U.S. Embassy Alert re BKK Bombing Incidents

[DivineMadman]

Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Bangkok:  Explosions at Various Locations in Bangkok, Thailand (August 2, 2019)

 

Locations: Various locations

 

Event: Explosions and Suspicious Devices, Friday, August 2, 2019  

 

The U.S. Embassy confirms several small explosions occurred the morning of August 2, 2019 at the following locations in the central business district and outlying areas of Bangkok: the stairs of Chong Nonsi BTS Station, in front of the Mahanakohn Building-King Power, the Chaengwattana Government Complex, Rama IX road, and the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense in Nonthaburi.  Unexploded devices were discovered by authorities at the following locations during the same period: the Administrative Court building in the Chaengwattana Complex.   

 

There are several reported injuries.  No U.S. citizens have been reported as affected, however. 

 

In addition, on the afternoon of August 1, 2019, two suspicious devices were found outside the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters on Rama I road, near the Ratchaprasong shopping district.  

 

Local police and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams are responding to the events and two suspects are reportedly in custody.  

 

Bangkok and nearby locations have seen sporadic, small-scale bombings in recent years.   In most cases, the bombings do not appear intended to cause casualties, but are intended to send political messages during high-visibility events, or political transition periods.

 

Actions to Take: 

·        Stay alert, exercise caution, and be aware of your surroundings. 

·        Notify friends and family of your safety.

·        Monitor local media for updates.

·        Follow instructions of Thai authorities.

 

U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand

American Citizens Services

+66 2 205 4049

+66 2 205 4000 (after hours)

acsbkk@state.gov

State Department - Consular Affairs

+1 888 407 4747 or +1 202 501 4444

[reader]

Echoes of the bombing of the Erawan Shrine four year ago this month.

[spoon]

Chong nongsi station stairs... Been using that to access arena few times before. Hope all the injured speedy recovery. Of all the time, they choose low season time to do, so i do agree that casualties isnt the intention of the explosions

[DivineMadman]

We’ll probably never know, but my guess is that this has to do with the ASEAN meetings going on (including the visit by U.S. Homunculus Secretary of State).  It’s certainly embarrassing for the junta democratically-elected government. 
 

We might expect a bit of an immigration crackdown as always happens after these events. 

[vinapu]

20 minutes ago, DivineMadman said:

 It’s certainly embarrassing for the junta democratically-elected government. 
 

 

you are in joking mood today 

40 minutes ago, spoon said:

 choose low season time to do, so I do agree that casualties isn't the intention of the explosions

choice of venues clearly shows that not tourists were target so DivineMadman is most likely right (particularly about that democratic mandate I haste to add )

[anddy]

in some Thai media there are already reports putting the blame on the "reds", the craftsmanship of the devices supposedly being similar to those involved in incidents in 2006

[reader]

From Channel News Asia

Two suspects arrested after bomb blasts

BANGKOK: Two men from Thailand's insurgency-hit "Deep South" have been arrested in connection to the bomb attacks in Bangkok on Friday (Aug 2), which left four people injured.

The attacks happened as Bangkok hosted a regional security meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their counterparts from world powers including the United States, China and Russia.

None of the blasts on Friday were in the immediate area of the meeting venue.

Thailand - which has a grim history of political violence and is fighting a long-running rebellion in the Muslim-majority south - remains deeply divided after a controversial March election returned military chief Prayut Chan-o-cha to power as the kingdom's first civilian prime minister since the 2014 coup he led.

Mr Prayut told reporters: "there were nine successful or attempted explosions... we haven't ruled out any motives."

Two men from the far south were arrested after wires and ball bearings were found in an inactive device outside Thai police headquarters late Thursday, in what police said was a linked incident.

Police chief Jakthip Chaijinda confirmed the men came the Muslim-majority area bordering Malaysia, which is in the grip of a 15-year insurgency.

But he said it was "too early" to clearly tie them with the rebellion.

Any connection to the insurgency will cause deep alarm in Bangkok, which has failed to win peace in a conflict which has left more than 7,000 dead.

Continues at

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/two-suspects-arrested-bomb-attacks-bangkok-asean-summit-11776778