Redshirt leaders doubt alleged bombing link

[webfact]

Redshirt Leaders Doubt Alleged Bombing Link
By Khaosod English


Bangkok metro police chief Sriwarah Rangsipramnakul claps as deputy police chief Chakthip Chaijinda receives a 3 million-baht cash reward from police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang for 'solving' the Erawan Shrine bombing case yesterday at a news conference in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Top Redshirt activists have urged the national police commander to be careful with allegations a radical Redshirt had a role in engineering the bomb attack that killed 20 people in Bangkok last month.

Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, or UDD, today challenged yesterday’s account by Royal Thai Police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang that a Redshirt supporter aided the bombing conspirators by purchasing food and bomb components for them.

Writing on Facebook, Jatuporn said Somyot used the man to unfairly link the Erawan Shrine bombing to the Redshirts by claiming Yongyuth belonged to a radical faction involved in previous bomb incidents in Bangkok’s outskirts. He also questioned whether Yongyuth actually exists.

Jatuporn said he was unaware of Yongyuth and questioned a claim by Somyot that Yongyuth did not carry a national ID card, despite police officials claiming he’d been convicted by a court and given a one-year suspended jail sentence for a role in a 2010 bombing that killed four people.

“How can he be a Thai person who has no national ID number? It’s impossible,” Jatuporn wrote. “But since police are trying to bend it into a politically-motivated incident, I’d like to condemn any political groups or parties that conspired to stage this bomb attack. They are inhuman. Nevertheless, I am still curious what would any political group gain from doing this? It doesn’t make sense.”

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1443533754&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2015-09-30

[webfact]

ERAWAN BOMB BLAST
Red-shirt anger over political link to blast
THE NATION


File Photo

Police chief tones down claim after criticism; lawyer doubt

BANGKOK: -- A CONCLUSION reached by police concerning the prime suspect in the deadly Erawan Shrine blast and the implication that domestic political conflicts may have been behind the attack were vehemently questioned yesterday, while the country's police chief seemed to back off from the latter assertion.

Two core red-shirt leaders, Nuttawut Saikuar and Worachai Hema lashed out at national police chief Pol General Somyot Poompanmuang's statement that pointed the finger at a Thai suspect, Yongyut Pobkaew, who is believed to be linked to the red-shirt movement.

Somyot alleged at a press conference on Monday that Yongyut - also known as Aod Payungwong, one of 17 suspects wanted in connection with the August 17 explosion at the shrine - was involved in explosions when demonstrators protested in 2010 against the Abhisit government, and last year against Yingluck's administration.

"I want to call for the national police chief to tell the truth to the public. I don't know Mr Aod but his name suddenly popped up out of nowhere. No one said how he got involved in the case. The public also wonders how can Mr Aod who was under several arrest warrants has no history or even a 13-digit identity card," Nuttawut said.

The former Pheu Thai MP criticised Somyot for voicing what those in power want him to say. He said police should consider what would happen to Thailand if they evaluate the situation; and if the problem was not solved, no one could guarantee it would not happen again.

Somyot should be more careful when speaking as the reds did not want problems with police. However, he said if the direction of the case went like this, the reds would certainly be affected.

Worachai Hema said: "The red-shirt movement has nothing to do with the deadly blast, contrary to what the national police chief has tried to say. I do not understand why the police chief tried to link the reds to the attack. Maybe he was trying to say something in line with this government's repeated claim that politics is behind the attack."

He did not know who "Mr Aod" was. "It is not possible that politics is behind the blast."

Somyot said on Monday: "We can not rule out political motives, because Aod was also involved."

Worachai said all political groups - whether red or yellow - and the military were Thais and would not do anything aimed at taking people's lives.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for Bilal Mohammed, the prime suspect in the shrine blast, yesterday remained adamant that his client was just a job-seeker hoping to find work in Malaysia.

Chuchart Khanphai also expressed doubt about the police chief's conclusion that Bilal was the bomber - known as the "yellow-shirt suspect" - captured on security-camera footage entering the shrine with a backpack, but leaving without it minutes before the deadly explosion on August 17.

