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[[Image:Bangkok Bombing.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''[[Bangkok Post]]'' front page, [[January 1]] [[2007]]]]
[[Image:Bangkok Bombing.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''[[Bangkok Post]]'' front page, [[January 1]] [[2007]]]]
The '''2006 Bangkok bombings''' occurred on [[December 31]], [[2006]] and [[January 1]], [[2007]], during [[New Year's Eve]] festivities in [[Bangkok]], [[nECKTIE|Thailand]]. Four explosions went off almost simultaneously in different parts of the city at around 6:00 p.m. local time (1100 [[UTC]]), followed by several more explosions within the next 90 minutes. Two more explosions occurred after midnight. In total, eight explosions were reported during the night. As of [[January 1]], [[2007]], three people were confirmed dead and more than 38 injured.<ref name="BBC-Thai PM"/> The next morning, a bomb exploded in a [[mosque]] in [[Chiang Mai]], the largest city in northern Thailand.
The '''2006 Bangkok bombings''' occurred on [[December 31]], [[2006]] and [[January 1]], [[2007]], during [[New Year's Eve]] festivities in [[Bangkok]], [[necktie|Thailand]]. Four explosions went off almost simultaneously in different parts of the city at around 6:00 p.m. local time (1100 [[UTC]]), followed by several more explosions within the next 90 minutes. Two more explosions occurred after midnight. In total, eight explosions were reported during the night. As of [[January 1]], [[2007]], three people were confirmed dead and more than 38 injured.<ref name="BBC-Thai PM"/> The next morning, a bomb exploded in a [[mosque]] in [[Chiang Mai]], the largest city in northern Thailand.


Authorities ordered all public [[New Year's Eve]] events cancelled, including the countdown at the [[CentralWorld]] shopping center and the [[Alms|alms-giving]] at [[Sanam Luang]].<ref name = "AP">[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4436491.html New Year's Eve bombs kill 2 in Bangkok], Associated Press, [[31 December]] [[2006]].</ref>
Authorities ordered all public [[New Year's Eve]] events cancelled, including the countdown at the [[CentralWorld]] shopping center and the [[Alms|alms-giving]] at [[Sanam Luang]].<ref name = "AP">[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4436491.html New Year's Eve bombs kill 2 in Bangkok], Associated Press, [[31 December]] [[2006]].</ref>

Revision as of 21:01, 5 January 2007

For the car bomb found in Bangkok on August 2006, see August 2006 Bangkok car bomb.
For bombing of Prem Tinsulanonda's Bangkok residence in March 2006, see March 2006 Prem Tinsulanonda bombing.
2006 Bangkok Bombings
LocationBangkok, Thailand
Date31 December 2006–1 January 2007
18:00 – 00:05 (UTC+7)
Target8 locations (map) :

• Bus stop (Victory Monument)
• Police post (Saphan Khwai, Phaya Thai District)
• Seacon Square shopping mall
• Market (Khlong Toei district)
• Khae Rai intersection (Nonthaburi Province)
• Police post (Sukhumvit Soi 62)
• Restaurant (Khlong Saen Saeb, Pratunam Pier, near CentralWorld)

• Telephone booth (CentralWorld)
Attack type
Multiple bombings
Deaths3
Injured~ 38
File:Bangkok Bombing.jpg
Bangkok Post front page, January 1 2007

The 2006 Bangkok bombings occurred on December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2007, during New Year's Eve festivities in Bangkok, Thailand. Four explosions went off almost simultaneously in different parts of the city at around 6:00 p.m. local time (1100 UTC), followed by several more explosions within the next 90 minutes. Two more explosions occurred after midnight. In total, eight explosions were reported during the night. As of January 1, 2007, three people were confirmed dead and more than 38 injured.[1] The next morning, a bomb exploded in a mosque in Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand.

