Bombing of an Army hospital in Bangkok tied to other blasts

[webfact]

Hospital bomb tied to other blasts
By THE NATION

 

 

25 hurt in explosion at army facility on anniversary of coup; unknown network blamed for 2 other similar attacks

 

BANGKOK: -- THE BOMBING of an Army hospital in downtown Bangkok yesterday was carried out by the same network behind blasts near the National Theatre on May 15 and the old Government Lottery Office on April 5, Army commander-in-chief General Sitthisart Chalermchai said.

 

“The three attacks including the one at Phramongkutklao Hospital used the same kind of explosives, which are pipe bombs. The same group is behind the three strikes, but I cannot say now which group it is,” he said.

 

The explosion targeted a room on the first floor of the hospital near Victory Monument in Ratchathewi district in broad daylight, injuring 25 patients waiting to have prescriptions filled. 

 

 

The attack is likely to be linked to politics, as it occurred on the third anniversary of the 2014 coup led by then-Army chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is now prime minister. 

 

The blast also occurred in the “Wongsuwan” room, named in honour of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Prayut’s right-hand man.

 

Other rooms in the vicinity are named after other high-ranking Army officers such as General Prem Tinsulandonda and General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

 

An initial investigation determined that the explosives were planted in a green vase that contained artificial flowers, which was placed on a chair in the room. As of press time, authorities did not know when the vase had been placed there and Chalermchai said they were checking hospital |security camera footage.

 

Meanwhile, the prime minister asked the public not to panic over the attack and ordered an immediate investigation, the Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

 

Prayut learnt the details of the attack from the defence minister and Army commander-in-chief. Sansern said the hospital had already sealed off the scene pending an investigation.

 

Initial confusion

 

When news about the explosion broke shortly after 10.30am, it was reported that it may have been caused by a gas leak or a faulty air-conditioner compressor. 

 

However, deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Rangsibhramanakul investigated the scene for about an hour, then said it had been caused by a bomb.

 

 

Srivara said an integrated-circuit timer, pieces of wires and a battery were found at the scene. He also condemned the assault, saying even insurgents in the far South had never bombed a hospital.

 

National Human Rights Commissioner Angkhana Neelapaijit denounced the attack, saying it was an inhumane act. She said she was truly upset that the attackers had chosen to attack a hospital.

 

“Although Phramongkutklao Hospital is an Army hospital, it treats everybody without discrimination. It does not treat only Army officers,” she said.

 

Angkhana said that if the attack was planned to mark the third anniversary of the coup, it should be regarded as an unspeakable act of terror because a hospital should not be the target of conflicts. 

 

“Even during war time, hospitals, medical personnel and innocent people are protected. 

 

“I want to condemn the attack on a medical centre that injured patients and relatives waiting for medical care. The attack on a hospital absolutely |violated international human rights laws. The attackers’ acts are considered brutal and inhumane,” she said.

 

Of the 25 people injured in the blast, eight were still in hospital yesterday, one in serious condition, according to the Army Medical Department. 

 

 

The explosion caused minor injuries to many people, said department chief Lt-General Saroj Keokajee, but he added that most of the injured had been discharged. 

 

One woman would need surgery to remove shrapnel from her face, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30315998

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-05-23

[spidermike007]

Protest is one thing. Bombing a hospital is beyond the pale. One never picks on the sick or infirm. Bad, bad decision.

[BlindMagician]

Counter revolution of people. Too opportunistic perhaps....

 

...if you see what I mean.

 

Awful bombing.

Edited May 23, 2017 by BlindMagician
Blah

[little mary sunshine]

Bombing  a hospital is not a protest ; it's just

disguesting and counterproductive to any

protest movement 

[wvavin]

Revenge should be at government buildings and not hospital!

[YetAnother]

making the quiet north looking better and better 

[rkidlad]

BANGKOK: -- THE BOMBING of an Army hospital in downtown Bangkok yesterday was carried out by the same network behind blasts near the National Theatre on May 15 and the old Government Lottery Office on April 5, Army commander-in-chief General Sitthisart Chalermchai said.

 

So when that top cop said they denied it was a bomb at the theatre to confuse the bombers, how did it confuse them exactly?

[phantomfiddler]

Bombing a hospital ? Good grief, that would be enough to make one see red !

[NextStationBangkok]

Swadee Krup!

 

"Nothing happened in Thailand."

 

Let us call this press meet is over. Khapkun Krup!

[robblok]

The junta might be bad.. but those behind the bombs and supporting them are even lower. As others have remarked you just don't bomb hospitals. 

[williamgeorgeallen]

glad the army is in control. imagine how unsafe the country would be if it was being run by politicians.

[hotchilli]

I'm sure they have another "cunning plan" to catch the elusive bombers, last time it was to deny it was a bomb but tell the public at large it was a falling light fixture, so maybe the bombers get complacent and try again, well they did, and succeeded again!

Maybe with the public a little better informed ie " tell them the truth" then maybe a few more alert eyes would help the situation instead of denying there is an issue so the gullible public carry on as if all is normal!

Policing at it's finest.. NOT !

[TheFishman1]

Doesn't matter what side of the fence your on Bombing a hospital is Sick TIT

[free123]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Protest is one thing. Bombing a hospital is beyond the pale. One never picks on the sick or infirm. Bad, bad decision.

