Bomb Threats In Bangkok

[Jai Dee]

Hoax bomb threats by 'Thaksin supporter'

Bangkok residents were faced with possible chaos yesterday when nine sites received bomb-threats by phone during the course of the day. The situation was similar in another six provinces throughout the country.

However, police found all the calls were hoaxes and no real bombs were found at any of the sites.

The nine sites included two schools and The Nation Building. These three places received bomb threat calls.

The two schools were Sanphawut Wittaya School and King Phet School.

The police emergency call centre - the Chao Fah Centre or 191 hotline - received phone calls from residents near the other six sites reporting suspicious materials in the area and asked police to check them out.

The two schools decided to temporarily close after receiving the calls. They then waited for a police inspection.

Like the two schools, the manager of The Nation Building decided to ask most companies in the building to stop working and temporarily close, letting workers go home early. The call was received at around 1pm.

"The mysterious caller claimed he was working for Thaksin and had set the bomb to go off at 1pm in our school. He then terminated the call. We received three such calls," Methinee Narknongharn, an operator at King Phet School told police.

An operator at The Nation Building said: "He [the caller] said 'listen carefully. I have set three bombs in your building that will go off in three hours. I don't mean to hurt anyone but to react to your news reporting that attacks Thaksin unfairly'."

Police sent teams to inspect the six sites for suspicious materials. The first was at 8am at Oishi Restaurant on Phaholyothin Road. The police later found the suspected box contained ceramic plates.

At noon, a similar call happened in central Bangkok on Charoenkrung Road at a beauty salon. There, police found only an empty sack.

An hour later at a noodle shop near the Air Force base on Vipawadi Road, police found another sack containing only cloth. At Central World Plaza and Gaysorn at 4pm, police found a backpack but no bomb. Two hours later it was a a similar story at two bank offices on Phaholyothin Road.

Bomb threats were also made to two schools in Nonthaburi, leading to their closure yesterday, but again the police found no bomb.

In Phitsanulok, four major shopping centres as well as the Phuthachinarat Hospital were threatened. In Kanchanaburi, there was a call to the central bus station. Hoax calls were also made to Satun's La Ngoo Hospital, Roi Et's provincial hospital and Chiang Mai's Tesco Lotus Super Centre.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police, Pol General Phinit Maneerat, revealed yesterday that there were a total of 119 calls from residents of Bangkok to the 191 emergency call since December 31 and 23 of them were related to bomb threats. The rest of them reported suspicious materials or packages left in public places.

"It is good to have more eyes to help us in our work. However, I would like to ask the public not to panic. For those who made threatening calls for fun, they could be jailed for as long as 18 months," he said.

Source: The Nation - 4 January 2007

[Scott]

It looks like the fun is really starting in Bangkok!

[britmaveric]

Sad!!

[Who, me ?]

hope that whoever is doing that will get bored, or caught...........soon

[Jai Dee]

'Big Brother' cameras for capital

Closed circuit TV set for sensitive areas as govt seeks to quell public fears after blasts; private sector on PR offensive

The Cabinet has agreed to install surveillance cameras in public areas around Bangkok in response to the deadly bomb blasts on New Year's Eve.

Representatives of the Board of Trade, the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Bankers' Association have also vowed to step up security measures.

The installation of CCTV cameras would be a top priority among measures to prevent future attacks, government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp said.

The moves follow the killing of three people and injuries to almost 40, including nine foreigners, in eight bomb attacks around Bangkok on Sunday night.

The Internal Security Opera-tions Command (ISOC) would be responsible for the procurement and installation of the cameras, while the ICT minister would oversee any malfunctioning in cameras already installed in several official buildings, Yongyuth said.

The Cabinet also discussed possible production of 'jammers' - equipment that can cut the signal of a bomb detonator. Local production of these devices could be five to 10 times cheaper than imported versions, Yongyuth said.

Another security measure would be transparent trash bins to prevent explosives being hidden, he said.