Authorities ordered all public New Year's Eve events cancelled, including the countdown at the CentralWorld shopping center and the alms-giving at Sanam Luang.[2]

One man was arrested in Bangkok for carrying an explosive device and Chiang Mai police claimed that the Chiang Mai mosque's janitor confessed to making the bomb. Nobody claimed responsibility for the Bangkok bombings, and both the Thai Rak Thai party and deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra denied involvement.[3] The initials "IRK" were found written in marker in four places at three bomb sites. The IRK is an Afghanistan-trained urban guerilla terrorism unit.[4] Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont stated that the bombs were designed to look like those used by the Southern insurgents, but that closer inspection indicated no link.[5] Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya shrugged off suggestions that the culprits were Muslim terrorists.[6] A meeting between Premier Surayud Chulanont and various security and intelligence agencies on the evening of December 31 failed to officially identify culprits for the attacks.[7] However, on January 1, Surayud announced that the bombings had nothing to do with the southern insurgency, noting that, "I don't think they would come here as they could get lost in Bangkok."[8] Surayud blamed the "old power clique" was behind the bombings. However, he noted that he was not referring only to the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra, but to all those who had lost political power due to the coup.[9] He later backtracked and admitted that his claim that Thaksin-allies were responsible "was just an intelligence analysis" and was based on no solid evidence or information.[10]

Bombings

The Victory Monument, site of one of the bombs

Six explosives went off almost simultaneously in the early evening in Bangkok, killing three and injuring at least 23 people, as revellers were about to start celebrating the New Year's Eve.

  • Victory Monument. Seventeen people were injured. Two Thais died at the hospital from injuries. The bomb was placed in a bus-stop shelter and went off at around 6:00 p.m. A second bomb went off nearby shortly after.[11][12][13] One Hungarian was reported injured.[14] The bomb ripped through the bus stops, shattered windows at the nearby restaurant and sent debris in all directions.
  • Khlong Toei, near the Na Ranong intersection. A bomb hidden in a trash can near a Chinese spirit shrine exploded and injured three people, including a 10-year-old girl. A 61-year-old man died at the hospital from injuries. The explosion caused a secondary explosion in a number of cooking gas cylinders that were situated nearby.[11]
  • Saphan Khwai intersection, Phaya Thai District. Another bomb went off at a police box. Two people were injured. Witnesses saw a man dropping a grenade from a pedestrian bridge onto the police box, seriously injuring 1 person. Residue of C4 and TNT were found at the scene.[11]
  • Seacon Square Shopping Mall, Prawet District. An unexploded bomb was found in a trash can near a gold shop on the first floor inside the mall. It was removed to the carpark where it exploded, creating panic but causing no injuries. Authorities ordered all shoppers to evacuate the mall, one of Bangkok's largest, and all shops to close.[11]
  • Khae Rai intersection, Mueang district, Nonthaburi Province (13°51′31″N 100°31′15″E / 13.85861°N 100.52083°E / 13.85861; 100.52083). A police box was bombed but no injuries were reported.[11]
  • Sukhumvit Soi 62. A police box at the entrance of the soi was bombed, but no injuries were reported.[11]

After these events, New Year's celebrations at CentralWorld and Sanam Luang were cancelled.[15] Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin led the New Year countdown more than three hours early at the CentralWorld party.[16]

Two more bombs exploded almost immediately after midnight in the vicinity of CentralWorld. Three Serbs, two Englishmen, two Thais, and one Irishman were among those injured.

  • Best Sea Foods restaurant on Khlong Saen Saeb near Pratunam Pier and CentralWorld. Three foreigners and two Thais were injured. One of the foreigners' legs was blown off by the blast. The foreign tourists were having dinner at the restaurant.[17][2]
  • A public telephone booth at the pedestrian flyover linking CentralWorld and Gaysorn Plaza. Several foreigners were injured.[17][2]
  • Three additional unexploded bombs were found in the area.[citation needed]
Khaosan Road, where a suspected bomb turned out to be a false alarm

Police investigated several other incidents.

