Three More Bombs Explode At Central World, Pratunam, Khao Sarn Road

[asd]

An alien language

Edited January 1, 2007 by asd

[freitag1]

An alien language

A graffiti tag from a graffiti crew and not the terrorists unless they are graffiti artists. Hard to explain but this is a particular graffiti style. It's really funny but this will get them no where and a lot of people who do graffiti are amused.

Edited January 1, 2007 by freitag1

[cclub75]

An alien language

Here is the "explanation" given :

A high-ranking CNS source said the initials IRK, which represent a group of Islamic militias who reportedly received training in Afghanistan in guerrilla warfare in urban areas recently, that was left at three of the eight bomb sites seemed too deliberate and obviously intended to make security officials think they were behind the attacks.

www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/02/politics/politics_30023092.php

Have you ever heard of that group ? With training in Afghanistan ?!!! I mean that's a new within the news ! And they say that like... a fart. Amazing.

I think that the ongoing "investigation" is going to reach some "himalaya" highness of stupidity, confusing, mixing, monthy pythonesque delirium...

Here is a quick cut and paste of the "infos" we have :

-this morning, Dr. Khunying Porntip said : explosives devices not the same type used in the south. But she can not give details. Of course.

-meanwhile, some police said last night : C4 explosive

-then military gave their own analysis : Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) with a very precise... size ! "about 5 by 3 by 1 inch, made primarily from ammonium nitrate, and set off by digital clocks."

-Police, however, provided different information on the type of explosive used, saying the bombs were home-made, of a non-violent type and detonated by batteries.

-A high-ranking police source said those behind the attacks could have been " in uniform" but declined to be more specific until concrete evidence was made available.

-still some people who saw a man launching a grenade on the roof of police booth

-nobody is talking anymore about the bomb defused at Lumpini. Nor the bomb at Kao San Road. Even though the "infos" are still available on Nation website.... And even in the title of this thread...

www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php=3fnewsid=3d30023025

-The governement was fast to incriminate Thaksin's. And use some totally insane words like : "The militants are in trouble, even in Yala. I don't think they would come here as they could get lost in Bangkok," Sonthi told reporters.... Or another translation : "If southerners came up here to Bangkok they would get lost and wouldn't have been able to escape," said Sonthi.

I mean : stop the press : we know that Thailand is a sureal country. But now we reach some new highness.

And the list goes on, goes on... Ad nauseam.

It reminds me exactly the real-fake-not sure-maybe-wanabee car bombing attempt against Thaksin last summer.

The same bullshit, the same inability to come with some solid pieces of evidence, to answer some simple question, the same confusing draft of opinions (in Thailand, when you wear an uniform, you are an authorized commentator).

My point is : if the bombings are not part of a campain that will last, if it's only a one shoot, then it's very unlikely that we will know the truth. Ever.

[Nam Plah]

I would like to weigh in on the graffiti issue as a retired graffiti artist ( I ran with a "crew" some 25 years ago on the streets and subways of New York City) with some insight on the "IRK" image.

My interpretation is that the glyph says "IRIE" and not "IRK" based upon the angle of attack of the strokes, trailing of the spray patterning, the overlooked second dotted "i" and the highly stylized "E".

Please refer to the image which indicates the letterforms seperated as I interpret them along with arrows indicating the direction of the spray artist's strokes.

IRIE is a Rastafarian term and the tag may have absolutely nothing to do with these attacks.

As an aside didn't the law change today no prohibit cigarette smoking in public places? Maybe it was some disgruntled nicotine addict. Joking?

[aaaaaa]

well, perhaps you should e-mail Nation or Bkk post with your version of this glyph - coz it is quite doubtful that Thai Police are well versed in Rastafarian symbolics

[cclub75]

well, perhaps you should e-mail Nation or Bkk post with your version of this glyph - coz it is quite doubtful that Thai Police are well versed in Rastafarian symbolics

Are you sure ? Given their investigation, I believe they are smoking a very heavy stuff, a powerfull ganja !

Soon, they will reveal us that... from the sky it's possible to see some strange crop circles around Victory monument.

[asd]

well, perhaps you should e-mail Nation or Bkk post with your version of this glyph - coz it is quite doubtful that Thai Police are well versed in Rastafarian symbolics

I agree with aaaaaa. I think that averyone in this country will love you.

[freitag1]

well, perhaps you should e-mail Nation or Bkk post with your version of this glyph - coz it is quite doubtful that Thai Police are well versed in Rastafarian symbolics

I agree with aaaaaa. I think that averyone in this country will love you.

Soon or later they will realize its just a local graffiti crew.

[bino]

My interpretation is that the glyph says "IRIE" and not "IRK" based upon the angle of attack of the strokes, trailing of the spray patterning, the overlooked second dotted "i" and the highly stylized "E".