The Cabinet also planned to set up a "Centre for Safe Transport" with the cooperation of the Ministry of Transport. This would promote safe travel for passengers at public transport terminals.

The government would also boost the number of security officials at all public places that are usually crowded with people.

An umbrella group of Thai private-sector associations yesterday called on its members to step up security measures by themselves instead of waiting for government support after the bomb blasts.

Pramon Suthivong, chairman of the joint standing committee on commerce, industry and banking, said after an urgent meeting yesterday that, "the meeting concluded that the private sector should be more aware of the situation, look after itself and tighten up surveillance systems".

The committee, made up of the three most powerful private sector bodies - the Board of Trade, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Thai Bankers' Association - met for more than an hour yesterday afternoon to discuss how the business community could help to control the security situation.

The blasts in Bangkok caused the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index to fall by 3 per cent on the first day of business yesterday as investors worried about the economic impact of the attacks. The SET composite index was down 20.59 points to 659.25.

SET president Patareeya Benjapolchai said the SET planned to talk with companies on how to tighten up security in the building.

In regard to the SET index's fall, she said that despite of the drop, there was a net sale to the tune of Bt200 million yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Thai baht held firm, closing at 36.9036 to the dollar and 47.4585 to the euro, against Friday's 47.3760.

Pramon said the meeting of the three private associations was not meant to estimate the level of damage caused. The more immediate issue was how the private sector could control the situation.

In regard to overseas investors, the private sector would try to create a system to communicate better with foreigners, to ask about any concerns they have and ensure they understand the local situation.

Santi Vilassakdanont, the FTI chairman, said the Federation had yet to estimate the damage caused by the attacks. But he believed that if the situation returned to normal in one or two weeks, it should not affect foreign investors' decisions to invest in Thailand, especially those who planned long-term investments.

He said he had talked to foreign business partners and they told him they had experienced similar incidents in their countries.

"But I admit that the tourism sector will certainly feel the pinch, as tourists may think Thailand is unsafe to visit," he said.

The retail sector was also hurt by the bomb attacks as sales at major department stores in central Bangkok on New Year's Day dropped by 30 to 40 per cent compared to the usual figures. Upscale department stores in the capital are usually buzzing at this time of the year, but were quiet on New Year's Day, retailers said.

"The blasts in the city had a psychological impact on the mood of local shoppers as well as foreign travellers," said Dr Nattakit, Tangpoonsinthana, executive vice president of marketing for Central Pattana Plc, which operates CentralWorld.

Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula urged the Council for National Security to find the culprits behind the coordinated bomb blasts quickly to restore investor confidence both locally and internationally.

Pridiyathorn said the blasts should not adversely affect the overall economic picture due to strong fundamentals in terms of exports, tourism and investment. But he conceded they would have a short-term impact on tourism.

"If the CNS concludes the investigation quickly, it will be a good sign to bring back investors' confidence," he said.

Piyabutr Cholvijarn, deputy industry minister, said the impact would be felt immediately in the tourism sector.

Asked if he planned to conduct a campaign to explain the situation to foreigners, he said: "I don't think it's necessary to do so. It would be like we were making an excuse."

In regard to the Children's Day celebration this Saturday, Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an said the planned events would continue but with tightened security.

"Everything will go ahead as planned, as we want to make everyone feel that we can continue our way of life as normal - but we will not be careless. We believe the event venues will be thoroughly under surveillance," Wijit said.

Source: The Nation - 4 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

Diplomatic envoys to attend briefing on recent BKK blast today

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be inviting diplomatic officials from various embassies for a briefing on the recent Bangkok bombing.

The director-general of the Department of Information, Mr. Kitti Wasinond (กิตติ วะสีนนท์), revealed that Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Krit Kanjanakunchorn ( กฤษณ์ กาญจนกุญชร ), has invited diplomatic envoys from various nations to attend a briefing on the recent Bangkok bombing today (Jan 4) at 11 AM.

96 consulate representatives, and 29 ambassadors will be in attendance at the meeting so that the government may facilitate understanding of recent events, as well as measures which have been taken to ensure security.

