Hua Hin and Thailand bomb attacks

[hhinner]

Wow, "civil war" already. Country wide? Head for the hills, Thailand's burning! In the words of a famous English wartime butcher "Don't panic Mr Mainwaring".

[uncle tom]

I dont think that their main objective is to kill us.

Would be comforting to think so, but what gives you that impression?

Some of the photos of the victims show multiple flesh wounds consistent with a nail bomb attack - you don't pack nails round your IED if you just want to scare people.

(Note: I work with explosives for a living - The biggest hazard to life from an explosion is not the explosive, but what it throws at you)

[hhinner]

I heard a reporter on sky news or BBC news (not sure which) say that the police (must be a more suitable word) said they had intelligence (yes, I know) that something like this was afoot, but had no specifics. But instead of issuing a general warning to be careful, they just kept it quiet hoping it wouldn't eventuate I suppose. Funny how they always say this afterwards.

[Big Boy]

Some of the photos of the victims show multiple flesh wounds consistent with a nail bomb attack - you don't pack nails round your IED if you just want to scare people.

Sky News was saying it was ball bearings, which I would imagine are just as bad (not trying to be argumentative). They showed a metal table that had been hit - it was like a sieve.

[oakdale160]

OK Uncle T, good point. The KSbombing was inept.(praise be to god) The area Fisherman's wharf is PACKED on Friday night, they exploded their truck ina parking garage adjacent to FW in the afternoon.

[HHTel]

Seems the one at the railway station was just someone's bag that had been left behind. The two at the hospital and the one at Makro were apparantly real.

Just got back from BKK. Went out via the klong road which was a nightmare as Petchakasem was closed.

Coming back into HH was wierd. Like a ghost town. Never seen it like this since I arrived here many years ago. Complete lockdown with all supermarkets closed, Market Village, night market, Cicada, food courts and more....
Traffic was almost zero. Really strange feeling

[HHTel]

Incidentally, I notice that there have been no incidents in the red north of Thailand!!

[centermid7]

Unless the owner wanted to have a night away - Bars OPEN!

[oakdale160]

not as many tourist-heavy sites in the north. i am suprised that patty has been spared

[StuartandFon]

Terrible news. Not just the tragedy of death and injury, but the repercussions for HH as a tourist destination for years to come. Never for one moment thought the town would be considered a terrorist target.

What happens next largely depends on who was responsible. It was a well coordinated attack but the size of the bombs and obscure locations indicate the aim was more to injure and scare foreign tourists rather than kill.

I see the police have quickly pointed the finger at the red shirts but such sophisticated planning in areas they are sparse in is surely beyond the capabilities and inclination of the red shirt movement. I note they quickly denied responsibility after the BKK bomb and it will be interesting to see if they do so again. It is difficult to see what they gain from it.

The media has pointed the finger at the Muslim seperatists from the South or 'insurgent separatists' as the media calls them, fearful as they are of using the 'M' word. The motives are easier to understand, the locations closer to their homelands and the style similar. However, this would be a dramatic and worrying new tactic as it would surely signify more to come.

Even more worrying would be a claim by IS that they have a cell in Thailand. This is the least likely as the bombs were a bit too amateurish and unspectacular for their preferred style. Yet until someone claims it then none of these can be ruled out.

[JamesWest]

What a day. Here are some photos I took moving around Hun Hin on my motorcycle.

Market Village closed.

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Checking for explosives at Market Village.

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Traffic diverted to do a u turn to go back South at soi 88.

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and to the north from somewhere out of town.

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All clear given at the train station by BDU. EMS and Army remain at the scene.

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Looking East from the train station.

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[JamesWest]

More photos from today.
Bombing victims blood.

Site of last nights fatal explosion this morning.

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[Big Boy]

Thanks JW - appreciated.

[JamesWest]

more photos.

Site of other bombing in Binabaht.

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Security increased at the Marriott. These guards came after me for taking photos.

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[JamesWest]

More photos from todays bombing in Hua Hin.

Deserted Soi Binabaht area with Hilton Hotel in the background.

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Police vehicles line the street in front of headquarters.

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AP reporter talks to local Expats. Hey you can interview me!

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