IRIE is a Rastafarian term and the tag may have absolutely nothing to do with these attacks.

I'm with you.... I think that you have nailed this right on the head.

And- anyone who knows what Irie means will know that it really has no place in this situation!

[Nam Plah]

well, perhaps you should e-mail Nation or Bkk post with your version of this glyph - coz it is quite doubtful that Thai Police are well versed in Rastafarian symbolics

I agree with aaaaaa. I think that averyone in this country will love you.

Soon or later they will realize its just a local graffiti crew.

Contacted the Nation and sent the appropriate info along with links to the pertinent imagery.

Everyone in this country already loves me. ('Cept the ethanol-addicted, Troglodytic miscreants, 'natch!)

Thanks for your fraternal solidarity in light of the current uncertainty and speculation.

Anyways...

[judyel]

BTW I'm not trying to be overly optimistic (or pessimistic). I do think, however, that at worst the tourism trade will not slow by more than 5%. A single incident in any of the popular tourist areas, however, if picked up by the mainstream press, would have a much larger impact.

Not sure I can agree with that.

Canada has now issued a travel advisory for Thailand. And the U.S. And Britain. And Oz. And a half dozen more countries to boot. It has to have more than just a tiny impact.

Judyel

[Wingnuts]

I sorry to hear this sort of thing has reached Bangkok, my wife and I are due to visit in mid Feb.... However things like this would never stop me from visiting my favourite country and my favourite city. Having lived in Northern Ireland and London during the IRA bombings .... and compare to crossing the road in BKK the risk would be minor.

[onethailand]

Nam Plah -

Really enjoyed your post - thanks for the education

Not sure I can agree with that.

Canada has now issued a travel advisory for Thailand. And the U.S. And Britain. And Oz. And a half dozen more countries to boot. It has to have more than just a tiny impact.

Judyel

It's only natural that they should issue travel advisories. In fact, it would be very strange if they didn't!

That being said, the travel advisories warn of potential problems when travelling in Bangkok. They then give the usual "what to do and what not to do" advice. They don't say "Don't travel to Bangkok" or "Don't travel to Thailand".

Furthermore, I believe that most people do not check the travel advisories of their governments before travel - I know I sure don't, but then again I also know where I might want to be a bit more careful.

Let's not get into the arguments - it's not worth it. There is no doubt that travel to Thailand will decrease because of the recent bombings - heck, it sure ain't going to increase. And (knock on wood) if there are no problems in the next few days, things ought to be back to almost normal. The net result will be perhaps a few hundred cancellations. I know that stock analysts are predicting a major fall in tourism-related stocks, which I find overly cautious, especially considering the knock all stocks took a couple of weeks ago.

Wednesday, we will probably start to see the extent of the damage - but I cannot see Thailand losing 500,000 tourists this year because of the bombings in Bangkok alone.

[londonthai]

-this morning, Dr. Khunying Porntip said : explosives devices not the same type used in the south. But she can not give details. Of course.

-meanwhile, some police said last night : C4 explosive

-then military gave their own analysis : Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) with a very precise... size ! "about 5 by 3 by 1 inch, made primarily from ammonium nitrate, and set off by digital clocks."

-Police, however, provided different information on the type of explosive used, saying the bombs were home-made, of a non-violent type and detonated by batteries.

they spark-cleaned all the places where bombs detonated disposing off all the evidence - in some other countries where police is more serious about the job they cordon the place as soon as victims are taken away, erect a tent and sieve through the evidence for days or weeks.

earlier today I have written about it on another thread http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?ac...amp;pid=1057502

[bkkandrew]

Nam Plah -

Really enjoyed your post - thanks for the education

Not sure I can agree with that.

Canada has now issued a travel advisory for Thailand. And the U.S. And Britain. And Oz. And a half dozen more countries to boot. It has to have more than just a tiny impact.

Judyel

It's only natural that they should issue travel advisories. In fact, it would be very strange if they didn't!

That being said, the travel advisories warn of potential problems when travelling in Bangkok. They then give the usual "what to do and what not to do" advice. They don't say "Don't travel to Bangkok" or "Don't travel to Thailand".

Furthermore, I believe that most people do not check the travel advisories of their governments before travel - I know I sure don't, but then again I also know where I might want to be a bit more careful.

Let's not get into the arguments - it's not worth it. There is no doubt that travel to Thailand will decrease because of the recent bombings - heck, it sure ain't going to increase. And (knock on wood) if there are no problems in the next few days, things ought to be back to almost normal. The net result will be perhaps a few hundred cancellations. I know that stock analysts are predicting a major fall in tourism-related stocks, which I find overly cautious, especially considering the knock all stocks took a couple of weeks ago.