Mr. Kitti said he hoped the meeting would project an image of stability in the nation in order to increase the confidence of other nations on Thailand.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

BKK bomb victim wants offender to consider innocent people who have been wounded

One of the victims who have been injured from one of the bomb blasts in Bangkok last weekend, Mr. Samruay Seedao, would like the responsible offender to bear in mind of the affected people who are innocent and guiltless.

Mr. Samruay, a public transport officer, is currently being treated in the emergency room of Rajavithi Hospital. However, his health condition has improved and the endotracheal tube has been removed from his airway.

Mr. Samruay thanked the government for paying for his medical expenses and accommodations for his relatives. The government has also presented financial donations to his family.

Mrs. Aomjai Pongpornchettha, another bomb victim, said she wants the government to reinforce security in the society because she believes that public members have less confidence of their safety when they are in public places.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

Internal Security Operations Command to coordinate and look out for possible violence

The Cabinet has a resolution for the Internal Security Operations Command to act as a coordinating agency that keeps a close eye on possible violence in the country.

Following the Cabinet meeting yesterday (Jan 3), Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont asked public members to help the Internal Security Operations Command in overseeing any unusual situation. They can inform the Internal Security Operations Command at 0-2281-1828. They can contact the officials at 191 and 1555 hotline services.

Gen. Surayud said security measures to be enforced on the National Children’s Day will be discussed this Friday. He also said there has been no evidence to point to the culprits who detonated a series of explosions last weekend.

However, he referred to the news analysis and said the responsible party could be a group of politicians who lost certain benefits.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

Minister of Tourism informs foreign correspondents of situation concerning recent BKK blasts

The Minister of Tourism and Sports has informed foreign correspondents of the situation concerning the recent Bangkok bombings.

Minister of Tourism Suwit Yodmanee (สุวิทย์ ยอดมณี), said that he conducted a meeting to assess the effect of the recent Bangkok bombings on the nation's tourism sector, and had also sent 4 reports to foreign nations to inform them that the event was an emergency situation that could be controlled. Mr. Suwit expressed his confidence that the bombings would only affect tourism in the short run. The minister has instructed Tourism Police to ensure the security of tourists.

The Minister of Tourism said despite security precuations, Malaysian golfers scheduled to compete in a tournament in Cholburi province have pulled out.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

PS of Industry affirms recent BKK blasts would not burden industrial sector

The Permanent Secretary of Industry affirms that the recent Bangkok bombing would not affect the industrial sector.

Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Industry Jaglamon Pasuwanich (จักรมณฑ์ ผาสุกวนิช), revealed that the recent Bangkok bombings would affect the tourism sector the most, as the event preyed on the emotions of travelers. Mr. Jaglamon affirmed, however, that the industrial sector would not be affected, as it mostly delt with exports. The permanent secretary said the buying potential of Thai people may be slightly affected, and this may cause economic burden.

Mr. Jaglamon added that when authorities captured the bombers the nation would regain its confidence, and continue to grow. The permanent secretary said such incidents did not occur exclusively in Thailand.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

Government seeks security tip-offs; promises justice

An emergency centre will be shortly set up to receive and compile tip-offs and warnings pertaining to possible bombing plots and other incidents contributing to public disorder in Bangkok and its outlying areas, while the public will be asked to cooperate fully with the authorities, following the New Year's Eve bombings in the capital.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the public should help alert the authorities to suspicious activities or persons and to give immediately tip-offs to the authorities regarding possible violence.

Parents and children, meanwhile, will be instructed in measures to follow as part of stepped-up security for National Children's Day, set for January 13.

The New Year's Eve bombings which killed three persons and injured over 30 others might be repeated on the special day for children, the premier speculated.

The authorities, including both the National Police and the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), will present detailed security measures on Friday to cope with possible sabotage.

Gen. Surayud admitted that the authorities had not yet pinpointed any bombing suspects, due to lack of hard evidence, but intelligence officials were initially inclined to hold remnants of the previous Thaksin regime responsible for the bombings.

