Gaybutton Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 One Dead, 10 Injured in Bombings, Gunshots at PAD Protest Site, Judge's Home BANGKOK, Oct 30 (TNA) The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protester's rally site at Makhawan Rangsan Bridge on Ratchadamnern Avenue was disrupted by a bomb, with 10 persons wounded, and one man was found dead near the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters, nearby. Meanwhile, a second bomb exploded at Constitution Court judge Charan Pakdeethanakul's home causing minor damage but no injury. Witnesses said that at about 3 am, two suspects drove a motorcycle to the rally site where Peoples' Alliance security personnel had blocked the roads with steel fencing and car tyres. The two men threw a bomb at the protesters' volunteer security guard tent, injuring 10 men, with one being seriously injured and was sent to hospital. The bomb caused a small hole in the ground. Meanwhile, a man identified as Sangwean Rujimola, 46, was found dead on a footpath near the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters not far from Misakawan intersection which was also blocked by the PAD. In the initial inspection, police found a bullet wound in the back of the victim's head, while a bulllet hole was also found in the wall of the police headquarters. Pol. Maj-Gen. Anan Srihiran, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, inspected the scene and said police would question Mr. Sangwean's relatives regarding why he went to the rally site. Gen. Anan added that the police did not conclude that the victim was shot by PAD's volunteer security personnel. The police general said witnesses reported seeing Mr. Sangwean drinking alcohol with friends. The victim appeared to be intoxicated before walking alone and verbally scolding PAD supporters. After that some 10 gunshots were heard during the night before he was found dead. At about midnight, a bomb was thrown into the residence compound of Constitution Court judge Charan at Soi Soi Preedee-Phanomyong 45 in Bangkok, causing minor damage, but no injuries. At the time of the attack, Judge Charan was in the house. The explosion caused a 30 centimetre wide hole in the lawn and some window were shattered. Forensic police were dispatched to collect evidence Thursday morning. (TNA) ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ 10 Injured in Bomb Attack Against PAD By The Nation 10 injured, an explosion damaged Constitution Court Judge Jaral's house, gunfire heard near Government House, one man found dead near Metropolitan police head office A grenade was lobbed against security guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy at the Makkhawan Rungsan Bridge early Thursday morning, injuring ten of them. The PAD guards filed complaints with police that the attack at the Makkhawan bridge came at about 3 am. Pol Captain Pomphet Chotklang of Nangloeng police station said the bomb was an M26 grenade. A safety pin was found at the scene. The bomb caused a small hole on the ground. Six guards were rushed to the Vajira Hospital. One of them was severely injured. He is identified as Sathien Thapmaliphol, 43. Four other guards received minor injuries and received treatment by the PAD medics. PAD guards told police that the captured a man at 2 am after he carried a shirt soaked with petrol walking to the rally site at the Makkhawan Bridget. Shortly after the man was captured, a motorcycle arrived and the pillion rider threw the bomb at the PAD guards. Following the attack, the PAD stepped up security at the site. About an hour after the bomb attack, a few gun shots were heard near the Government House. At about midnight, a bomb was lobbed into the compound of the house of Constitution Court judge Jaral Phakdeethanakul, causing some damages. No one was injured in the attack happened at Jaral's house on Soi Pridi Phanomyong in Bangkok's Klong Tan district. Bomb disposal officers have yet to determined the type of the bomb. Police Sub-Lt Somchai Saraket of Klong Tan police station quoted Jaral as saying he heard something falling on the roof and heard an explosion two minutes later. The explosion caused a 50-cm-wide and 25-cm-deep hole in the lawn and shattered some window glasses as well as damaging an air-condition unit. At about 5:30 am, police said a man clad in black was found dead on the a sidewalk about 50 metres away from the Misakawan Intersection behind the Metropolitan Police head office. A policeman, who was stationed to keep security near the area, said he saw the man walking through the police line at 4 am heading to the Government House. The man, Sungwian Rujimora, 46, appeared drunk and was heard saying "fight them". He was found hundreds of metres away from the Government House. Police said he was shot and beaten with hard objects. ____________________ and this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Explosion at PAD Nine people were wounded, one seriously, when someone threw an explosive among anti-government protesters at Makkhawan Bridge near the Government House. The bomb was lobbed at around 3:30am from outside the gathering of members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who have been staging anti-government protests since May 25 around the Makkahawan Rangsan Bridge, site of the explosion. The target appeared to be a "forward post" used by internal security guards of the PAD movement, which has established its current headquarters inside nearby Government House. PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang blamed the attack on the government. He said that the attack would not stop the PAD from marching on the British Embassy in Bangkok on Thursday to demand the extradition of Thai former premier Thaksin Shinwatara. Khanit Sapitak, commander of the First Army region in and around Bangkok, described the explosive as a bomb, and denied any connection with the army. Lt-Gen Khanit said he has contacted the police to investigate. Army specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, an outspoken anti-PAD activist, also denied any involvement in the bombing. He said, however that it is now time for the PAD supporters to leave Government House. He added that he believes the PAD faces "a group of enemies" who are adopting guerrilla techniques. He also said that PAD guards will die every day if the group does not withdraw from the Government House. Maj-Gen Khattiya said there are many groups that are unhappy with the PAD seizure and occupation of Government House, and its response against high-ranking officials who have came out to warn the group for the occupation. Quote