Wednesday, we will probably start to see the extent of the damage - but I cannot see Thailand losing 500,000 tourists this year because of the bombings in Bangkok alone.

Incorrect. The UK Foreign Office advice is:

A number of bombs exploded in Bangkok on 31 December 2006. There is a possibility of further attacks in coming days. British Citizens are advised not to travel within Bangkok unless absolutely necessary, until further notice.

Source:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagena...d=1013618386505

I wouldn't say that going on your annual hols is considered "absolutely necessary". Also under this wording travellers can get full refunds or alternative destinations from their airline/tour operator if they have already booked/paid...

[Tony Clifton]

I look at the tag and all I can see is ITV

Edited January 1, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[Taggart]

It's only natural that they should issue travel advisories. In fact, it would be very strange if they didn't!

That being said, the travel advisories warn of potential problems when travelling in Bangkok. They then give the usual "what to do and what not to do" advice. They don't say "Don't travel to Bangkok" or "Don't travel to Thailand".

The Canadian Government may not be saying "Don't travel to Bangkok" or "Don't travel to Thailand", but what they do say is:

"You are advised against non-essential travel to the capital, Bangkok."

and

"You are advised against all travel to the far southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla (including the city of Hat Yai),..."

Serious enough in my mind. Ever since September Thailand wants to keep itself in the world news, and none of that news is good.

[Boon Mee]

Thailand searches for answers in deadly bombings; Canadians advised against travel to Bangkok .

BANGKOK, Thailand (CP) - "Thailand's military-backed government named supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday as unofficial prime suspects in New Year's Eve bombings that killed three people and wounded 38 in the capital."

What about all those TEFLer's trying to get back after the Christmas vacation?

[englishoak]

Wednesday, we will probably start to see the extent of the damage - but I cannot see Thailand losing 500,000 tourists this year because of the bombings in Bangkok alone

As most tourists do spend a couple of days in BKK it is very possible to lose 500,000 very quickly. Remember that a lot of tourists are not European but Asian, and most of them do indeed stop off in Bkk.

Whatever the impact it's another negative for visiting Thailand atm.

[drummer]

i wonder why any prime targets to kill farangs didn't get hit! any ideas anyone? i dont think its political, perhaps more sinister or cowardly reasons might be the answer

What would be a prime target to hit farangs? (By the way, there were farangs hit). And if it is not against farangs and it is not political, then what is it? Or why would it be only political if farangs get hit? I think its purely Thai internal and VERY political.

Perhaps because farang really aren't the center of the world - even in Thailand....

[CrazyFrog]

I beleive that all these bombs are just a start!

I think Thailand will have a serious hard time for many years!

A Coup was not a solution! It was just escaping the reality!

Even if Thaksin was steeling money, all the system in Thailand is completly corrupted!

You have money, you can buy everybody there!

Police in Thailand is a real joke!

What kind of country it is when:

-in south thailand it's always the war,

-old fuc**** perverts who abused of child (including Policeman and Politic guys),

-a country who don't wanna be associated to prostitution but not able to control it because Police just like to abuse of their power with girls,

-a country that Thai guys are jalous of farangs,

-a system that always make it hard to get back our investment,

- A country who decide to act against DEMOCRACY and don't care about millions of voters

I think that many people can be angry about the Junte and the New Government.

When you have millions of Thais, thousands of farangs who's tired to be controlled by people who's not doing their jobs like it should be, it's absolutly normal that some of them will express their feeling!

Bad that innocent victims are killed and injured by these acts.

I don't agree with that but the Thai System, the Thai Police and the Thai Army should do their jobs like it suppose to be!

Or Thailand will fall in a Dark episode for many years!

Only with all the problems in Thailand, it will take about 10 years to say that Thailand recognize Democracy and that the system in under control!

What's the percentage of corrupt policeman, political person in this country?

Probably 80%!

[KhunPadThai]

So now the military dictatorship that failed to appoint a civilian PM after promising to and failed to lift martial law after promising to, is blaming the bombs on their political enemies and creating yet another paramilitary force to control the population. The military, over whome sycophantic expats have been fawning on thaivisa since the coup, is certainly at the head of my list of candidates who could be responsible for the bombs. Shades of the Reichstag fire.

[Shimokitazawa]

maps:

Trying to work out from all the reports where exactly the explosion sites are in relation to each other. The BBC has a map here, there's also a Google Maps satellite view with the known locations overlaid here: map of Bangkok bombings.

Hope the New Year continues better than it began for everyone in Bangkok and Thailand.

[Tony Clifton]

What's the percentage of corrupt policeman, political person in this country?

Probably 80%!

My latest study concluded that it was 102%, with an error margin of ± 2.