Regardless, those proven to be involved in such violent acts are yet to be brought to justice, the premier said.

Surayud's comments followed criticism raised by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, currently in China, that the military-appointed government had improperly placed blame on his former regime for the New Year's Eve bombings only one day after the incidents had taken place, compared to bombings and other attacks in the Deep South for which the authorities had yet failed to arrest suspects.

Council for National Security (CNS) chairman Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin and National Police Commissioner Pol. Gen. Kowit Wattana met with Surayud at Government House for about half an hour each. Both are believed to have discussed progress in the investigation of the bombings with Gen. Surayud, but they declined to comment to reporters.

Source: TNA - 4 January 2007

[hammered]

With most speculation being on political reasons for the bombs and with a whole lot of court cases on political issues to commence soon and probably crank up the level of political conflict unfortunately it seems we may well not be able to relax for some time.

[astral]

The Cabinet has agreed to install surveillance cameras in public areas around Bangkok in response to the deadly bomb blasts on New Year's Eve.

Now they want to be the hub of video surveillance...........

I believe London has that privilege.

[Jai Dee]

Social Development and Human Security Ministry and youth-related agencies campaigning against violence

The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is coordinating with youth-related agencies in campaigning against violence, following the small bomb blasts in Bangkok last weekend.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham had a meeting on peace and reconciliation with academics and representatives from the Institute of King Prajadhipok, and the Ministry of Justice.

Mr. Paiboon said the bomb blasts caused deaths and injuries and expressed his concerned over the situation as violence has gone over the edge. He said the short-term measures to curb violence were sought during the meeting, adding that a campaign against violence will be organized on the National Children’s Day on January 13th.

Mr. Paiboon said he will have a meeting with youth-related agencies and networks today to seek concrete and long-term reconciliation methods for the society.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

STREET WISE

No more than a pathetic hoax

Okay, you may already have heard the news as we have received a number of calls from friends to inquire about the bomb threat against The Nation yesterday.

To recap: the caller claimed he planted explosives at three spots in the Nation Tower on Bang Na-Trat Road at 1.38pm. He threatened that the bombs would explode in three hours.

We didn't keep track to see whether the man's phone had destroyed itself the instant after it was hung up, a la "Mission Impossible".

The caller might have wished that The Nation staff would evacuate the building in panic. But sorry, we treated the threat as it deserved to be treated: a bad joke.

Editors rightly predicted that it was a hoax. First of all, the caller is a jerk. And secondly, if he wanted to destroy us, one editor said: "He wouldn't have warned us three hours in advance."

Point taken.

Anyway, Bang Na police station sent a bomb squad to search for the explosives as a maximum-security precaution. Cute sniffer dogs patrolled around to clear the place. Shops inside the building were forced to close.

At one point, a dog stopped to inspect some garbage only to find smelly leftover food from the New Year's party.

In fact, The Nation was not the only one to receive a bomb threat. It was reported that tens of places were threatened by similar phone calls. And the coward didn't even spare a school on Rajthevi Road.

Any person who enjoys the scene of young students gathering in panic in the schoolyard waiting for the police to clear their school must really have a serious mental disorder. Even the young students who have yet to pass Psychology 101 would know that that loser on the phone must have been bullied in school but never had the guts to fight.

Here comes another failure of the craven bombers: a caller who wished to see us flee in panic. But sorry, we continue to live our lives just fine.

We just feel that it's pathetic that you spend your life in hiding and never have a chance to live like a man.

Source: The Nation - 4 January 2007

[sriracha john]

The ever-vigilant Private Somchai from Moo Baan, Roi Et is distracted from his duties whilst in the big city:

A soldier stands guard in front of a superstore in Bangkok January 3, 2007. Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra denied suggestions by the military and his army-appointed successor he was linked to New Year's Eve bombs in Bangkok.

REUTERS

Edited January 4, 2007 by sriracha john

[Scott]

Am I mistaken or does it look like that soldier has a stick of dynamite in his pants? Perhaps he is one of the mad bombers!

