Seven Bombs Go Off In Bangkok - New Year Countdown Cancelled

[Jai Dee]

Surayud visits bomb victims at Rajvithi

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont visited bomb victims at the Rajavithi Hospital at 9:50 pm.

Surayud who appeared under tension said he did not know yet who the masterminds of the bomb attacks were.

Source: The Nation - 31 December 2006

[thaihome]

839 User(s) are reading this topic (579 Guests and 5 Anonymous Users)

TH

[londonthai]

All programming on TV and radio has reverted to its normal schedule. Needless to say, this is an amazing development - almost as if all broadcast media have been ordered to stop reporting updates.

they were and they stopped - and the bombings went off at the time of the prime tv time around 7pm and not 11.50 pm. Somebody powerful pulls the strings. The government.

[BlackArtemis]

So basically they got what they wanted and it was all cancelled huh?

[JacknDanny]

All programming on TV and radio has reverted to its normal schedule. Needless to say, this is an amazing development - almost as if all broadcast media have been ordered to stop reporting updates.

they were and they stopped - and the bombings went off at the time of the prime tv time around 7pm and not 11.50 pm. Somebody powerful pulls the strings. The government.

Straws and "grasping At" comes to mind!!!

[tracker]

The bombings in bangkok are not so strange if you look at the political world stage. In most countries where people still have (or think they have) democracy, these things becoming a fear-tactics for several governments to take more power "in the name of safety for its citizen".

It still has to be proven here, but it would be no suprise to me if some freedom was taken away from the common people in the name of "safety".

[onethailand]

Some news seems to have come back - but no new developments. Almost everything is a repeat, and very short. Other unconfirmed sources also say that news reporting has been muzzled.

[Kaojai]

Wow, the farang circus is a real three-ring affair and all the gossipy old ladies are turbo-charged tonight.

No matter what happens, from earthquakes in Taiwan to early closure of bars to airport openings to Internet slow-downs to global warming, the grannies on steroids have all the answers... and the answers are inevitably the same:

• T.I.T
  
• Tourists and foreign investors will stop coming
  
• Thaksin is to blame
  
• The police are to blame
  
• The Muslims are to blame
  
• TRT is to blame
  
• The junta is to blame
  
• This would never happen in Europe
  
• This would never happen in UK
  
• It's a feudal system
  

Some of you need to make a few New Year's resolutions to get a life, to stop assuming if you ruled the world it would be a better place, and to stop clenching your butt cheeks 24 hours a day.

Sawatdee pii mai

[londonthai]

Maybe the bombers were communists. Anyway how sad to kill people with bombs.

I am the communist for one - and we do advocate the mass action against the state called the socialist democratic revolution and not the terrorist ones

[Rinrada]

its now reporting on CNN that Chiang Mai has also cancelled its countdown

Wife has just spoken to one of her mates who was somewhere near the Thape Gate and she confirms that the countdown has been pulled.

Unfortunately she also mentioned hearing some loud bangs but hopefully only the local stuff.

Suspect they are all a bit up tight...

[salty]

Tonight's events will more than likely lead to delays for travellers at the airport. Security bound to be stepped up.

[Tywais]

US Embassy Warden Message

" A series of bombs exploded Sunday evening December 31, 2006 in several locations in the Bangkok metropolitan area. There are preliminary reports of injuries and possibly a few fatalities. Local authorities are reported to have ordered the cancellation of some public New Year’s celebrations in Bangkok. At present there are no known American casualties.

The Department of State and the American Embassy in Bangkok urge all American citizens in Bangkok to stay indoors and to avoid all public gatherings. Please monitor local news channels or CNN for further information."

[kayo]

So basically they got what they wanted and it was all cancelled huh?

I agree with the press stop.

1. Breaking news interrupts all programming.

Fine, and understandable.

2. Updates for a while

Great.

3. Back to Normal... It's new years EVE. People are aware now. No need in senselessly pumping feear into them. I imagine that was the case in states on 11-9. I imagine it was on the news ALL DAY every day until somebody said... "Oh must be that guy in the cave in the middle east."

Of course, by that time, the whole nation was semi-paralyzed with fear and so more inclined to believe anything.

Here, on the other hand, they will report regularly I'm sure, but REPORT is what they'll do.. not needlessly and repetitively show the same images and speculate blindly.

To me it makes sense.

May the Thai People Party Hard and Good this Eve.

They deserve it.

Edit:

taking tywai's lead Here's what the British Foriegn Office says (so far)

# A number of bombs have gone off in Bangkok on 31 December 2006. British Citizens are advised not to travel within Bangkok unless absolutely necessary, until further notice.

Edited December 31, 2006 by kayo

[1Lucky]

Wow, the farang circus is a real three-ring affair and all the gossipy old ladies are turbo-charged tonight.

