Acid attack on foreigners at Bangkok train station

[PeteC]

I was hoping these type of things would stay away from here, at least a bit longer. No such luck, the crazies have found Thailand. The story is not specific but I assume the other two cases the hospital mention were foreigners as well. I guess there could be more given only one hospital made a statement. Depressing to say the least. Pete

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... -sukhumvit

Acid attack on foreigners at train station

Published: 16/09/2011 at 11:42 AM
Online news:

A female foreign artist, Elizabeth Briel, reported on twitter on Friday that she and her husband had acid sprayed at their faces at the Asoke skytrain station last night.

She said the acid was directed at them from the stairway leading to the station near Robinson shopping mall.

Mrs Briel said her husband's eyes were damaged but would be okay, while she has a burnt scalp.

They were treated at Bumrungrad hospital.

The hospital said this is the third case they have seen lately.

[Spitfire]

The problem I see with this is.....

What is the motive?

I can't see it being robbery, even though train/subway networks do attract a lot of garbage.

So, what does that leave? Simply a malicious racist attack?

Admittedly, pretty women (and the artist is I guess) attract attention from all kinds of tw@ts everywhere.

There's some real weird sickos around.

[Takiap]

Well, I just hope Thailand follow the example of India, where the victim can call for an "eye for an eye" sentencing. Pour acid on me, and if you get caught, you get the acid treatment as well. I guess such justice would be very effective, especially if televised for all to see. To give Thailand credit where it's due though, I think the BIB will be under a lot of pressure to catch those responsible. My guess it's youngsters with nothing better to do, and I also doubt only tourists are targets. Don't forget, very few Thais can afford to go to 5 star hospitals, and I suspect many provincial hospitals wouldn't bother reporting such cases, but instead leave it up to the victims.

[STEVE G]

Well I'm coming out to Thailand over the weekend and I was thinking of trying the new airport rail link but if that is the sort of welcome you can expect on Bangkoks rail system, I think I'll book a taxi.

[hhfarang]

But Thailand is a great place to bring your bride for a honeymoon...

Sorry, couldn't help myself... I'll close the door on my way out...

[sateeb]

Don't forget your coat

[Spitfire]

Funny HHF, maybe in a year or so you'll be able challenge SM67 for 'Un-PC Crown'.................well, maybe!

[pharvey]

Would be a dreadful thing if attacks on foreigners were to become more than an isolated incident in LOS. Having been brought up in Africa, and later living and working in Asia for 20 years or so, I have fair experience of racism .... and also the opposite and the great side of traveling!!

In my experience, Thai's are way down the list as racists when compared to their Asian cousins..... What this is IMHO is young tw@ts with zero ethics/poor upbringing who need an ''education''. I truly hope that this will be stamped on, but I fear it is another ''Rich Kid'' problem...

[Spitfire]

Thai's are way down the list as racists when compared to their Asian cousins

Not when it comes to the Burmese/Lao/Khmer and beyond etc man...............it's pretty vicious really.

Compared to those of European decent.............then maybe.

[pharvey]

Thai's are way down the list as racists when compared to their Asian cousins

Not when it comes to the Burmese/Lao/Khmer and beyond etc man...............it's pretty vicious really.

Compared to those of European decent.............then maybe.

I stand corrected SF - but I was referring to Asians vs Westerners/Aus/NZ etc. Asians vs Asians.... different kettle of fish. Sorry, should have been more clear.

[EDIT] I would also add that 9some) of the Japanese and (some) of the Chinese are probably the most racist I have ever met. However, I'll also add that I've had great times in both countries and met great, great people also.

[Takiap]

Well I'm coming out to Thailand over the weekend and I was thinking of trying the new airport rail link but if that is the sort of welcome you can expect on Bangkoks rail system, I think I'll book a taxi.

Personally, I think you have more chance of getting killed in a taxi than you have getting acid thrown on you, considering how most taxi drivers drive.......lol.

Seriously though.....nothing to worry about; at least not yet.

[Takiap]

Having been brought up in Africa, and later living and working in Asia for 20 years or so, I have fair experience of racism .... and also the opposite and the great side of traveling!!

My sentiments exactly. Where about in Africa were you brought up? Oh, and about your signature......get over it. Nobody need be ashamed of being beaten by the best.....lol.

[margaretcarnes]

The problem I see with this is.....

What is the motive?

I can't see it being robbery, even though train/subway networks do attract a lot of garbage.

So, what does that leave? Simply a malicious racist attack?

Admittedly, pretty women (and the artist is I guess) attract attention from all kinds of tw@ts everywhere.

There's some real weird sickos around.

I rarely rise to the bait with sexist comments but that one takes the biscuit Spitfire! So was the womans' husband pretty as well? Oh no - maybe he wasn't an artist - only artists are pretty? For Buddhas sake!
Rant over - seriously there seems absolutely no reason other than stupid mindless 'what can we do of an evening for a change' behaviour which you wouldn't normally expect to see in the LOS (despite all the other daft things we do expect to see which we don't have space for here.)
And another thing - a year ago there were Kalshnikoved cops guarding that subway entrance. OK they were still expecting Red trouble, but wouldn't it be good to have armed guards at all subway entrances all the time? (Oh - I forget - maybe they were asleep/eating/squeezing zits at the time.))

[STEVE G]

Well I'm coming out to Thailand over the weekend and I was thinking of trying the new airport rail link but if that is the sort of welcome you can expect on Bangkoks rail system, I think I'll book a taxi.

Personally, I think you have more chance of getting killed in a taxi than you have getting acid thrown on you, considering how most taxi drivers drive.......lol.

Seriously though.....nothing to worry about; at least not yet.

I agree that it's unlikely but I've had the same taxi driver pick me up for the last few years and he's neither killed me or thrown acid at me yet, so I'll stick with that.