  • A suspected bomb was investigated at the Buddy Bar on Khaosan Road about half an hour after midnight. Tourists had earlier been ordered to leave the area.[17] The bomb report later turned out to be false.[16]
  • By 1 a.m., police disabled another bomb at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar before the bomb could explode.[17][2]

Victims

The wave of bombings claimed three deaths, all of whom where Thai nationals: two individuals were killed at the moment of the explosion, while another died at the hospital. Songkran Kanchana, 36 and Ekkachai Ruangpoom, 26, were at the Victory Monument, while Suvichai Nak-iam, 61, was at Khlong Toei.

An additional 38 persons standing nearby the blast zones were also injured. Amongst the victims, eight foreigners were hurt: 2 British men, 3 Hungarians, 2 Serbs and 1 American.[1].

Location Deaths Injuries
Victory Monument 2 Thai 15 (1 Hungarian, ?)
Khlong Toei 1 Thai 6
Saphan Khwai 0 2
Seacon Square Shopping Mall 0 0
Khae Rai Intersection (Template:Lang-th) 0 0
Sukhumvit Soi 62 0 0
CentralWorld (Best Sea Foods restaurant) 0 2 Thais
3 foreigners
CentralWorld (pedestrian flyover) 0 6 foreigners
Total 3 ~38

Forensic evidence

Police General Ajiravid Subarnbhesaj claimed that all eight bombs were placed in 3x5-inch boxes and detonated by digital alarm clock. Traces of M4 high explosive booster were found in all of the bombs.[18] Other military ordinance sources claimed the bombs were all Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO)/M4 bombs.[19] This would make the bombs the same type as found in a car outside of Thaksin Shinawatra residence in August 2006 .

The police were criticized for barring Central Institute of Forensic Science acting director Pornthip Rojanasunand from collecting evidence from a bombing site in Pratunam. She called the police unprofessional because they mainly focused on the type of bomb that was used, rather than the identity of the bombers, and let city cleaners clean the site before collection of evidence was completed.[20]

Premier Surayud ruled out involvement of Southern insurgents. He noted that forensic reports showed that the bombs were assembled to look like those used by the Southern insurgents but that detailed examination of the explosions and modus operandi indicated no link.[5]

Responsibility

Forewarning of the bombings

Authorities had earlier warned of an escalation of the South Thailand insurgency during the New Year period.[21]

Thai Military Intelligence and the Special Branch received intelligence that there would be bombs in up to 30 places in Bangkok and surrounding areas, particularly popular shopping malls like Siam Paragon, The Mall Bang Kapi, and Seacon Square.[22]

Identity of the bombers

Nobody claimed responsibility for the bombings, and both the Thai Rak Thai party and deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra denied involvement.[3]

The initials "IRK" were found written in marker in four places at three bomb sites: a pillar near a bus stop at Victory Monument, a phone booth near Gaysorn shopping mall opposite CentralWorld, a phone booth near Pratunam Pier, and a phone booth near Big C Ratchadamri. The IRK is a an Afghanistan-trained urban guerilla terrorism unit. However, Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya shrugged off suggestions that the culprits were Muslim militants.[23] Senior junta leadership agreed that Muslim terrorists were not involved, and that the initials were meant to frame the IRK and muddy the waters.[24] Police claimed the "IRK" graffiti was the work of teenage gangs attempting to scare the public.[25]

The junta attributed the bombings to various groups. Government security sources blamed the "old power clique," a possible reference to members of the government of deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra.[26] Other security sources said that the bombings might provide the junta with reason to seize Thaksin's sizable personal assets.[27] The Thai Rak Thai party denied orchestrating the bombings and warned the junta not to point fingers without facts.[28] "Based on the government's information and intelligence agencies, it was the work of people who lost power, but I cannot clearly say which group was behind it," he said.[29]

