Another Blow For Tourism

[khall64au]

As the t-shirt says: Bird flu, Bali bombings, tsunami.. what next? (or something along those lines). The latest bombing tragedy in Hat Yai is another horrific "event" in southern Thailand that has hit world headlines - as intended- and can only be another negative slap in the face for the regional tourism industry.

Australian hurt in Thai blasts

September 17, 2006 - 8:21PM

Thai police picked through the wreckage for clues today after a string of bombs tore apart a popular tourist area, killing four people and wounding dozens, including at least one Australian, in troubled southern Thailand.

The six simultaneous blasts ripped through Saturday night crowds in bars and cafes in Hat Yai, the main tourist hub in the southern region that has been gripped by a Muslim insurgency, which has killed more than 1400 people.

A Canadian tourist was among the latest dead, officials said. A dead female mistakenly identified by medical staff as a Chinese tourist turned out later to be from Chiang Mai, hospital officials said.

At least one Australian was injured.

Health minister Pinit Jarusombat said 14 other foreigners were among the 72 wounded, and included six Malaysians, three Singaporeans, three Britons, an Indian and an American.

Paitoon Pattanasophon, police chief in Songkhla province, where Hat Yai is located, said police were holding emergency meetings during the morning as the hunt for suspects got under way.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has ordered his deputies to work closely with police and military, his secretary said.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Prasit Paochoo said two explosive devices were planted inside motorcycles and detonated with a mobile phone.

The other four were planted near the entrances of two department stores and a hotel frequented by foreigners, he said, adding that police were still unsure what kind of bombs they were.

As dawn broke in the city, crowds of shocked onlookers gathered amid the wreckage. Walls were studded with shrapnel at the sites, which were covered with debris and pools of blood.

"I heard the blast and I live a kilometre away," said one bystander as others stood numbly on the edges of devastated restaurants.

Several charred vehicles lay in the road where they had burned the night before.

Outside the Brown Sugar Bar and Cafe, an Australian visitor still wearing his hospital gown stood staring at the wreckage of where he was drinking the night before.

"I feel really lucky today," said the distraught man, who did not give his name, adding that doctors had removed shrapnel from his shoulder and his girlfriend suffered multiple fractures to her leg.

The Australian Government said no Australians have been killed or remain in hospital.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was aware of media reports saying an Australian had been injured in the blasts, but had not been contacted by the man.

A DFAT spokesman said the Australian Embassy in Bangkok had advised there were no reports of any Australian fatalities.

"The (reportedly injured) Australian is not in hospital and has not requested consular assistance," the spokesman said.

In the immediate aftermath of the blasts, Thai television showed bloodied victims lying in restaurants or being led to safety by rescue personnel as vehicles burned in streets, which were strewn with shattered glass and overturned tables and chairs.

One body was shown covered with a white sheet next to an overturned motorcycle as firemen tried to douse several blazing vehicles nearby.

Soon after the blasts, nearly 1000 foreign and Thai tourists staying in hotels along Hat Yai's main road were evacuated, The Nation newspaper reported.

Hat Yai was also the victim of deadly insurgent violence in April 2005 when the city's airport was bombed, killing two people, and the city has been struggling to rebuild its tourism industry.

Parts of Songkhla province are under martial law as the Government struggles to contain the Islamic insurgency, and provincial governor Somporn Chaibangyang said the attacks would further damage Hat Yai's tourism sector, which is still recovering from the airport blasts.

"We need to work hard to regain our tourism," he said.

"Authorities have to work completely to prevent any violence from happening. But it is difficult to keep watching every single area, as wrongdoers will make violence in the area where they think they will have the most success," he said.

