Experts look for powder traces, ball bearings at site of Bangkok bombing

[webfact]

BANGKOK BLAST
Experts look for powder traces, ball bearings at site of bombing
Pensri Gaden,
Nitis Nacharoen
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- AUTHORITIES are still waiting for lab-test results before confirming the type of bomb that was used to stage the bloody attack in Bangkok on Monday.

Tests can identify the type of gunpowder from soot found on victims' clothes and tissue," an informed source said yesterday, "From there, we will be able to trace precursor materials of the bomb".

The government has now described Monday's bomb blast as the worst ever attack on Thai soil.

Hitting the world-famous Erawan Shrine at the Ratchaprasong Intersection, the explosion killed at least 20 victims and injured more than 100 others.

After the explosion, authorities closed traffic around the intersection until yesterday afternoon as officials scoured for evidence. Found at the scene were some 0.6-mm ball bearings.

The same source said there was a high possibility that the bomb in the Monday's attack was TNT.

"It's inflammable, highly destructive and yellow," it added.

National Police Commissioner Pol General Somyot Poompanmuang said the bomb had complete combustion, and left hardly any trace at the crime scene.

"That's why it took time for the explosives ordnance disposal team to collect evidence," Somyot said.

Pol General Jarumporn Suramanee, an adviser to the national police chief, yesterday inspected the blast scene himself.

Also at the shrine yesterday was Supanee Wattanawijarn, treasurer of the Than Tao Mahaprom Foundation Erawan Hotel. Her foundation takes care of the Erawan Shrine, where Than Tao Mahaprom (the sacred Brahma statue) is enshrined.

Deputy National Police Commissioner Pol General Ruangsak Jritake accompanied Supanee as they examined the sacred statue together.

"The blast has caused some damage to the statue's chin and right arm," he said.

Supanee said the repairs would be done by the Office of Traditional Arts, using plaster and gold ornaments.

"During the repair, people are still welcome to the shrine," she said, adding that security measures around the shrine would be increased.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Experts-look-for-powder-traces-ball-bearings-at-si-30266923.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-19

[BSJ]

"Found at the scene were some 0.6-mm ball bearings." 0.6mm ball bearings can't be sourced at your local Thai Watsadu...in fact your local engineering shop would have to order them for you. If the bomb was made in Thailand it shouldn't be to hard to find the company that supplied the ball bearings.

[malathione]

"Found at the scene were some 0.6-mm ball bearings." 0.6mm ball bearings can't be sourced at your local Thai Watsadu...in fact your local engineering shop would have to order them for you. If the bomb was made in Thailand it shouldn't be to hard to find the company that supplied the ball bearings.

I assume they meant 6 mm as .6 mm is too small for a ball bearing. 6 mm is a common diameter and used in bb guns/airsoft guns and is widely available in bulk.

[petedk]

I noticed that yesterday morning the cleaners were washing everything away.

Surely the forensics needed more time to comb the area of the blast. There may have been small fragments of the bomb container that were difficult to find because it was night time.

Anyway, let's hope the gunpowder gives them some clues

[Pattaya28]

Sight contaminated as soon as humanly possible. Nothing new.

[h90]

"Found at the scene were some 0.6-mm ball bearings."

if the ball bearing is 0.6 mm how small are the balls?

I think the sentence should be: Found at the scene were some 0.6-cm ball bearing balls.

6mm balls

[kerrysum]

I noticed that yesterday morning the cleaners were washing everything away.

Surely the forensics needed more time to comb the area of the blast. There may have been small fragments of the bomb container that were difficult to find because it was night time.

Anyway, let's hope the gunpowder gives them some clues

Kind of dumb isn't it? Maybe like shooting yourself in the foot.....

[Oziex1]

"the explosion killed at least 20 victims"

I take it they do actually know the death toll, although every media outlet has a different figure.

[jamie2009]

They should have brought in some experts from abroad who have more experience with this type of thing but as was said too late as they have 'hosed' the site down.

[MockingJay]

What about that third (or 2nd - total confusion isn't it?) device that did not go off? They should get nice bits and pieces off of that one, perhaps even some partial prints on those steel pellets? How about the ignition - was it done by phone (phone records of the second of impact) or with a timer? What about that electrical switchboard they claimed that was found on the scene? More and more details "disappear", what for Pete's sake is going on???

Also, I did not see any attempts being made in following that guy via CCTV footage. There are millions of cameras all over Bangkok - so it must be possible to follow him for a few kilometers or so until he either takes a cab or the skytrain. I mean, I lost my confidence in any Thai crime investigation being done thoroughly after the Koh Tao cockup, but now we have 20 or so dead and then there are reports of "cleaners" washing any stains off instead of having that whole scene sealed off in a 3k radius... Man, seems that anyone can get away with murder in this should I say "developing country simulation" called Thailand

Edited August 19, 2015 by MockingJay

[Soutpeel]

"Found at the scene were some 0.6-mm ball bearings."

if the ball bearing is 0.6 mm how small are the balls?