[aaaaaa]

nope, the explosives are hidden elsewhere on another person - the exact spot he was looking at. he is not distracted - rather checking on those suspicious objects !!!

vigilance of Somchais is undisputed, and objectives as clear as mentioned on following article:

Objective clear,

identity murky

While the objective of the multiple bomb blasts on New Year's Eve was clearly to undermine the authority of the CNS and the government, the identity of the perpetrators remains in the shadows

Edited January 4, 2007 by aaaaaa

[Jai Dee]

Gen. Boonrawd confident bomb blast was politically motivated

Defence Minister Gen. Boonrawd Somthas (บุญรอด สมทัศน์) said he is confident the recent bomb blasts were politically motivated.

According to the analysis and evaluation, Gen Boonrawd said the bomb blasts were emotions released by a group of people who had lost their political power. He remarked that not many people could create such deadly chaos. The purpose of the situation was aimed at discrediting the government and the Council for National Security (CNS).

However, he refused to indicate the masterminds of the brutal turbulence.

Earlier, CNS had warned people of possible violence but the bomb blasts were worse than what CNS had expected.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

Thailand’s Bombing Mystery Gets Murkier

Allegations, conspiracy theories and bomb threats continue to swirl in Bangkok

Although Thailand’s junta leaders have been generally praised by the local press in the wake of the bombings that rocked Bangkok's peaceful ambiance at the start of the year, concerns are growing about their competence in the wake of contradictory statements and a seeming lack of political, economic and law enforcement direction.

Contending forces appear to be emerging across a wide range of the power structure including within the police and military. Some political analysts are also theorizing that the bombings, which took the lives of three and injured nearly 30, could be the manifestations of a power struggle within the junta that took power after pushing deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power.

Certainly, there were conflicting statements aplenty Wednesday from the military junta and the country's appointed civilian leaders. Although General Saprang Kanlayanamitr, a leading junta member, told reporters that the "evidence and intelligence information proves that the bombs were the dirty work of politicians who lost power and benefit. Some bad soldiers loyal to the bad politicians collaborated with them with the intention to topple this government," an hour or so later that statement was contradicted by military-appointed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

"The investigation has not progressed at all," Surayud told reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting. "I will discuss this with the appropriate officials, including the National Police Office and the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc)…. As of now, there's no evidence to bring the perpetrators for prosecution."

Any evidence that may exist is not available to the public at large, which has frustrated a public yearning for answers. Then again, pundits don't expect any answers anytime soon, particularly since the junta has failed to levy any formal charges against deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra three months after seizing power despite plenty of allegations of widespread corruption.

"It's not good to make allegations without hard evidence," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, who heads the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University. "It sounds like what Thaksin would've done, to quickly pinpoint culpability. I don't think you can draw conclusions on anything. But people want answers quickly."

Answers seem unlikely to come quickly from the police investigation. Jeth Mongkholhatthi, a top official with the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, told reporters Wednesday police have failed to come up with leads after questioning victims and witnesses. "There is no eyewitness in this case and the footage from closed-circuit television is not clear. So police have not found any suspects," Jeth said, according to news reports.

Bangkok is still very much on edge. Anonymous callers made bomb threats on Wednesday against a school and The Nation, a leading English-language daily. Other seemingly suspicious packages were found at high-end shopping malls Central Lad Phrao and Gaysorn Plaza. The typical opaque nature of Thai politics and infighting among military and police has many thinking this mystery may never be solved. That would fit with many other conundrums in Thailand over the past few years, from the daily killings in the Muslim south to murdered human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit to the small bombs planted in Bangkok last year to the failed assassination attempt on Thaksin a few weeks before the September 19 coup.

