Political ‘extremist’ group blamed for hospital blast

[webfact]

Political 'extremist' group blamed for hospital blast

By THE NATION

 

File Photo

 

Police trying to identify 20 suspects caught on security cameras; prawit says perpetrators are ‘people close to us’

 

BANGKOK: -- INVESTIGATORS are convinced that political hardliners were behind Monday’s bombing at Phramongkutklao Hospital and the perpetrators are still in the country, national police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said yesterday.

 

“The investigation has progressed a lot. Police believe this incident was carried out by a political group bent on violence. They are extremists,” Chakthip said.

 

He added that 61 out of more than 80 witnesses had been questioned by investigators and at least five provided “very useful” information.

 

Meanwhile, Army commander-in-chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart yesterday said hardline red-shirt leader Wuthipong “Ko Tee” Kotchathammakhun could be involved in the attack.

 

 He added that Wuthipong, who has been in exile in Laos, often campaigned for violent causes through social media. 

 

“Ko Tee is just one of the suspects,” said the Army chief, in his capacity as secretary-general of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

 

But he declined to confirm speculation that pro-red shirt military officers were involved in planting the explosive device at the military-run hospital.

 

Police have come up with 20 suspects in the hospital blast after studying recordings from 17 security cameras at the scene, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

 

Metropolitan Police investigators were attempting to identify the suspects whose images were recorded on different security cameras inside the hospital, the source said yesterday. The investigative team was allowed access by the military to the hospital’s security-camera data centre almost 30 hours after the explosion, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

 

Police investigators determined that none of the cameras recorded when the vase containing the explosive was placed inside the room because the vase’s location was not covered by the single camera in the room, the source said.

 

Chakthip yesterday chaired a meeting of more than 200 police officers tasked with investigating the blast. 

 

The meeting, held at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, lasted about 90 minutes.

 

Speaking after the meeting, the national police chief said he had ordered heightened police security at significant landmarks and symbolic locations, as well as at popular tourist destinations.

 

Police officers had also been sent to different hospitals in Bangkok to train personnel on how to improve their security measures, according to Chakthip. 

 

He added that security had been heightened at Police General Hospital and many Special Branch officers had been dispatched to the police-run hospital to boost its security.

 

The national police chief has appointed his deputy, Pol General Srivara Rangsibhramanakul, to head the investigation into the hospital attack.

 

Following the order, 201 police investigators were assigned to join the investigation. 

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that the explosion at the hospital was the work of “some people close to us”. He did not elaborate when |speaking to a reporter over the |telephone.

 

Prawit ruled out the possibility that insurgents from the southern border region were responsible for the incident, which left more than 20 people injured.

 

“There’s still no conclusion. But in fact, it’s none other than some people close to us,” he said.

 

In a related development, the junta is considering a revival of its order that empowers a military court to try security-related cases, following the explosions in |the capital, Chalermchai said |yesterday.

 

Chalermchai added that officials working on security matters suggested reviving NCPO Order 50/2557 following recent violent incidents.

 

“Let me stress that it’s in the process of discussion only. There has been no specific policy or order regarding this matter,” he said.

 

The NCPO order in question, issued just a week after the May 2014 coup, placed cases relating to firearms and explosives within the jurisdiction of military courts. It was rescinded by another NCPO order in September last year.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30316333

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-05-26

[Raymonddiaz]

conclusion: The people who did it are close to the men in uniform.

[rkidlad]

Oh, please no. Don't start giving stats like "the investigation is 92.5% complete"

 

I remember that nonsense from last time they didn't have a clue. 

[than]

50 minutes ago, Raymonddiaz said:

conclusion: The people who did it are close to the men in uniform.

"Anthony Davis dismissed speculation the bombing resulted from army factionalism turned violent. He said internal conflict within the armed forces has winded down since a new army chief not aligned with Prayuth’s faction was appointed in October."

Anthony Davis, security consultant for IHS-Jane’s  Khaosod English 2017, May 25

[mtls2005]

Police believe this incident was carried out by a political group bent on violence. They are extremists.

 

On the face of it, this seems like it makes sense. (discounting some sort of intra-Thai Army struggle)

 

Is he referring to a specific group, which he choose to keep secret?

[edwinchester]

Wasn't there a report these last couple of days that Southern separatists planned a hospital attack in BKK?

Also yesterday the Malaysian PM said the BRN were responsible.

 

[Emster23]

One would hope these were "extremists". When the "moderates" start doing it, perhaps time to rethink things

[darksidedog]

No point reinstating legislation to bring a trial under the jurisdiction of a military court until you have actually arrested someone.

[phantomfiddler]

My money is on red !

[Eric Loh]

4 minutes ago, phantomfiddler said:

My money is on red !

MU or Liverpool 

[Thailand]

Twenty of them got through security and planted a bomb?

[toybits]

Just ask yourself - "Why Bomb a Hospital?"  What political gain can be achieved from such heinous act? Then the real questions start flooding in. I cannot post those questions because my health and sanity is more valuable to me.

 

[mikebell]

2 minutes ago, toybits said:

Just ask yourself - "Why Bomb a Hospital?"  What political gain can be achieved from such heinous act? Then the real questions start flooding in. I cannot post those questions because my health and sanity is more valuable to me.

 

Why bomb a pop concert?  Muslim extremists have no qualms.

[ratcatcher]

"Political 'extremist' group blamed for hospital blast"

Extremist, anarchist, separatist, jihadist, insurgent and all those others using intimidating tactics to achieve ends.

  in other words.................  TERRORIST.

Call it what it is.

[Cadbury]

3 hours ago, rkidlad said:

Oh, please no. Don't start giving stats like "the investigation is 92.5% complete"

 

I remember that nonsense from last time they didn't have a clue. 

Clues are always elusive until they post a large reward for collection by themselves.

[Mickmouse1]

 The investigative team was allowed access by the military to the hospital’s security-camera data centre almost 30 hours after the explosion,?

[anon4637435435]

Hang on a minute......

Peace isnt restored?

Oh dear... There goes that one and only achievment by the current government.

[fantom]

It is amusing* to compare the reaction of the junta to this tiny bomb to the government reaction in the UK, particularly with regard to forthcoming elections. The other Newspaper expands on this in some detail.

 

*I am easily amused

[YetAnother]

term 'extremist' is tossed about pretty easily these days

[Bezdomny]

Who profits most from the bombings? Who doesn't want elections?

Edited May 26, 2017 by Bezdomny