Minor bomb explosion in Bangkok

Post by **Norseman** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:52 pm

Getting closer..

Minor explosion at Interior Ministry

BANGKOK, Dec 17 (TNA) -

Unknown persons exploded a bomb at the Ministry of Interior here before dawn Saturday, defacing the ministry's signboard but no significant damage occurred.

Security guards at the ministry were apparently unaware of the bomb being planted.

The small explosive device was detonated in front of the ministry without causing injuries to any persons -- except for the signboard carrying the ministry's name and nearby trees which were slightly damaged.

The incident occurred about 04:00 a.m. and it was still unknown who were responsible for planting the bomb made of common black powder used for
making fireworks, police said.

Declining to comment after inspecting the scene of the incident, Prachathiptai Kumsingnok, Secretary of Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana, said police were gathering evidence and were hunting the bombers.

He urged police to step up security, especially at government offices.

Meanwhile, Pol. Lt. Gen. Viroj Chantrarungsri, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Division, said police would try to hunt down the bombers from pictures taken from closed TV circuit.

Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister, said he believed the bombing was meant to intimidate, rather than harm people.

Negligence by security personnel, if found, is to be blamed, said Pol. Gen. Chitchai, adding that he believed the bombing incident was not related to the ongoing insurgency in Thailand's three troubled southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

Pol. Gen. Chidchai said he would wait for police investigation before making further comments.

Post by **caller** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:56 pm

Maybe the security guards will be expected to stay awake in future? That their job actually entails more than wearing a free uniform and leering at the pretty ladies walking by. Hopefully, it was someone internally using it as a wake up call to the authorities? Or else it could have been a dry run? The trouble is, you don't have a free press to check that the PR is real in any respect? Do they have D notices in LOS? Or is that a silly question?

Post by **Jaime** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:31 am

Is the building where, as a farang, you have to go to get your 'Affirmation of Freedom to Marry' document stamped (takes about two days)? It rings a bell with me. If so it would be a logical target as apart from being a symbol of government it is full of farang getting various documents processed.

Post by **lomuamart** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:54 am

Don't think so, Jaime. That building's The Ministry of Forign Affairs, up near the airport.

Post by **Norseman** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:59 am

I'm not quite sure but I think the bomb was placed in the Dusit District in U-thong Nok Road.

Post by **Jaime** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 4:36 pm

lomuamart wrote:Don't think so, Jaime. That building's The Ministry of Forign Affairs, up near the airport.

Lomu, you are right. It all seems so long ago now....!