I think the sentence should be: Found at the scene were some 0.6-cm ball bearing balls.

6mm balls

Lest put it this way the smallest shot in a shot gun shell if

memory serves is 1.5mm

0.6mm ball bearings are tiny I think this is a mistranslation its suppose to be 6 mm

Edited August 19, 2015 by Soutpeel

[IAMHERE]

They should have brought in some experts from abroad who have more experience with this type of thing but as was said too late as they have 'hosed' the site down.

Perhaps would have if Work Permits were easier to obtain.

[MockingJay]

Anyone noticed on this video? The guy in the red shirt, similar skinny statue as the bomber, almost jumps off his seat to make way for the bomber? Have a look: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a40_1439889529

Looks like he was making sure there is a place for the bomber to sit. Both are fiddling with their smart phones at the same time. Red shirt walks off quickly after standing up. A connection?

Edited August 19, 2015 by MockingJay

[Oziex1]

What about that third (or 2nd - total confusion isn't it?) device that did not go off? They should get nice bits and pieces off of that one, perhaps even some partial prints on those steel pellets? How about the ignition - was it done by phone (phone records of the second of impact) or with a timer? What about that electrical switchboard they claimed that was found on the scene? More and more details "disappear", what for Pete's sake is going on???

Also, I did not see any attempts being made in following that guy via CCTV footage. There are millions of cameras all over Bangkok - so it must be possible to follow him for a few kilometers or so until he either takes a cab or the skytrain. I mean, I lost my confidence in any Thai crime investigation being done thoroughly after the Koh Tao cockup, but now we have 20 or so dead and then there are reports of "cleaners" washing any stains off instead of having that whole scene sealed off in a 3k radius... Man, seems that anyone can get away with murder in this should I say "developing country simulation" called Thailand

"what for Pete's sake is going on???"

SNAFU

As I posted initially if the murderous bombing isn't bad enough the public comments from officials will have to be heard to be believed.

This is what they do, hard for us to fathom.

[Jimlove]

Sight contaminated as soon as humanly possible. Nothing new.

Just like the Koh Tao murders - nothing to see here and nobody to catch exept some innocent migrant workers ... Case closed until it happens again ...

[slapout]

s mentioned .6mm is bb or number 5 shot pellets in shotgun ammo. this size are not likely to inflict a killing wound past 30 meter from detonation point, now 6mm ball bearing can be lethel at a much greater distance and have been a favorite of bomb makers for decades.. I suspect the media reporting in their insertion of the decimel point .6mm which is bb size.

There must have been recovery of bearings from the bodies of those killed and wounded at the various hospitals they were taken to for for treatment, thus a comparision can be made. Hope they had sense enough not to throw them in the bin.

[razer]

1. I do not think a Thai political faction would desecrate a shrine. Thais take shrines and temples very seriously.

2. The suspected bomber may have been wearing a wig and fake glasses. (Speculation) but logical assumption.

3. If this was an international job, the handler of the bomber is most likely in Malaysia with accomplices in southern Thailand.

4. If this was a real know-how operation the bomber was probably on a red-eye or early morning flight out of the country.

5. To my knowledge, I may be wrong, but pipe bombs, TNT and C-4 don't make fire balls. They are flash explosives. Burning expanding gas makes fireballs.

6. Sorry to disagree but I think explosives always leave a residue. The real question is what the primary explosive was. The police forensic teams should have been looking for sample traces hours after the incident.

If this is the start of a terror campaign then I hope the Thai government requests help from outside ... people with some know-how in terrorist investigations.

[Tanlic]

Sight contaminated as soon as humanly possible. Nothing new.

Just like the Koh Tao murders - nothing to see here and nobody to catch exept some innocent migrant workers ... Case closed until it happens again ...

Can't help yourselves can you? You think you are being witty but really we've read it all before and you are coming across like a boring broken record.

They already know what the contents of the bomb were. Why would they leave debris in the streets and cause major disruption in the City?

While I am on how much does it cost to join The <deleted> Association of Thailand?

[taony]

Sight contaminated as soon as humanly possible. Nothing new.

Just like the Koh Tao murders - nothing to see here and nobody to catch exept some innocent migrant workers ... Case closed until it happens again ...

Can't help yourselves can you? You think you are being witty but really we've read it all before and you are coming across like a boring broken record.

They already know what the contents of the bomb were. Why would they leave debris in the streets and cause major disruption in the City?

While I am on how much does it cost to join The <deleted> Association of Thailand?

Completely opposite to what they should be doing. Yes, leave it there and close off the streets until you get all the information you can out of the scene.