I do Not agree... in Syria this is business as usual...another favorites are schools or nurseryd....and it's all done by usa Russia etc...completely by accident naturally...who complains ??? nobody near or far...

[Bob12345]

40 minutes ago, williamgeorgeallen said:

glad the army is in control. imagine how unsafe the country would be if it was being run by politicians.

Maybe a lot safer as political protests could be fought out in parliament and at elections.

 

Currently nobody has any say unless you are an army general.

Takes away the people's voice and they might resort to violence.

[soalbundy]

ten a penny in Europe.

[stephen tracy]

In situations such as this one needs to reflect on who stands to benefit from such an act. 

[robblok]

Just now, stephen tracy said:

In situations such as this one needs to reflect on who stands to benefit from such an act. 

 

Yes we should.. this benefits the PTP as now they can claim that even the claimed security of the army is not real. So yes could say this is done by the PTP... or perhaps you want to say the army benefits and its a false flag because now they can stay in power longer (. You can argue this any way you like and without proof we can't say either way who did it. We can only say that those who did are cowards and lower then the low. 

[soalbundy]

1 minute ago, stephen tracy said:

In situations such as this one needs to reflect on who stands to benefit from such an act. 

Nobody can benefit from a bombing, even state sanctioned bombing by aircraft brings no happy end.

[Chris Lawrence]

No way would I condone bombs of any kind; these guys targeted the army hospital, the intent was to target army or ex-army personal. May be the revolution is on its way?

[Tofer]

What do they hope to achieve if they don't even declare their hand, as the police report still has nobody and no protest recognised for the act. Simply despicable, inhuman cowardly copycat animals, without a brain cell between them.

[maximillian]

1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

Nobody can benefit from a bombing, even state sanctioned bombing by aircraft brings no happy end.

 

No happy end but billions on profit.

[Becker]

1 hour ago, robblok said:

 

Yes we should.. this benefits the PTP as now they can claim that even the claimed security of the army is not real. So yes could say this is done by the PTP... or perhaps you want to say the army benefits and its a false flag because now they can stay in power longer (. You can argue this any way you like and without proof we can't say either way who did it. We can only say that those who did are cowards and lower then the low. 

Needless to say this is a cowardly and despicable act, whoever the culprit. I do however disagree that this benefits the PTP (or any other group). Bombing a hospital to make a point does not help anybody's cause - period.

[robblok]

23 minutes ago, Becker said:

Needless to say this is a cowardly and despicable act, whoever the culprit. I do however disagree that this benefits the PTP (or any other group). Bombing a hospital to make a point does not help anybody's cause - period.

Maybe in your mind it does not help anyone.. and I tend to agree.. but there are those that see it different. It could be used as an excuse for both sides. 

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The attack on a hospital absolutely |violated international human rights laws.

There's more to such a declaration:

"Hospitals, medical units and medical personnel are protected under international humanitarian law, and they should not be targeted or used for military purposes at any time,"  - the UN Human Rights Office for South-East Asia.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/aec/30281723

Mixing military activities with civilian activities essentially makes civilians a potential human shield, whether they're aware of it or not.

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

even insurgents in the far South had never bombed a hospital.

But insurgents did attack and occupy the civilian Cho Ai Rong Hospital in Narathiwat province last year. Using the hospital as cover, they then attacked the nearby army outpost.

[cashlamb99]

Solution, no cost war, 50 per cent  income war tax monthly for all south Muslims.first go to the banks with the army and reduce their savings accounts by 50 per cent. Muslims want War  then  they should pay for it. 50,000 Muslims know who the terrorists are, family,friends, neighbors and relatives.ect  ect more to come !!!!!, any ideas ???    stop the war in 6 to 12 months   

 

[puffy]

It is clear from this bombing that there is still people in Thailand who wish to destabilize it.

There is obviously a need now for the Army to stay in control until this sort of thing stops.

It was very lucky that nobody was killed at this Army hospital.

[stephen tracy]

3 hours ago, Chris Lawrence said:

No way would I condone bombs of any kind; these guys targeted the army hospital, the intent was to target army or ex-army personal. May be the revolution is on its way?

The "intent" might be a little murkier than you suppose.  There's only one group of people that stand to benefit from this.  Reminds me of Erawan.  Despicable, but not without amole historical precedent.

[sujoop]

3 hours ago, Tofer said:

What do they hope to achieve if they don't even declare their hand, as the police report still has nobody and no protest recognised for the act. Simply despicable, inhuman cowardly copycat animals, without a brain cell between them.

The General is likely well aware yet another crude negotiation appears to be underway. Always seems to step up when someone's ill gotten assets are about to be confiscated....

[stephen tracy]

3 minutes ago, sujoop said:

So, despite elections have already been pushed back, you surmise the Army suddenly decides to bomb their own hospital to  'justify their grip on power'?  Methinks the real answer is blowing in the desert wind and as family asset confiscations loom again, it's  bombing season once again. This is just a crude warning tactic, same since 2006, no matter the disguises.

With all due respect, as you are thoughtful poster with something to add, nonsense.  The Thaksin/Red-Shirt mob had nothing to gain from this apart from (further) vilification.  People being lied to on a daily basis regarding elections is creating tension, and so the the people needed to me reminded as to why they are safe under the current "government". There's only one party/entity that could possibly gain from this.  No one else stands to gain.