Thailand explosion
Discussion
This update
http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/aug/17/...
on the Guardian
says the Thais now confirm it was a bomb, made out of a piece of pipe, and set off inside the shrine, not on the motorbike.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/aug/17/...
on the Guardian
says the Thais now confirm it was a bomb, made out of a piece of pipe, and set off inside the shrine, not on the motorbike.
Pesty said:
pork911 said:
its always had a very large muslim population
Always? there has been no real change in its size or prominence on the island anytime recently but hey its what he's noticed on his annual visits during his lifetime getting to know a place so the change must be without rather than within
pork911 said:
Pesty said:
pork911 said:
its always had a very large muslim population
Always? there has been no real change in its size or prominence on the island anytime recently but hey its what he's noticed on his annual visits during his lifetime getting to know a place so the change must be without rather than within
Well, having had a look at the morning papers, seems to be agreed that 12 dead on the scene, 7 died later in hospital and at least 100 injured.
It was 2 pipe bombs, one on a motorcycle, that set off a LPG tank in a taxi next to it as a sympathy blast, and one around a lamp post.
2 more IED's were found that did not detonate.
This is the Erawan Shrine that is one of the most revered Thai shrines for Buddhists, even though it is supposedly a Hindi place, so this is quite a serious affront to Thai Buddhism.
There is also reports that they have pictures of a suspect on CCTV and they are not SE Asian in appearance (so the news says) but are more middle eastern. This, however is unconfirmed.
Yes there is a big civil war down south between the Buddhist government and the Indigenous Malay Muslim population that in the last 3 years alone has claimed over 1'000 lives through bombings very similar to this.
It should also be noted, that the British in part are at fault for this as after the end of WW2, the UK gave the 3 northern provinces of Malaya to Thailand as part of the post war divide up. (another Northern Ireland type moment)
Traffic was as s
t as usual this morning and they had sniffer mutts and mirrors inspecting every car coming into the orafice today, but otherwise all seems normal (i am 1/2km from the site)
Bangkok Pistonheaders reverted to normal form and just went back to the pub muttering something about more beer ...
Sympathies to the families of lost loved ones...
It was 2 pipe bombs, one on a motorcycle, that set off a LPG tank in a taxi next to it as a sympathy blast, and one around a lamp post.
2 more IED's were found that did not detonate.
This is the Erawan Shrine that is one of the most revered Thai shrines for Buddhists, even though it is supposedly a Hindi place, so this is quite a serious affront to Thai Buddhism.
There is also reports that they have pictures of a suspect on CCTV and they are not SE Asian in appearance (so the news says) but are more middle eastern. This, however is unconfirmed.
Yes there is a big civil war down south between the Buddhist government and the Indigenous Malay Muslim population that in the last 3 years alone has claimed over 1'000 lives through bombings very similar to this.
It should also be noted, that the British in part are at fault for this as after the end of WW2, the UK gave the 3 northern provinces of Malaya to Thailand as part of the post war divide up. (another Northern Ireland type moment)
Traffic was as s
t as usual this morning and they had sniffer mutts and mirrors inspecting every car coming into the orafice today, but otherwise all seems normal (i am 1/2km from the site) Bangkok Pistonheaders reverted to normal form and just went back to the pub muttering something about more beer ...
Sympathies to the families of lost loved ones...
Just spoke to my Thai mate who is convinced it's internal Thai politics rather than either southern Muslims or anything to do with the middle east.
His (fairly sound seeming) reasoning being that the Muslims have no history of attacking Bangkok, and would have have claimed responsibility by now if they had.
The political factions that were ousted in last years coup would have the objective of causing maximum disruption, which a bomb in a major tourist area would certainly do. That area is also part of the royal estate, right next to the premium hotel area and the Siam shopping district, which is as close as Bangkok really has to a centre point, and under the BTS/Sky Train near Siam. While not overtly republican there are definite anti-royal tendencies among the "red shirts" and there have been other attacks in this area. It's the area occupied by the red shirts in 2010. They can't claim responsibility as this will alienate too many ordinary Thais, but the climate of disruption and instability serves to undermine the current regime.