Bilal was the first suspect arrested in connection with the bombing, when he was taken from a flat in Bangkok on August 29, but it was only on Monday that police claimed he was the man in the yellow shirt.

Based on security-camera footage, police claimed he had changed from wearing a yellow T-shirt to a grey T-shirt in a restroom in Lumpini Park during his escape after the explosion. Police also claimed on Monday that a grey T-shirt had been found in Bilal's room.

But Chuchart said a grey shirt had not previously been mentioned in the list of items found in the room.

"I will have an opportunity to talk with my client today at 8.30am about the case and if he really confessed to police, I want to know why and how," he said.

Somyot, yesterday, looked to back off from his claim that a political motive may have been behind the attack, saying that the motive would remain unclear until Aod was arrested.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Red-shirt-anger-over-political-link-to-blast-30269840.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-30

[jaidam]

Any truth to the rumor this guy wearing the yellow shirt is mentally retarded? Only my opinion, but somebody with the mental age of a child could probably not be the mastermind of a terror cell, although I am prepared to defer to the well paid expertise of Khun Chakthip.

[Somtamnication]

That fat cop on the left is really salivating over that money!

[JAG]

That fat cop on the left is really salivating over that money!

Yes, a photograph which sums up the motivation, shameless self-serving greed and utter lack of sense of duty of the commanders of the police. A brilliant picture. - says a thousand words.

[NongKhaiKid]

That fat cop on the left is really salivating over that money!

Yes, a photograph which sums up the motivation, shameless self-serving greed and utter lack of sense of duty of the commanders of the police. A brilliant picture. - says a thousand words.

If the PM has any genuine leadership skills he should, even if it's in private, be telling these people to cut it out as they are making even bigger fools of themselves and the BIB than usual and it does reflect on the country.

He was worried enough about anti-coup protesters in New York that he felt obliged to tell them not to damage the country's image.

Personally I have not seen any photos of the NYC protesters but news of the BIB being given cash rewards went around the world, so which reflected most on the country's image ?

[NongKhaiKid]

That fat cop on the left is really salivating over that money!

Yes, a photograph which sums up the motivation, shameless self-serving greed and utter lack of sense of duty of the commanders of the police. A brilliant picture. - says a thousand words.

If the PM has any genuine leadership skills he should, even if it's in private, be telling these people to cut it out as they are making even bigger fools of themselves and the BIB than usual and it does reflect on the country.

He was worried enough about anti-coup protesters in New York that he felt obliged to tell them not to damage the country's image.

Personally I have not seen any photos of the NYC protesters but news of the BIB being given cash rewards went around the world, so which reflected most on the country's image ?

[Oziex1]

Any truth to the rumor this guy wearing the yellow shirt is mentally retarded? Only my opinion, but somebody with the mental age of a child could probably not be the mastermind of a terror cell, although I am prepared to defer to the well paid expertise of Khun Chakthip.

May be , but there is no rumor or doubt as to the mental health of the men in the brown uniforms, Tourettes syndrome always shooting off at the mouth and OCD as they reach out for the money.

[chrisinth]

Back where i came from, i knew people linked to illegal outlawed terrorist organizations, a lot of them. They supported a host of football teams, but that didn't make any of those teams responsible for their actions.

It works on the political side as well, because they voted for particular parties in the elections, doesn't mean that those parties are responsible for the actions of an individual.

Unless there is positive proof that "Odd" received instructions, it is an extremely dangerous comment for the police to make, IMO.

Still, with this ludicrous "Pay to Solve" policy they have, the more unconfirmed hypothetical statements the better, eh?

BTW, i have no horse in the Redshirt/Yellowshirt race, it is just an example of unfounded linking to bring a political angle to the table.

Edited September 30, 2015 by chrisinth

[halloween]

Both Jatuporn and Nuttawut deny that Aod was involved in the red shirt bombings of 2010 and 2014 because he is not known to them. Which leads to the logical conclusion that they know all the people involved in those events.