[kat]

Hello TV:

I'm sorry to hear about the bombings and bloodshed, and general mistrust that these horrible actions have invoked. Please stay safe, and I hope that these issues are resolved without further suffering as soon as possible.

Kat

[LaoPo]

Hello TV:

I'm sorry to hear about the bombings and bloodshed, and general mistrust that these horrible actions have invoked. Please stay safe, and I hope that these issues are resolved without further suffering as soon as possible.

Kat

Glad to see you're 'back' Kat ! Some members were a little worried about you, since you stayed away from TV for some 2 months...

Happy New Year !

LaoPo

[sonnyJ]

I beleive that all these bombs are just a start!

I think Thailand will have a serious hard time for many years!

A Coup was not a solution! It was just escaping the reality!

Even if Thaksin was steeling money, all the system in Thailand is completly corrupted!

You have money, you can buy everybody there!

Police in Thailand is a real joke!

What kind of country it is when:

-in south thailand it's always the war,

-old fuc**** perverts who abused of child (including Policeman and Politic guys),

-a country who don't wanna be associated to prostitution but not able to control it because Police just like to abuse of their power with girls,

-a country that Thai guys are jalous of farangs,

-a system that always make it hard to get back our investment,

- A country who decide to act against DEMOCRACY and don't care about millions of voters

I think that many people can be angry about the Junte and the New Government.

When you have millions of Thais, thousands of farangs who's tired to be controlled by people who's not doing their jobs like it should be, it's absolutly normal that some of them will express their feeling!

Bad that innocent victims are killed and injured by these acts.

I don't agree with that but the Thai System, the Thai Police and the Thai Army should do their jobs like it suppose to be!

Or Thailand will fall in a Dark episode for many years!

Only with all the problems in Thailand, it will take about 10 years to say that Thailand recognize Democracy and that the system in under control!

What's the percentage of corrupt policeman, political person in this country?

Probably 80%!

I agree with you on that the Thai police, military and government are a real joke. And have always been, it never mattered under which government, they all have. In a word it's the system and this system is seen everywhere, it equals their culture in mainframe. So, nothing new.

Latest bombings, luckily very small this time, have made me very concerned though. Completely inept comments by different sections of the police force and military, all different. And gov rushes to one conclusion very fast. Press telling different story all the time. It's chaos. Well, what do we know? Not much really.

Just imagine it were some serious bombs like a couple thousand dead and you got the same info, probably you would... Show me some evidence and then name the the guilty party that is under suspicion! I'm still waiting.. but not holding my breath. Guess it will be something completely new next week...

This is just all so very Thai.

If things got really serious, and I know my embassy would be the only place to trust here, I would have to consider leaving this place behind seriously.

It doesn't really matter who are behind these bombs. What matters is what can gov do about it. All departments have allready shown they are not ready to handle this. I'm afraid it will get worse. New government will change nothing, not in hundred years.

[kurtgruen]

Even if Thaksin was steeling money, all the system in Thailand is completly corrupted!

So how does that make it different from the rest of the world??? We have our share of corrupt polititians in Canada as well. I don't believe that there is any such thing as honest politics, anywhere in the world. You almost have to be corrupt to get into office.

Then again, you are probalby more likely to find honest politicians here in Thailand, than in the Western Countries, because in the West, at worst, they get a slap on the wrist if they get caught, here, they might not survive. I would not want to me a politician in Asia. It is a dangerous job to hold and like anywhere else in the world, people are ungrateful, no matter what you try to do for them.

The nice thing in Thailand so far for me is, that (even though we have a military backed government), I can enjoy a lot more personal freedom here, than back in North America. (and the no-helmet tickets are a lot cheaper

[sonnyJ]

Even if Thaksin was steeling money, all the system in Thailand is completly corrupted!

So how does that make it different from the rest of the world??? We have our share of corrupt polititians in Canada as well. I don't believe that there is any such thing as honest politics, anywhere in the world. You almost have to be corrupt to get into office.

Then again, you are probalby more likely to find honest politicians here in Thailand, than in the Western Countries, because in the West, at worst, they get a slap on the wrist if they get caught, here, they might not survive. I would not want to me a politician in Asia. It is a dangerous job to hold and like anywhere else in the world, people are ungrateful, no matter what you try to do for them.

The nice thing in Thailand so far for me is, that (even though we have a military backed government), I can enjoy a lot more personal freedom here, than back in North America. (and the no-helmet tickets are a lot cheaper

What you should consider is the width and depth of corruption. I think you guys in Canada are doing pretty fine in the world scope.

[Zen]

Does anyone know whether it's true that there was an unexploded bomb found in the 2nd Floor toilet of ASIA HOTEL in Bangkok (Rajthevee)???