AFP

[NBT TV Phuket]

Mini-video: Phuket steps up security after the Haad Yai bombing and is having its officers trained today in handling explosives and combating terrorism.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=187776

The Haad Yai explosive incidents which caused civilian casualties, led Phuket police to step up its security measures with strict checks on various locations. At the Tha Chart Chai check point, which is the only land gateway to the island, vehicles entering the island are being thoroughly checked, especially the suspicious ones. Following the measures, police arrested Chartchai Nilata aged 38 with an HK 33 rifle with 133 bullets and some amphetamine tablets. Chartchai however claimed that he brought in arms to be a body guard for a Yala provincial head monk who visited a revered monk in Phuket. Police however seized the weapon to prevent any crime incidents. According to police investigation, the suspect was previously charged for assault attempts and drug cases in the province of Trang.

Meanwhile the Phuket Governor has instructed 24 hour security alerts at prime locations, such as Phuket International Airport. Police are also asked to patrol at busy areas like shopping malls and entertainment places to prevent any crime and assure safety for residents and tourists alike.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Decha Butnampetch said CCTV will be installed in 16 different locations across the island for security reasons while he calls on the public to notify police of any suspicious incidents. Today until the 21st September, the Phuket police is joining hands with the US Embassy in Thailand to hold a training workshop on handling explosives to enhance the officers skills in countering terrorists.

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast live to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & repeats on Phuket Cable channel 1 with new times of 9.30am; 3.30, 7.30, & 11.30pm, 01.30am. , Monday 18 September 2006 & www.Thaisnews.com { Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied, but please give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket}

[El Taco Loco]

Yesterday Tesco had one guy check with mirror under the car, no hood/boot check.

Today Central has one guy checking the trunk/boot of cars. I feel much safer now! ;-)

[Charma]

vehicles entering the island are being thoroughly checked, especially the suspicious ones.

About time they started checking the suspicious ones!

[thaigerd]

Yesterday Tesco had one guy check with mirror under the car, no hood/boot check.

Today Central has one guy checking the trunk/boot of cars. I feel much safer now! ;-)

Same same happened to me couple of minutes ago at CENTRAL, whe they go any stricter we have to take off our trousers soon.

Gerd

[slackula]

Today until the 21st September, the Phuket police is joining hands with the US Embassy in Thailand to hold a training workshop on handling explosives to enhance the officers skills in countering terrorists.

Well, I certainly feel all warm and fuzzy now that I read this It is sooo reassuring to know that President George W. Chimpy McFlightsuit's boys are helping to protect us. Perhaps Haliburton and Fred Phelps will set up an international friendship centre on Sarasin Bridge?

As a side thought, wouldn't a workshop on detection perhaps be a tad more useful? Or is that covered? And wouldn't all these altruistic and benevolent gestures of US internationalism be just a wee bit more useful say, erm, Had Yai?

[Kimera]

Today until the 21st September, the Phuket police is joining hands with the US Embassy in Thailand to hold a training workshop on handling explosives to enhance the officers skills in countering terrorists.

Well, I certainly feel all warm and fuzzy now that I read this It is sooo reassuring to know that President George W. Chimpy McFlightsuit's boys are helping to protect us. Perhaps Haliburton and Fred Phelps will set up an international friendship centre on Sarasin Bridge?

As a side thought, wouldn't a workshop on detection perhaps be a tad more useful? Or is that covered? And wouldn't all these altruistic and benevolent gestures of US internationalism be just a wee bit more useful say, erm, Had Yai?

Yes i'm reasured now but I.m sure it will all get better now Singapore will take over Phuket And the Sarasin Bridge, well there will be a international border control there. Security and Visa 's could get easy?? or not!

[khall64au]

SURPRISE!!!! A military coup... who would have imagined?

Am actually shocked that I have not had one single alarmist SMS or email from anybody in my home country over these 2 incidents. I guess the world is becoming used to Thailand's frequent bad news headlines?

[khall64au]

Had some emails from Oz newspapers wondering about the situation here... what can I tell them? Dancing on the streets? Not quite... but well sums it up!

[britmaveric]

Had some emails from Oz newspapers wondering about the situation here... what can I tell them? Dancing on the streets? Not quite... but well sums it up!

Not up North... quite the opposite.

[donna]

funny thing is i was thinking of those silly t-shirts.

now they are gonna have to recall the whole lot, paint in "military coup" and put them back on the racks for sale.