Things are further confused by the fact that quite a number of groups have a motive to undermine the unelected military government and see it pushed from power. For sure, the list seems to grow by the day. In addition to the southern insurgents, who have killed more than 1,800 fellow Thais in the past two years, the usual suspects would be those who the coupmakers deposed or sidelined: Thaksin, Thai Rak Thai lawmakers, loyal army generals, loyal police officials, loyal bureaucrats. Then there are those who have been hurt by the generals after they seized power: pro-democracy student activists, farmers who have seen subsidies taken away, businessmen who saw their portfolios diminish after the central bank imposed capital controls, and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, a former army commander and Thaksin defense minister, who turned on the coupmakers after his allies failed to secure lucrative positions in the new government.

Any one of these groups, or a combination of several, could logically have reasons to strike. In large part due to statements by Surayud and the junta leaders, speculation that southern insurgents have shifted their deadly campaign to Bangkok has been pushed aside.

Despite the similarities—coordinated attacks, deadly bombs, no claim of responsibility—the differences—type of explosive device, use of digital watches as triggers instead of cell phones, not enough casualties—have won over many analysts. Thus, the spotlight is now shining on the shadowy elements within the police and armed forces that may have the capability and motive to pull off such a caper. Of these the most interesting theories appear to revolve around the actions of Chavalit, the planned restructuring of the police force and a power struggle within the junta itself.

Junta member Saprang made a thinly disguised reference to Chavalit in his comments on Wednesday, claiming the bombers had "used an old soldier to launch a war of words against the government and the (council)." The 75-year-old Chavalit served as army commander-in-chief in the late 1980s and prime minister for a brief period in 1997, when his cabinet floated the baht and ushered in the Asian financial crisis.

When Thaksin came to power in 2001, Chavalit came aboard and served as defense minister for a few years. Then he left the government, and adeptly managed to cozy up to the royalist military factions that launched the coup. When Prem Tinsulanonda, president of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's privy council and a respected former prime minister and army commander, gave a speech in July that many saw as giving the green light for a coup to take place, Chavalit stood on stage with Prem, coup leader Sonthi and military appointed premier Surayud.

But the spoils of victory were not shared with Chavalit, and he lashed back. At first, the former general enlisted Chanapat Na Nakhon, a former member of his now-defunct New Aspiration Party, to lead anti-coup protests against the generals. Then in November, he blasted the junta for taking lavish positions on the boards of state enterprises, and called on them to let Thaksin back in the country. The public tit-for-tat resulted in an awkward face saving meeting with Sonthi and other coup leaders.

Lately, Chavalit has been mentioned as a potential candidate to replace Thaksin atop Thai Rak Thai. Press reports also link him as the prime mover behind allegations that Surayud illegally purchased land in a forest reserve. Besides that, the coup leaders may want to pounce on whispers that Chavalit met with Thaksin last month when he paid a visit to China. Many discount this theory, including the prime minister himself.

In a faxed open letter from Beijing distributed to reporters on Tuesday, Thaksin wrote: "I strongly condemn this act (of bombing) and I swear that I never ever think of hurting the people and destroying the country's credibility for my own political gain…. Even during the time of political conflicts, when people who lost influence and those who were deceived by false information tried to topple my government, I did not resort to the use of force."

Members of anti-coup groups also strongly question the generals' presumption that Thaksin may be directly linked to the bombings. "Chavalit works for Chavalit only," said a member of the anti-coup group White Dove who knows Chanapat. "Thaksin could just sit back and watch this government crumble. They are incompetent. They don't need help from us to make them look bad."

Speculation is also resting on certain elements of the police force. As a former police lieutenant colonel, Thaksin found widespread support in the notoriously force. Immediately after he was kicked out, however, Surayud embarked on an ambitious campaign to reform the Royal Thai Police. A key part of this plan is to decentralize the force to be under the control of provincial governors, and be held accountable by civilian boards.

Top police officials immediately blasted the proposal. "Please, don't treat the police organization with contempt. Give us some respect," Pol Lt-Gen Achirawit Suphanphesat, spokesman of the national police office, told reporters in mid-November. "The day we are transferred to local organizations, the country will go up in flames."

Whether the spokesman meant that literally is unclear, although the distaste for the measures is clear. They come as the army widely expands control of Isoc, which could end up putting the police directly under the control of the military.