But why assume that links the bombing to local politics? Most of those red shirts arrested for bombings claim they were paid to carry out their actions. If some mercenary A-hole is prepared to make and/or set off bombs for one group, what's to say he won't do the same for another offering the same folding incentives.

[MZurf]

That fat cop on the left is really salivating over that money!

It's like he's thinking;

Ah, time for tea(money).

[MZurf]

Both Jatuporn and Nuttawut deny that Aod was involved in the red shirt bombings of 2010 and 2014 because he is not known to them. Which leads to the logical conclusion that they know all the people involved in those events.

But why assume that links the bombing to local politics? Most of those red shirts arrested for bombings claim they were paid to carry out their actions. If some mercenary A-hole is prepared to make and/or set off bombs for one group, what's to say he won't do the same for another offering the same folding incentives.

"Both Jatuporn and Nuttawut deny that Aod was involved in the red shirt bombings of 2010 and 2014 because he is not known to them."

Where in the article is that stated?

[rubl]

"Worachai said all political groups - whether red or yellow - and the military were Thais and would not do anything aimed at taking people's lives."

Thailand being the safest country on Earth if it wasn't for all those foreigners ?

[PilotEd]

I was waiting for this to happen.

Have to figure some way to tie the red shirts to this even if they have to make it up.

As is noted in the article, how can someone previously convicted of a crime not own an ID card? (note that I said 'own' not 'carry'.)

As with all juntas, they get more paranoid by the day.

[MZurf]

I was waiting for this to happen.

Have to figure some way to tie the red shirts to this even if they have to make it up.

As is noted in the article, how can someone previously convicted of a crime not own an ID card? (note that I said 'own' not 'carry'.)

As with all juntas, they get more paranoid by the day.

In the Bangkok Post the DSI is quoted as saying they see no connection so likely this is another statement from the RTP that one should read with not a small dose of skepticism.

[rubl]

I was waiting for this to happen.

Have to figure some way to tie the red shirts to this even if they have to make it up.

As is noted in the article, how can someone previously convicted of a crime not own an ID card? (note that I said 'own' not 'carry'.)

As with all juntas, they get more paranoid by the day.

The topic "UDD suspects police chief may have ulterior motives ..."

has k. Worachai, a core UDD leader saying "he didn’t know who Mr Ord was. But he insisted that the Erawan Shrine and Sathon pier bombings were linked with the trafficking of Uighur immigrants.""

Since he 'insists' the core UDD leader suggests he knows more. Maybe just trying to muddle the waters?

[chuang]

oh mr policeman please get us a break....

[klauskunkel]

I’d like to condemn any political groups or parties that conspired to stage this bomb attack. They are inhuman.

...said Jatuporn.

(Disclaimer: This sentiment is only valid for the Erewan Bomb Attack this year, other bomb attacks are exempt)

[Rimmer]

A way over the top derogatory post and jpg has been removed

[zaphod reborn]

Let's just celebrate that this is Somyot's last day in office. He is an embarrassment even for the RTP, although he certainly knew how to make the RTP a profit center for him and his underlings. Enjoy retirement in Poipet at the casinos. May only bad luck come to you at the card tables.

[billd766]

Both Jatuporn and Nuttawut deny that Aod was involved in the red shirt bombings of 2010 and 2014 because he is not known to them. Which leads to the logical conclusion that they know all the people involved in those events.

But why assume that links the bombing to local politics? Most of those red shirts arrested for bombings claim they were paid to carry out their actions. If some mercenary A-hole is prepared to make and/or set off bombs for one group, what's to say he won't do the same for another offering the same folding incentives.

"Both Jatuporn and Nuttawut deny that Aod was involved in the red shirt bombings of 2010 and 2014 because he is not known to them."

Where in the article is that stated?

It was in the other newspaper that we cannot mention.

