Police spokesman confirms Bangkok bombings are not act of terrorism

[webfact]

Police spokesman confirms bombings are not act of terrorism



BANGKOK: -- The police spokesman told members of the diplomatic corp and international organizations in Thailand that the bombings at Erawan Shrine and Sathon pier on August 17-18 were definitely not acts of terrorism.

The spokesman, Pol Lt-Gen Prawuth Thavornsiri gave a briefing to update 56 members of the diplomatic corp and representatives of international orgnaisations about the progress in the police investigation into the two bombings.

He also told the envoys that the suspects held in custody of the Malaysian police under suspicion of involvement in the bombing incidents were not involved in the incidents.

He said that the two bombing incidents were not acts of terrorism but was just a vengeful attack. He didn’t elaborate.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-spokesman-confirms-bombings-are-not-act-of-terrorism


-- Thai PBS 2015-09-24

[steffi]

Too worried with what being associated to terrorism means to Thailand's tourism industry to not understand innocent people died in the attack.

[jaywalker]

It wasn't terrorism.

Just some (allegedly) p1ssed off Uighurs that decided to maim and kill innocent folks.

Definitely NOT terrorism though.

I wonder if they did a survey.

Were you terrified when the bomb went off?

Nah. Not me. I wasn't terrified = it wasn't terrorism.

Edited September 23, 2015 by jaywalker

[NongKhaiKid]

I can imagine the diplomatic cables sent back to the various foreign ministries will contain some very pointed, unflattering language.

LoS seems oblivious to the ease with which they make fools of themselves.

[BSJ]

It's baffling how they can come out with absurd statements and keep a straight face at the same time!

[fireplay]

I don't understand. What is terrorism then? Libyans hijacking PanAm planes?

[doremifasol]

He didn’t even care to elaborate...............

[Somtamnication]

It was an act of love, then?

[RoboGeisha]

He also said that there is no corruption in Thailand but only unlawful service charges. He didn't elaborate either.

[terryp]

the stupidity of some people in this country never fails to stun...next some elite pleb will come out and say it was ONLY a business dispute ....you know like the bomb on Samui

[cooked]

It's the assumption that the police think that they can get away with anything they choose to say that is so annoying. Those days are GONE, sirs, at least until you start to censor internet as do China and get rid of the social media.

[terryp]

from the FBI website ..posted for the Thai Police as they obviously dont know:

"International terrorism" means activities with the following three characteristics:

• Involve violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state law;
• Appear to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
• Occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the U.S., or transcend national boundaries in terms of the means by which they are accomplished, the persons they appear intended to intimidate or coerce, or the locale in which their perpetrators operate or seek asylum.*

"Domestic terrorism" means activities with the following three characteristics:

• Involve acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state law;
• Appear intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination. or kidnapping; and
• Occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the U.S.

* FISA defines "international terrorism" in a nearly identical way, replacing "primarily" outside the U.S. with "totally" outside the U.S. 50 U.S.C. § 1801©.

https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/terrorism/terrorism-definition

Edited September 23, 2015 by terryp

[Bluespunk]

"BANGKOK: -- The police spokesman told members of the diplomatic corp and international organizations in Thailand that the bombings at Erawan Shrine and Sathon pier on August 17-18 were definitely not acts of terrorism."

Police spokesperson confirms he has no idea what he is talking about.

[Bluespunk]

"He said that the two bombing incidents were not acts of terrorism but was just a vengeful attack. He didnt elaborate."

Hard to elaborate on something you made up on the spot.

[thedivezone]

It's the assumption that the police think that they can get away with anything they choose to say that is so annoying. Those days are GONE, sirs, at least until you start to censor internet as do China and get rid of the social media.

Already done, read here : http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857869-govt-orders-great-firewall-of-thailand/

[worgeordie]

It was not terrorism either,when the Reds burnt and bombed Bangkok. unbelievable.

regards Worgeordie

[NongKhaiKid]

"He said that the two bombing incidents were not acts of terrorism but was just a vengeful attack. He didnt elaborate."

Hard to elaborate on something you made up on the spot.

Just think, there's at least one member who thinks the BIB deliberately bugger around in public as part of some specialist investigative technique.

[Laughing Gravy]

It must have been an early Chinese New Year celebration then. It got out of hand. Lets bury our heads in the sand and tell everyone what a wonderful world (Thailand) we live in. People will fall for that one. Not.

Edited September 24, 2015 by Laughing Gravy

[clockman]

Nothing must interfere with luring the tourists!

[tx22cb]

And in next week's news, a representative of Thai Govt says the Thai Govt is seeking aid from the US and EC of $100 million to combat terrorism in the kingdom. Any additional donations would be gladly accepted.

[captspectre]

It's baffling how they can come out with absurd statements and keep a straight face at the same time!

that idiotic statment from the thai police defies explanation! it must be the water!

[Tatsujin]

It's the assumption that the police think that they can get away with anything they choose to say that is so annoying. Those days are GONE, sirs, at least until you start to censor internet as do China and get rid of the social media.

Which they are already doing (hence the increase in use of VPN's here), and going further also, with the "Great Firewall of Thailand" in the works.

[Crash999]

In other news WW2 was not actually a war but a series of clashes between soldiers of varying nationalities over several years.

[GAZZPA]

What a strange thing to say. For normal people bombing a civilian area and killing innocents is an act of terrorism, especially when there is a second bomb attempt.

The only thing I can think of is that he means that there are no political demands being made. So, does he also mean its now finished? The bombers have said, ok, done what we said we would do, got our revenge now we can go back to our normal lives?

It baffles me how the Thai authorities can make such ridiculous statements before they have caught and convicted these people. Do they not realise how stupid they look to the outside world and rather then in still confidence this kind of statement actually makes you more nervous about their ability to deal with such an incident and the people guilty of the atrocities.

Thai people should get rid of this "face" issue in their lives, to me it serves no useful purpose and only makes living in the modern world more difficult. I can't think of 1 single benefit of attempting to save face at every turn. Better to be straight and honest as much as possible and deal with these issues with the right frame of mind.

For me another sad day for Thailand.

[harrycallahan]

terrorism

[ter-uh-riz-uh m]

noun

1.

the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.

Does not exclude vengeful attacks. The fact they're rounding up complicit individuals from across the wider region all of whom seem aligned with a certain ideology seems to be a big hint.

[spermwhale]

The cops have been falling all over themselves since this started by saying it's not terrorism.

Blowing up a bomb in a crowded area in a country not at war to inflict maximum damage to innocent civilians is TERRORISM.

Do they think they diplomats are a bunch of first graders?

When they say stupid crap like this, don't they realize they look like complete idiots?

[Sadana2558]

In general, IMHO they would not call this an act of terrorisme as to give victims and or their relatives the chance to collect help and financial pay outs from their insurance companies as where with a act of terrorism most would not give any compensation as it it is widely known as an exclusion.

[Dibbler]

So why don't they order the extradition and have him brought to justice. This indecision makes them look like fools.

[MobileContent]

I guess the Bali bombings were part of the Balinese New Year celebrations.

Jokes aside, for me the bombing was an act of terrorism but it might conflict with tourism.

[realenglish1]

Say it isn't So ?????

Typical Keystone Cops Not professional at all Just a joke