Comments on: Bomb attack in Bangkok

Bomb attack in Bangkok

Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 06:54:36 -0800

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.

By: Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese

Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 06:59:36 -0800

Oops, the second link was meant to go to the Bangkok Post.

By: Balisong

Balisong — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:18:53 -0800

The Ghost of Saddam's Rockin' Shockin' Awe New Years Eve!

By: Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese

Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:22:20 -0800

It's Thailand, Balisong, not Iraq.

By: Balisong

Balisong — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:26:29 -0800

Oh, yeah. But who do we blame, then? Al Queda?

By: Balisong

Balisong — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:28:26 -0800

Oh, OK. Blame the "Old Power Clique".

By: wendell

wendell — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:29:30 -0800

I blame Murray Head.

By: wendell

wendell — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:31:13 -0800

And you expect accurate geography from Bali of Colorado?

By: Balisong

Balisong — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:34:20 -0800

It all looks like snow from here.

By: Ugandan Discussions

Ugandan Discussions — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:38:41 -0800

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

By: Balisong

Balisong — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:38:53 -0800

"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?

By: phaedon

phaedon — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 07:54:05 -0800

OPC IN DA HIZZIE!

By: Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese

Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 08:15:32 -0800

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.

By: the cuban

the cuban — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 08:17:45 -0800

Thai love Thai.

By: Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese

Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 12:18:32 -0800

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.

By: afx237vi

afx237vi — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 14:36:37 -0800

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.

By: the cuban

the cuban — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 15:19:31 -0800

Word on the street is that it's Thaksin's supporters behind the bombings. I couldn't see him sanctioning something like this.

By: the cydonian

the cydonian — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 07:51:06 -0800

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.

By: the cuban

the cuban — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 08:08:10 -0800

Rubbish. Klong Toey is hardly a tourist hotspot.

By: Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese

Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 12:04:55 -0800

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.

By: tritisan

tritisan — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 22:21:05 -0800

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.