No matter what happens, from earthquakes in Taiwan to early closure of bars to airport openings to Internet slow-downs to global warming, the grannies on steroids have all the answers... and the answers are inevitably the same:

• T.I.T
  
• Tourists and foreign investors will stop coming
  
• Thaksin is to blame
  
• The police are to blame
  
• The Muslims are to blame
  
• TRT is to blame
  
• The junta is to blame
  
• This would never happen in Europe
  
• This would never happen in UK
  
• It's a feudal system
  

Some of you need to make a few New Year's resolutions to get a life, to stop assuming if you ruled the world it would be a better place, and to stop clenching your butt cheeks 24 hours a day.

Sawatdee pii mai

A lot of us are reading this serious thread because we are concerned about a worrying and sad event that took place in Bangkok tonight and a lot of the threads reflect this.

[onethailand]

Tonight's events will more than likely lead to delays for travellers at the airport. Security bound to be stepped up.

Thai Airways has already announced that airport security has been stepped up, and asks all travellers, domestic and international, to arrive a half hour earlier than normal.

[jinjok]

london thai - you raise an interesting issue.

when a terrorist attack occurs do you as the govt...

open all manner of communication

shut down all communication and keep people

what makes most sense for safety, democracy and decency?

im now thinking its the junta not taksin - pure speculation.

[Cool Water Palace]

A few months ago there was a thread about the ambulance 'service' in BKK, where I think it was commented that there was no scientific forensic service to shout about. This is surely crucial in this situation, although on Sky News I saw an officer putting on white gloves before approaching the scene of the crime (or one of them).

The same bulletin mentioned a possibility that renegade TRT supporters (the more criminal element?), who have lost loadsamoney, may be behind it. There is a possibility, surely, of some other diasffected group causing a bit of 'excitement', in view of what appears so far to be a lack of sophistication, except simultaneous timing. They crop up sometimes.

I also saw the report about an arrest ages ago. and mentioned several pages back. There seems to be no more news about that yet.

[JacknDanny]

Wow, the farang circus is a real three-ring affair and all the gossipy old ladies are turbo-charged tonight.

No matter what happens, from earthquakes in Taiwan to early closure of bars to airport openings to Internet slow-downs to global warming, the grannies on steroids have all the answers... and the answers are inevitably the same:

• T.I.T
  
• Tourists and foreign investors will stop coming
  
• Thaksin is to blame
  
• The police are to blame
  
• The Muslims are to blame
  
• TRT is to blame
  
• The junta is to blame
  
• This would never happen in Europe
  
• This would never happen in UK
  
• It's a feudal system
  

Some of you need to make a few New Year's resolutions to get a life, to stop assuming if you ruled the world it would be a better place, and to stop clenching your butt cheeks 24 hours a day.

Sawatdee pii mai

Going over your previous posts, all YOU seem to do is have a go at forum users!!!

I wonder why you sign in at all if you feel that this type of forum is below your intellectual needs!!!

Go haunt a few houses and a Happy New Year to you as well

[onethailand]

While I agree that everyone should try to relax and have a good time, it is still human nature to want to be kept informed about such a serious situation as it develops. I think it would be very hard for people to party and enjoy themselves not knowing what is going on - and then think of those who may have been affected, or know of friends or relatives in affected areas.

To stop reporting news is simply inexcusable unless there is a real security threat posed by the presence of such reports.

[murrayhunterr58]

6 bombs confirmed (ITV.

Helicopters over Hat yai tonight, which is unusual, even for new years.

[aaaaaa]

after the first reports we went to nearest dep store to buy few things. within may be half hour there were continious anouncements both in Thai and English that "Our store will close at 8:30 PM today" and security were running around like their tail was on fire.

Edited December 31, 2006 by aaaaaa

[farangsay]

This is getting 120 views a minute.

and increasing.

And more than 800 following the thread.

Good ol PM says to avoid large crowds tonite

so I'll sign off for now and go for a walk.

Seems calm out , usual traffic on Udomsuk

and just saw a nice firework display from the

SE end.

I am not suicidal so I will , as usual , look in

every direction but skywards for motorcycles

when crossing the road.

I suspect that traffic is still the biggest danger

to life and limb tonight.

(PLEASE , IF THERE IS A GOD , DON'T PROVE

ME WRONG).

Sad as tonight's events may be it will take more

than a few pricks to deflate the Big Mango.

Ciao

PS If any one's having a beer anywhere the bottom

end of Suk I'm up for it. I will put my arse where

my mouth is (figuratively speaking OK).

PPS I am not making light of the casualties tonight.

I know the ones who are mutilated in these atrocities

can think the ones who died are lucky.