[billd766]

IMHO it is nothing to do with the UDD/RedShirts at all. Just another daily fairy tale from the RTP.

Tomorrow it will be something/somebody else.

[than]

" I’d like to condemn any political groups or parties that conspired to stage this bomb attack. They are inhuman. Nevertheless, I am still curious what would any political group gain from doing this? It doesn’t make sense.”

Ok Mr Jatuporn, you can begin to condemn yourself for the crime of black shirt militia and other red shirt group how kill children !

[DavisH]

That fat cop on the left is really salivating over that money!

Yes, a photograph which sums up the motivation, shameless self-serving greed and utter lack of sense of duty of the commanders of the police. A brilliant picture. - says a thousand words.

If the PM has any genuine leadership skills he should, even if it's in private, be telling these people to cut it out as they are making even bigger fools of themselves and the BIB than usual and it does reflect on the country.

He was worried enough about anti-coup protesters in New York that he felt obliged to tell them not to damage the country's image.

Personally I have not seen any photos of the NYC protesters but news of the BIB being given cash rewards went around the world, so which reflected most on the country's image ?

Thai police have no shame. I honestly think they don't care what the outside world thinks. They are special.

They will only care if they lose their rice and tourist industry, thus billions of baht in income each year. With the rosy picture that the tourist authority provide, there is no need to care what any outsider thinks.

[scorecard]

Any truth to the rumor this guy wearing the yellow shirt is mentally retarded? Only my opinion, but somebody with the mental age of a child could probably not be the mastermind of a terror cell, although I am prepared to defer to the well paid expertise of Khun Chakthip.

Seems to me that now have a pool of some 17 people but not much more.

[scorecard]

That fat cop on the left is really salivating over that money!

Yes, a photograph which sums up the motivation, shameless self-serving greed and utter lack of sense of duty of the commanders of the police. A brilliant picture. - says a thousand words.

If the PM has any genuine leadership skills he should, even if it's in private, be telling these people to cut it out as they are making even bigger fools of themselves and the BIB than usual and it does reflect on the country.

He was worried enough about anti-coup protesters in New York that he felt obliged to tell them not to damage the country's image.

Personally I have not seen any photos of the NYC protesters but news of the BIB being given cash rewards went around the world, so which reflected most on the country's image ?

Thai police have no shame. I honestly think they don't care what the outside world thinks. They are special.

They will only care if they lose their rice and tourist industry, thus billions of baht in income each year. With the rosy picture that the tourist authority provide, there is no need to care what any outsider thinks.

Another good reason why the RTP needs to be closed down, redesigned in every way and rebuilt with a range of different approaches, management processes and new behaviors and attitudes.

Including their recruitment processes and their processes to select people for promotion, and all subject to external checks by the auditor generals dept., or similar.

[Alwyn]

Seem familiar?

[stoffel45]

Interesting, that the 'Red Shirt' movement is furious at "inuendo" directed at the Shinawatra movement - when nobody has suggested that Thaksin or his Red Shirt movement is involved.

Is it possible that they are protesting because they know they are involved?

[Thai at Heart]

Yeah. Red shirts are on first name terms with Uighur separatists....... The most pathetic attempt to wish away a terrorism link and blame domestic issues ever attempted.

[halloween]

Both Jatuporn and Nuttawut deny that Aod was involved in the red shirt bombings of 2010 and 2014 because he is not known to them. Which leads to the logical conclusion that they know all the people involved in those events.

But why assume that links the bombing to local politics? Most of those red shirts arrested for bombings claim they were paid to carry out their actions. If some mercenary A-hole is prepared to make and/or set off bombs for one group, what's to say he won't do the same for another offering the same folding incentives.

"Both Jatuporn and Nuttawut deny that Aod was involved in the red shirt bombings of 2010 and 2014 because he is not known to them."

Where in the article is that stated?

Well if you read the OPs, that would be quite obvious. Too much to expect?

"Jatuporn said he was unaware of Yongyuth..........."

"I don't know Mr Aod..........." Nuttawut said.