, are we seeing the incompetence of the authorities, or of the Thai press, or both?

No, no, I don't want an answer. It would be depressing.

The TAT spokeswoman has it right. Everything is just wonderful. Happy water everyone.

[oneday]

"...Sansern said security officials suspected old political powers masterminded the attack. This is thought to refer to the political clique ousted by the coup..."

Talk about slinging mud. There is nothing about this statement that makes sense.

If the bombers are trying to make a statement then why try to point the finger elsewhere. Bombers will usually set the bomb off then make their statement, unless the location (like in the south) says it all. What was the point of the bombing? What were they trying to accomplish? Why set off a bomb if no one is going to make a statement as to WHY they are doing it. In this light the whole bombing here and in BKK makes no sense at all, but it's a great opportunity for the current government to point fingers.

I wasn't aware that the red-shirts have ever taken credit for one of their bombings, grenade attacks, arson or other acts of mayhem. So, according to your logic, it doesn't make sense at all that they routinely employ violence for political purpose. Sounds perfectly logical to me.

So what's the point of bombing someplace if no one knows who or why? The plain fact is there is NO evidence this is because of some grand "Red Shirt" conspiracy, but the government would love for you and everyone else to believe so before the next elections and every chance they get they will point the finger at them.

Please enlighten me as to what the "Red Shirts" would hope to gain by senseless, random bombings where innocent people, including children, can be harmed. Targeted bombings at government offices, police stations, etc. I might consider as politically motivated, but malls where innocent people congregate, that's just pure lunacy to think the "Red Shirts" have anything at all to gain from these kinds of bombings.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Anyone else notice that no "journalists" have bothered to go and check out the story? No interviews with anyone and no verifying to see if there was a labour dispute. Either the media is lazy or doesn't want this to be discussed.

That seems to be the norm here most of the time.

How large a share of the "news" articles we read here every day have ONLY police or Army or government spokesmen as the named sources? 80-90%???

How many of the articles we read here every day have any comment from the people being accused or suspected of some wrongdoing or their family/ attorneys / etc? 5-10%???

[DM07]

Notwithstanding the apparent chaos of the investigation, the journalism in this article, if you can call it that, is pathetic. Just a hodgepodge of quotes, in no particular order. No attempt at creating a coherent story.

I often wonder, are we seeing the incompetence of the authorities, or of the Thai press, or both?

No, no, I don't want an answer. It would be depressing.

The TAT spokeswoman has it right. Everything is just wonderful. Happy water everyone.

"Just a hodgepodge of quotes, in no particular order. No attempt at creating a coherent story."

Just following the lead of the authorities, one might think!

[plachon]

"...Sansern said security officials suspected old political powers masterminded the attack. This is thought to refer to the political clique ousted by the coup..."

Talk about slinging mud. There is nothing about this statement that makes sense.

If the bombers are trying to make a statement then why try to point the finger elsewhere. Bombers will usually set the bomb off then make their statement, unless the location (like in the south) says it all. What was the point of the bombing? What were they trying to accomplish? Why set off a bomb if no one is going to make a statement as to WHY they are doing it. In this light the whole bombing here and in BKK makes no sense at all, but it's a great opportunity for the current government to point fingers.

I wasn't aware that the red-shirts have ever taken credit for one of their bombings, grenade attacks, arson or other acts of mayhem. So, according to your logic, it doesn't make sense at all that they routinely employ violence for political purpose. Sounds perfectly logical to me.

So what's the point of bombing someplace if no one knows who or why? The plain fact is there is NO evidence this is because of some grand "Red Shirt" conspiracy, but the government would love for you and everyone else to believe so before the next elections and every chance they get they will point the finger at them.

Please enlighten me as to what the "Red Shirts" would hope to gain by senseless, random bombings where innocent people, including children, can be harmed. Targeted bombings at government offices, police stations, etc. I might consider as politically motivated, but malls where innocent people congregate, that's just pure lunacy to think the "Red Shirts" have anything at all to gain from these kinds of bombings.

You mean malls like Central World (firebombed in May 2015) and many other public buildings burned, bombed and attacked by the Redshirts in 2009, 2010 and on several other occasions since, weren't places where innocent people congregated and were rational, sane reactions? At the height of the Redshirt bombing campaign in 2009-2010, they were lobbing bombs on places where innocent men, women and children were sleeping on an almost nightly basis, and if wasn't for the loose talk of Seh Daeng and his "grenade dances", the pro-Thaksin camp would never have admitted liability for their violent actions. I think you many want to revise your modern history studies of political violence tactics in Thailand of the last decade.

[cookee68]

Why have they not got the DNA back already, I thought they could do it within 24 hours like they did with other suspects around that area, and strange they moved some top brass, to make it easier for them, why is that

[halloween]

Interesting:

Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr, who is also Army chief, said police had not ruled out a personal conflict as being behind the attack, noting that the mall had recently laid off workers. He said this personal-conflict theory carried as much weight as the political-motivation theory.

Labour conflicts and violence go hand in hand. Sometimes the most obvious explanation is the common sense one.

All these convoluted claims that it was southern insurgents or redshirts, just detracts from getting at what happened.

Anyone else notice that no "journalists" have bothered to go and check out the story? No interviews with anyone and no verifying to see if there was a labour dispute. Either the media is lazy or doesn't want this to be discussed.

As a former union representative, I have been involved in a few industrial disputes and labour conflicts. I have seen some hot tempers and a few punches thrown, but I have never heard of a disgruntled (ex-?)employee travelling hundreds of km to steal a car, pay for the transportation costs and explosives, and then blow it up in a place that will cause minimal damage.

If that is your version of common sense, you seem to be in deficit of that commodity.