Guest gay_grampa Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 Anyone not familiar with Bangkok or Thai politics might, from reading these reports, get the impression that the streets are rivers of blood and that the capital in turning in to Beirut. Nothing could be further from the truth. (Yes, I know Bangkok & Beirut both start with the letter B but that is the only similarity) What none of the reporters say is that these are isolated incidents of violence all confined to the small area around Government House and the Democracy Monument. It is a small area of Bangkok and the rest of the capital remains blissfully unaffected by the activities of the protesters. Tourists are free to go wherever they want: the attractions and shopping malls remain open and the bars, restaurants and discos are still full of eager boys. Visitors need not worry about getting caught up in any trouble as long as they stay away from that small area near Government House (which, by the way, has no gay bars or other nightlife attractions). If anything the trouble at Government House is having a positive effect on nightlife because the police are now preoccupied with the PAD and are not going around closing the bars and discos dead on time. Tourists will still have a great time in Bangkok and are still very welcome. Quote
KhorTose Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 Tourists will still have a great time in Bangkok and are still very welcome. You mean all three toursit in Bangkok are presently safe. My friend who attends a Bangkok University for his MBA tells me that it is starting to spread to the Universities. This does not appear to be going away and I, for one, have noticed a steady escalation of the protests and violence. I am stuck in the USA so my information is second hand, but even as a Thailand regular I am beginning to wonder how far is this going to go? Quote
Guest gay_grampa Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 I am stuck in the USA so my information is second hand, but even as a Thailand regular I am beginning to wonder how far is this going to go? Since you are "stuck in the USA" I expect that you will believe who you want to believe. Here in Bangkok I see no sign of any disturbances and still feel perfectly safe anywhere I go. We all rely on the news media and they will print what sells ... the facts are often a lot different. Quote
Gaybutton Posted October 30, 2008 Author Posted October 30, 2008 Gay Grampa is correct. The news media makes it appear as if all of Thailand, especially Bangkok, is becoming embroiled in a civil war. It simply is not true. Even in Bangkok, unless you go to the isolated areas where all of this is taking place, you wouldn't know anything is going on unless you watch it on TV or read about it in the newspapers. To me, the really sad part is the number of tourists who are going elsewhere other than Thailand. This evening some friends and I ate at the Amor Restaurant in Boyztown, in Pattaya. There were only about 10 farang visible in Boyztown at all this evening, and we were there for two and a half hours. And this is the beginning of high season. It wasn't this bad during low season. The problem with Thai politics is that those who are directly involved are literally ruining the lives of those who have nothing to do with it, but end up suffering the most because of it. Tomorrow is the end of the month. I hope the gay venues have enough money to pay the boys. Tomorrow is supposed to be their pay day. Considering the lack of customers I hope the boys are able to receive their salaries instead of receiving excuses as to why there is no money to pay them. Quote
KhorTose Posted October 31, 2008 Posted October 31, 2008 My report came from a friend at a Thai University, not the newspapers, and he is starting to get worried. This is the #1 topic on the campuses and gives every appearance--according to him---of spreading and growing into a true revolution with the supporters of the government fighting the supporters of the king. I really hope you two are correct, but him being worried is getting me worried. Quote
Gaybutton Posted October 31, 2008 Author Posted October 31, 2008 My report came from a friend at a Thai University, not the newspapers, and he is starting to get worried. This is the #1 topic on the campuses and gives every appearance--according to him---of spreading and growing into a true revolution with the supporters of the government fighting the supporters of the king. I really hope you two are correct, but him being worried is getting me worried. I can't say that I blame you, but so far nothing has happened to anyone other than those directly and intentionally involved in this upheaval. Here in Pattaya life is going on as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening at all. I expect to be in Bangkok myself at some point next week. I'll post what I personally observe. I hope others who are currently in Bangkok will do the same. I would hate for people to cancel their trip to Thailand because of fears if it turns out there was really no need for a holiday maker to worry. If it helps, consider that the PAD is going after government buildings. They're not going after the Bangkok gay venues, although they did stage a protest at the British embassy, demanding that Thaksin be extradited and forced to return to Thailand to stand trial. Quote