"The police are always suspects," Chulalongkorn's Thitinan said. "We are engaging in speculation, which I don't like to do, but one could say that the theory that this was an inside job by disaffected military or disaffected police has great weight."

Besides Chavalit and pro-Thaksin elements of the police or military, analysts are also tossing around the possibility that the bombings may signal a power struggle within the junta. Some members of the self-styled Council for National Security, such as leader Sonthi, appear content just pushing Thaksin out of power. Other leading members, however, such as Saprang, are said to want the junta to completely take down the former prime minister, and change the rules so a strong premier can never rise again.

Saprang has positioned himself to succeed Sonthi as military leader when the latter retires next October. Diplomats have described him as leading a "holier-than-thou" clique of generals who want to destroy Thaksin completely.

Indeed, Saprang has expressed himself far more eloquently than the other generals. And his talk of "good" vs "evil" is reminiscent of US President George W. Bush in his perpetual War on Terror.

"We're sincere," Saprang told The Nation newspaper last month. "If there hadn't been a calamity on the way, we wouldn't have [staged the coup]. We only wanted to defend our motherland, the monarchy and the public interest. We believed that dharma should prevail: that good should subordinate evil, courage should overcome fear."

But Saprang may face a tough challenge for the job from Anupong Paochinda, the First Army chief who proved essentially in securing Bangkok on September 19. The Bangkok Post reported in October that Sonthi was grooming Anupong to be his successor by giving him responsibilities over logistics, a greater task than had been assigned to Saprang.

"At stake is the post of army chief," said a former lawmaker from Thaksin's ruling party who is familiar with the junta members. "Anupong is seen as the real force behind the coup. Saprang is more vocal, but he has no real base. The only way he could be seen as a promising leader is by pushing the country to the brink."

Again, the truth may never present itself. But the many intermingling subplots have perplexed even the most knowledgeable Thailand watchers. While Bangkok's chattering classes may disagree on whodunit, they are near unanimous in saying things will get worse before they get better.

"This year will be a continuation of last year," Thitinan said. "But the stakes are higher."

Source: Asia Sentinel - 4 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

Recent bomb blasts will not affect 24th SEA Games

Secretary General to Olympic Committee of Thailand Maj. Gen. Jareuk Areeratchakarun (จารึก อารีราชการัณย์) believes that the recent bomb attacks in Bangkok will not affect the 24th SEA Games.

Many agencies have expressed concern that there might be effects from the recent bomb blasts on the 24th SEA Games. As Secretary-General to the 24th SEA Games, Maj. Gen. Jareuk is confident that the SEA Games will go smoothly as the incidents are not related to sport sector.

However, security measures should be provided by state authorities, to prevent possible violence. The 24th Southeast Asian Games (also known as SEA Games) will be held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from December 6 to December 16, 2007.

The Thai Olympic Committee is planning the event to coincide with the commemoration of 80th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Officials are studying the possibility of doing the events in multiple venues like what was done in Vietnam and the Philippines.

It would be the sixth time Thailand has hosted the SEA Games.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

Defence Minister insisted no reference to Gen. Chavalit in Bangkok bombings

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somthas insisted that the government and the Council for National Security (CNS) did not cite Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh as the man behind the bombings on December 31st 2006 in Bangkok.

Gen. Boonrawd visited the injured victims from the blasts at Ramathibodi Hospital and donated 3,000 baht to each of them. He later revealed that Royal Thai Army commander-in-chief and CNS chairman Sonthi Boonyaratglin assigned him to take care of this mishap.

He also referred to the statements made by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Gen. Sonthi, saying the person responsible for this act could be the person who has lost certain authority and is capable to discredit the government and the CNS.

The Defence Minister also expressed confidence that the truth will definitely be revealed.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 January 2007

[opalhort]

does somebody know if an English translation of Thaksin's 3-page letter is available somewhere online?