The other possibility seems to be a Chinese group - Thailand did repatriate a number of Uighurs recently, and the site is heavily visited by Chinese tourists. It seems a bit strange for them to attack a site in a different country a long way from where they are based though.
His (fairly sound seeming) reasoning being that the Muslims have no history of attacking Bangkok, and would have have claimed responsibility by now if they had.
The political factions that were ousted in last years coup would have the objective of causing maximum disruption, which a bomb in a major tourist area would certainly do. That area is also part of the royal estate, right next to the premium hotel area and the Siam shopping district, which is as close as Bangkok really has to a centre point, and under the BTS/Sky Train near Siam. While not overtly republican there are definite anti-royal tendencies among the "red shirts" and there have been other attacks in this area. It's the area occupied by the red shirts in 2010. They can't claim responsibility as this will alienate too many ordinary Thais, but the climate of disruption and instability serves to undermine the current regime.
The other possibility seems to be a Chinese group - Thailand did repatriate a number of Uighurs recently, and the site is heavily visited by Chinese tourists. It seems a bit strange for them to attack a site in a different country a long way from where they are based though.
Edited by AJS- on Tuesday 18th August 06:44
with the confusion and obtrusion that is Thai Politics, this would not surprise me at all, and would explain why no-one wants to put their name to it. Naturally the location itself makes it very difficult to discuss here what with the lese majeste rules here and the potential for offending various religions, cultural or political groups.
Also an interesting point as a retaliation on china and on Thailand repatriating the uyghur's, especially as the wounded list seems to be all Chinese nationals bar 2.
Whatever is happening, they bloody better not go anywhere near Nana
Also an interesting point as a retaliation on china and on Thailand repatriating the uyghur's, especially as the wounded list seems to be all Chinese nationals bar 2.
Whatever is happening, they bloody better not go anywhere near Nana
XJSJohn said:
There is also reports that they have pictures of a suspect on CCTV and they are not SE Asian in appearance (so the news says) but are more middle eastern. This, however is unconfirmed.
There are cctv images here from a Thai media source.http://www.dailynews.co.th/crime/342392
The more visible perpetrators may have been paid to do the dirty work of others so there's still a long way to go. Apparently the suspect shown at the link was seen leaving a rucksack at the scene then departing the area before the blast. Also the yellow T-shirt could be classic misdirection if this suspect does turn out to be linked to the atrocity.
reports of another bomb today ......
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/123683
edit - this link has video ...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/659988/bo...
3 very lucky people there ....
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/123683
edit - this link has video ...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/659988/bo...
3 very lucky people there ....
Edited by XJSJohn on Tuesday 18th August 09:12
XJSJohn said:
It should also be noted, that the British in part are at fault for this as after the end of WW2, the UK gave the 3 northern provinces of Malaya to Thailand as part of the post war divide up. (another Northern Ireland type moment)
Yup, partitioning did a lot of very long term damage post Empire.From Yes Minister:
We made the real mistake giving them their independence.
Wasn't that right? Wind of change and all?
Yes, but not that way. We should have partitioned the island.
Like we did in India, Cyprus and Palestine? And Ireland?
Yes, that was our invariable practice with the colonies. It always worked.
But didn't partition always lead to civil war?
As in India, Cyprus, Palestine and Ireland. Yes, but it kept them busy. Instead of fighting other people, they fought each other.
Yes, rather good. Saved us having a policy.
Vaud said:
XJSJohn said:
It should also be noted, that the British in part are at fault for this as after the end of WW2, the UK gave the 3 northern provinces of Malaya to Thailand as part of the post war divide up. (another Northern Ireland type moment)
Yup, partitioning did a lot of very long term damage post Empire.From Yes Minister:
We made the real mistake giving them their independence.
Wasn't that right? Wind of change and all?
Yes, but not that way. We should have partitioned the island.
Like we did in India, Cyprus and Palestine? And Ireland?
Yes, that was our invariable practice with the colonies. It always worked.
But didn't partition always lead to civil war?
As in India, Cyprus, Palestine and Ireland. Yes, but it kept them busy. Instead of fighting other people, they fought each other.
Yes, rather good. Saved us having a policy.
Sir Humphrey Appleby had some great quotes
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