Instead of closing all the streets yesterday until noon like they said they would, they actually only closed the intersection. When riding my bike to work, I saw all the cars driving on the road and went to the intersection as I do every day, twice a day. The intersection was closed so I had to go through the hospital parking lot to go out to Rama I road instead of making the usual left turn. When I exited I was on the outside of the barricades and there were a couple dozen people at the barricades taking photos. WE WERE ALL STANDING ON A PILE OF BROKEN GLASS!!! So not only was it dangerous, we were trampling all over evidence of a crime scene! who knows what else was in amongst the glass. In the very least its evidence about the type and intensity of the bomb. Its bloody mystifying what goes on here. I was literally in front of the national police headquarters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[arrowsdawdle]

"Worst attack ever on Thai soil?"

The parents and siblings of the 46 students massacred 6 October 1976 might dispute that, as would the loved ones of the civilians murdered and wounded under the command of Abhisit and Stuphet in May 2010. Need we say more?

[elgordo38]

I noticed that yesterday morning the cleaners were washing everything away.

Surely the forensics needed more time to comb the area of the blast. There may have been small fragments of the bomb container that were difficult to find because it was night time.

Anyway, let's hope the gunpowder gives them some clues

Tourism trumps evidence.

[Halion]

What a clown , it's inflammable , highly destructive and yellow and so is my canary. Highly doubtful that it would have been TNT, however, many military and commercial explosives are mixtures of various compounds including TNT. Blast radius and damage would indicate that it was almost certain to be a commercial grade explosive rather than the normal mixtures of inorganic nitrates. Also TNT is not yellow and furthermore when a TNT charge is detonated the major tell tale is black soot/carbon dust. Another negative as to the use of straight TNT for nefarious purpose is that it is so bloody stable and you need to use a booster charge or high order initiator in order to get it to detonate..

There should be a treasure trove of forensic evidence at ground zero so I think the current comments by so called officialdom is simply noise.

[Oziex1]

I think some of us may be misjudging what size .6 mm actually is, it is tiny. Smaller than a pin head! The size of the ball in a ball point pen. I'll go with 6 mm ball bearings

[PETERTHEEATER]

s mentioned .6mm is bb or number 5 shot pellets in shotgun ammo. this size are not likely to inflict a killing wound past 30 meter from detonation point, now 6mm ball bearing can be lethel at a much greater distance and have been a favorite of bomb makers for decades.. I suspect the media reporting in their insertion of the decimel point .6mm which is bb size.

There must have been recovery of bearings from the bodies of those killed and wounded at the various hospitals they were taken to for for treatment, thus a comparision can be made. Hope they had sense enough not to throw them in the bin.

Think again and get out your engineering rule. 0.6 mm is not BB or shotgun size it is less than one millimeter diameter. The dumbo reporter doesn't know how to write 6.0 mm (six millimeters)

The same writer has stated that the explosive was gunpwder!

[asean]

Anyone noticed on this video? The guy in the red shirt, similar skinny statue as the bomber, almost jumps off his seat to make way for the bomber? Have a look: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a40_1439889529

Looks like he was making sure there is a place for the bomber to sit. Both are fiddling with their smart phones at the same time. Red shirt walks off quickly after standing up. A connection?

well picked up ! Red shirt also hung around long enough to conceal what yellow shirt was doing.

Edited August 19, 2015 by asean

[JAG]

What a clown , it's inflammable , highly destructive and yellow and so is my canary. Highly doubtful that it would have been TNT, however, many military and commercial explosives are mixtures of various compounds including TNT. Blast radius and damage would indicate that it was almost certain to be a commercial grade explosive rather than the normal mixtures of inorganic nitrates. Also TNT is not yellow and furthermore when a TNT charge is detonated the major tell tale is black soot/carbon dust. Another negative as to the use of straight TNT for nefarious purpose is that it is so bloody stable and you need to use a booster charge or high order initiator in order to get it to detonate..

There should be a treasure trove of forensic evidence at ground zero so I think the current comments by so called officialdom is simply noise.

Even if it was yellow, I doubt if that would be the case now!

I don't know much about the forensics of investigating bomb scenes, but I spent a fair amount of time in my youth "stagging on" at cordons around bomb scenes in Northern Ireland, and I do know that the debris search has to be painstaking and can last for many hours, even days. Neither seems to be the case here.

[ddavidovsky]

Anyone noticed on this video? The guy in the red shirt, similar skinny statue as the bomber, almost jumps off his seat to make way for the bomber? Have a look: http://www.liveleak....=a40_1439889529

Looks like he was making sure there is a place for the bomber to sit. Both are fiddling with their smart phones at the same time. Red shirt walks off quickly after standing up. A connection?

Yes, it looks like he's an accomplice who chopes the seat then acts as a shield. The glance back as he leaves is significant.

The guy in the white shirt is also acting suspicious - single male just hanging around and leaving at the same time.

Edited August 19, 2015 by ddavidovsky