I've got the original Thai version but the handwriting is obviously difficult to read even for my Thai family.

opalhort

[sriracha john]

I saw it too and I guess it's to be expected. Thaksin didn't go very far in the Thai school system and we shouldn't forget Thai is his 2nd language. His mother tongue is Scumian.

Edited January 4, 2007 by sriracha john

[marshbags]

Breaking news extract from the B.Post

Quote:-

Thaksin party 'inciting resentment'

(bangkokpost.com)

Praphan Koonmee, a member of the National Legislative Assembly, this afternoon asked Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont whether and how his government would deal with alleged public incitement by the Thai Rak Thai.

The assemblyman who is opposed to former prime minister Thaksin accused the TRT of opening websites since November to enable members of the public, party supporters and party members to air views against the government and the Council for National Security.

Unquote.

Please go to the following url for the full article.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=115740

He,ll not be happy until he destroys Thai society as it is known.

That,s why he must be stopped from interferring and all you no brainers who think he,s looking after Thailands interest need to re examine your mind set.

If you do not and he succeeds, you will witness untold chaos, misery and censorship ect. ec. ect.,

" Thaksin Style " and that,s a fact, you will do well to take it onboard.

marshbags and concerned.

P.S.

Welcome back S.J. as with J.D you where missed by all Members ( even the no brainers i reckon

( the imput definitely went down, debate wise, that,s for sure. )

Sawadee Pee Mai to you and your Family, Good health, Good Luck and Happy times for you and your loved ones.

Edited January 4, 2007 by marshbags

[LaoPo]

Bangkok warned on more attacks

"Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said it was "highly likely" the attacks were carried out by "men in uniform".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6230297.stm

LaoPo

[Insight]

Did anybody hear the bang on soi Nana last night? I was at the Sukhumvit/Nana intersection and heard what sounded like a firework going off. It was too loud to be a car, but not quite what you'd expect to be an explosion. Needless to say given the current climate, everybody stopped for a minute to have a look. After that, I decided to move, quickly!

A mate who joined me later who also walked past that area a few moments after I did said the area was covered by police.

[asd]

Police nab a man for making false bomb alert

Police arrested a man on Thursday for making a bomb hoax in Thaphra district. The suspect became the first suspect arrested after dozens of bomb hoax were made following the New Year's Eve's bombings.

Prapassorn Pornsurin allegedly confessed he did the bomb hoax because he did not like the coup that ousted his favorite premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, and because he was drunk.

Police claimed Prapassorn confessed that he used his mobile phone to telephone the 191 emergency call on January 3 to claim that an explosive was planted in Thaphra police station and would go off at 9pm.

Bomb squads were deployed to the police station to search for the explosives, but no bomb was found.

Police then asked the 191 operation to trace the caller of the call and found that the caller was allegedly Prapassorn.

He was arrested from his rented house in Chomthong district on Thursday. He allegedly told police that he did not like the coup and he was drunk when he made the telephone call to the 191 unit.

The Nation

-----------------------------------------

Defence Minister Gen. Boonrawd Somthas said the bomb blasts were emotions released by a group of people who had lost their political power.

[sriracha john]

Thanks for the welcome back and New Year wishes, marshbags.

Had a very enjoyable, surprisingly so, journey to Phuket and environs on a beautiful road trip over the holidays. Leaves me only with the Deep South as the 3 remaining Thai provinces with unvisited status.

We all wish you and yours the very best in 2007. May your hearts be joyful and your wishes achieved.

Edited January 4, 2007 by sriracha john

[hammered]

Thanks for the welcome back and New Year wishes, marshbags.

Had a very enjoyable, surprisingly so, journey to Phuket and environs on a beautiful road trip over the holidays. Leaves me only with the Deep South as the 3 remaining Thai provinces with unvisited status.

We all wish you and yours the very best in 2007. May your hearts be joyful and your wishes achieved.

Naratiwat and Yala are incredibly beautiful provinces and they used to be so friendly and laid back even only a few years ago. Unfortunately I doubt the same can be said now. Still worth a visit however.