[Jai Dee]

Armed Forces deploys troops stationed in key locations throughout Bangkok

Military forces have established a presence in key areas of the Bangkok Metropolitan area and have dispatched investigative teams to the site of recent bombings in order to prevent recurrent violence.

The deputy Commander in Chief of the Army, Gen Anupong Phaojinda (อนุพงษ์ เผ่าจินดา), reported on the recent bombing in the Bangkok Metropolitan area. The general said that military troops have been deployed throughout key locations while investigative forces have been rushed to the bomb scenes. Gen Anupong said personnel will ensure that no recurrent bombing occurs and asks the public to remain calm throughout the incident. Gen Anupong said there was no cause for concern as Bangkok is now under martial law.

General Anupong added that the military has communicated through the mass media to citizens that if any suspicious objects are located, police or relevant agencies should immediately be notified in order to prevent further incidents from occuring.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 December 2006

[c_bangkok]

In the US right now, or at least in Maine, little media mention has been made of the attacks, people more concerened with deaths of James Brown, Gerald Ford, and Saddam Hussein(not that Thailand should want too many US tourists anyway).

If there's a chance list posted anywhere of those dead/injured can someone please post a link? Or if any names have been mentioned in the news?

Thanks.

Along with Victory, here are the other definite bombing sites, according to BBC:

-close to a police post in the Saphan Kwai district

-at a car park in the Season Square shopping mall

-at a market in the Klong Toey district

-in the northern suburb of Kae Lai

-along Sukhumvit Road in the north-east

This is all BS. (As far as people in Thailand (Thais and foreigners) should be better than using murder as a political tool, especially in wake of a peaceful coup. If not for religious reasons, than at least personal ones.)

[LifeConvo]

I give the police some credit, they have moved very quickly to act, and put in place measures to lower risks for further bombings.

Good on them, it's nice to know our tea money is being put to some good use.

[Far Angst]

Wow, the farang circus is a real three-ring affair and all the gossipy old ladies are turbo-charged tonight.

No matter what happens, from earthquakes in Taiwan to early closure of bars to airport openings to Internet slow-downs to global warming, the grannies on steroids have all the answers... and the answers are inevitably the same:

• T.I.T
  
• Tourists and foreign investors will stop coming
  
• Thaksin is to blame
  
• The police are to blame
  
• The Muslims are to blame
  
• TRT is to blame
  
• The junta is to blame
  
• This would never happen in Europe
  
• This would never happen in UK
  
• It's a feudal system
  

Some of you need to make a few New Year's resolutions to get a life, to stop assuming if you ruled the world it would be a better place, and to stop clenching your butt cheeks 24 hours a day.

Sawatdee pii mai

Heheheheeee,, How very, very true!

,

[paulmw]

From Reuters

Soldiers armed with M-16 assault rifles took over areas around the places where the bombs went off but Achiravit said no curfew was necessary, despite rumours sweeping the city that one would be imposed.

"The countdown parties will continue, but we ask the public to be vigilant," he said.

Nevertheless, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin went on stage at the main party in the city's main shopping district and led the countdown more than three hours early.

Police then moved in to usher people home. They also pulled the plug on the New Year party on Khao San Road, where many foreign backpackers stay, halting the band in mid-song.

The bomb outside the shopping mall near the Victory Monument in the centre of the Thai capital appeared to have caused the largest number of injuries.

"There was a big bang and people started screaming and running. I saw people with blood all over their legs and faces," said Chalermsak Sanbee, 17, who was standing near the bus stop.

Another went off near a police booth, wounding two people, and a third was placed in a trash can at a market in the port district and wounded five, including a 10-year-old, police said.

A fourth went off in the parking lot of a shopping mall on the road to Bangkok's new airport.

Paul

[cclub75]

Sorry with a technical detail : some speak about "bombs" or "explosive devices" other about "grenades" (on Nation).

I believe it's important.

[thaiprivateeye]

In my job, I deal with facts and not assumptions or idle speculation.

One fact is that as of 22:45pm the BTS overhead trains are still running although they are quite empty...

Does anyone know if the MRT is still operating?

One would think that in a time of national crisis such as this, and given that the military is in charge of the government, they would have a contingency plan to halt all overhead and underground train services… Especially in the light of what has happened in the recent past in London and Madrid…

Unless they know something we don’t…

I myself feel sorry for the children that have been affected by this unspeakable act of cowardly violence eithe directly or indirectly.

And I would like to propose that we (TVF) members act together as a group of concerned individuals, and set up a collection to help pay for the injured persons hospital bills... Or at least try to do something for them...

Does anyone have any suggestion as to how we can accomplish this?

TPE II

[Jookster]

So are people going out?

And please no one knows who did this, and there is no evidence to suggest anyone per se. So be objective.