Bomb attack in Bangkok

December 31, 2006 6:54 AM

Seven bombs rock Bangkok as the New Year's countdown begins. At least two are dead. Is it related to the recent coup? Some photos here.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese (20 comments total)

Oops, the second link was meant to go to the Bangkok Post.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 6:59 AM on December 31, 2006

The Ghost of Saddam's Rockin' Shockin' Awe New Years Eve!
posted by Balisong at 7:18 AM on December 31, 2006

It's Thailand, Balisong, not Iraq.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 7:22 AM on December 31, 2006

Oh, yeah. But who do we blame, then? Al Queda?
posted by Balisong at 7:26 AM on December 31, 2006

Oh, OK. Blame the "Old Power Clique".
posted by Balisong at 7:28 AM on December 31, 2006

I blame Murray Head.
posted by wendell at 7:29 AM on December 31, 2006

And you expect accurate geography from Bali of Colorado?
posted by wendell at 7:31 AM on December 31, 2006

It all looks like snow from here.
posted by Balisong at 7:34 AM on December 31, 2006

This is likely to be linked to the south Thailand insurgency.
posted by Ugandan Discussions at 7:38 AM on December 31, 2006

"Police Commissioner Kowit Wattana, at a televised news conference, said, "Don't be afraid, but be careful," and urged Bangkokians not to cancel New Year's Eve plans."

Don't be afraid? What kind of pre 9-11 world are they living in?
posted by Balisong at 7:38 AM on December 31, 2006

OPC IN DA HIZZIE!
posted by phaedon at 7:54 AM on December 31, 2006

This is likely to be linked to the south Thailand insurgency.

If it is, it would mark a major strategic shift in the insurgents' campaign, as they have never attacked Bangkok before. I can't claim to understand what those guys are thinking, but I would guess if the insurgents did attack BKK they'd try for a much bigger "fuck you" and target the country's top source of income by bombing tourist areas. I think it's more likely it's Thai Rak Thai supporters, as the papers are suggesting.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 8:15 AM on December 31, 2006

Thai love Thai.
posted by the cuban at 8:17 AM on December 31, 2006

Two more bombs explode at Central World, Pratunam

Two more bombs exploded in the heart of Bangkok once the new year started, severely injuring many foreign tourists and some Thais.

The first bomb exploded at the Best Sea Foods restaurant on the Saen Saeb Canal near the Pratunam Pier just seconds after the New Year countdown ended.

Three foreigners and two Thais were injured. One of the foreigners had one leg amputated by the blast. The foreign tourists were having dinner at the restaurant.

The second bomb exploded at a public telephone booth at the pedestrian flyover linking Central World and Kesorn Plaza. Several foreigners were injured and rushed to hospitals.

A suspected bomb was located at the Buddy Bar on Khao Sarn Road about half an hour after midnight and tourists were evacuated from the area.

By 1 am, police also disposed another bomb at the Lumpini Night Bazaar before it explodes.


So they were striking at tourist areas too.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 12:18 PM on December 31, 2006

Meanwhile, 19 people are injured in a bombing at Madrid Airport, as ETA break a nine month ceasefire. But both events involve the wrong type of terrorist, obviously, so barely warrant a passing mention on the evening news.
posted by afx237vi at 2:36 PM on December 31, 2006

Word on the street is that it's Thaksin's supporters behind the bombings. I couldn't see him sanctioning something like this.
posted by the cuban at 3:19 PM on December 31, 2006

Kraftmatic: Going by the article you quoted, I'd say they attacked _only_ tourist areas. Khao San, Pratunam and Lumpini Bazaar are known touristy areas, Khao San in particular is a proper backpacker ghetto with flying bottles and weed every night. Good times, sigh.
posted by the cydonian at 7:51 AM on January 1, 2007

Rubbish.

Klong Toey is hardly a tourist hotspot.
posted by the cuban at 8:08 AM on January 1, 2007

Well, the second round of bombs, the one that happened around midnight, seemed to be placed in tourist areas. But the first round were in places that are mostly locals only, like Klong Toey as the cuban points out, Huay Kwang and Victory Monument.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 12:04 PM on January 1, 2007

Buddy Bar bomb??? Actually, it was a false alert.

Still, that's freaky, because I had been contemplating going there to see the Yokee Playboys that very night. Instead, I was at a big restaurant far from the action. My mother-in-law got a phone call from her son...Bombs in Bangkok?!? We thought it best to pay the bill and go straight home. Very surreal night, even by Thai standards.

My Thai family (I'm American) was especially dismayed to hear that some farang had been injured.
posted by tritisan at 10:21 PM on January 1, 2007