Anti-Thaksin newspaper editor Sondhi Limthongkul said he believed the bombings were orchestrated by "undercurrents", supporters of the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra, who wanted to discredit the junta, but he cited no evidence.[30]

A meeting between Premier Surayud Chulanont and various security and intelligence agencies on the evening of December 31 failed to officially identify culprits for the attacks.[31]

However, on January 1, Surayud announced that the bombings had nothing to do with the southern insurgency, noting that, "I don't think they would come here as they could get lost in Bangkok."[32] He claimed that the "old power clique" was the mastermind. He claimed that he was not referring only to the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra, but to all those who had lost political power due to the coup.[33] Surayud later backtracked and admitted that his claim that Thaksin-allies were responsible "was just an intelligence analysis" and was based on no solid evidence or information.[34]

Junta vice chairman Saprang Kalayanamitr claimed, "The evidence and intelligence information proves that the bombs were the dirty work of politicians who lost power and benefits. Some bad soldiers loyal to the bad politicians collaborated with them with the intention to topple this government." He also claimed that, "the bandits and terrorist groups in southern Thailand had no links or connections to the bombs in Bangkok."[35] Saprang was harshly criticized by Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, a former military officer who was a member of the deposed Thai Rak Thai government. Chavalit dared Saprang to arrest all the culprits behind the bombing. "Saprang Kalayanamitr claimed he already had pertinent information on the bombing, but he failed to take any action. This is gross incompetence," Chavalit said. He said the CNS should examine among its ranks if it truly wanted to solve the case, alluding to speculation that the military had staged the bombing in order to justify its grab for power.[36]

Conflict between junta assistant secretary General Saprang Kalayamitr and First Army Region commander and Lt General Prayuth Chan-ocha were cited as a possible causes of the bombings and the coup rumors. Both men are potential heirs to the leadership of the junta after Sonthi Boonyaratkalin retires in September 2007.[37]

A public opinion poll conducted by ABAC revealed that a majority of Bangkokians did not believe the junta's claim that the deposed government was behind the bombings. Just 11% said that they had "full confidence" that the governmentc could handle the crisis.[38]

Aftermath

Further bombings

At 8.45 AM on January 1, 2007, a motorcycle rider threw an improvised bomb into a mosque in Chang Klan Road in Chiang Mai, injuring four people, including the Burmese janitor, Nasis Ahamad. The mosque keeper claimed that a grenade had been lobbed in, but an army bomb expert claimed the blast was caused by the premature explosion of a bomb being built by the mosque keeper.[39][40]

Police later claimed that Nasis Ahamad confessed to carrying the small home-made bomb to the mosque then accidentally dropping it on the floor, causing it to explode. However, police are still investigating Nasis' motive for carrying the bomb, and have not yet charged Nasis, who is still in hospital, with any offence. Police reported their findings to community leaders, but were met with disbelief that a Muslim would bring a bomb into the mosque.[41]

Security measures and junta responses

Several foreign embassies issued travel warnings to their citizens in Bangkok warning that further attacks are possible.[42]

The junta ordered the military to the streets of Bangkok to control the situation. 6,000 checkpoints were setup throughout Bangkok. Army Commanders for the North, Northeast, and the South are placed on alert. Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayothin ordered all 50 districts in Bangkok to collect all their rubbish bins.[43][44]

Junta head Sonthi Boonyaratglin cut short his hajj and flew back from Saudi Arabia to meet with the junta leadership in the afternoon of January 1, 2007[45] Later on that same day, assistant police commissioner Jongrak Juthanon was assigned to lead an investigation into the deadly incidents.[46]

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration initiated plans to spend 186 million baht on installing 1,628 close-circuit television cameras throughout the capital in 2007. 504 cameras would be placed at flyovers and low population locations, while 1,124 cameras would be placed in more populated places like bus terminals and intersections.[47]

Coup rumors

Rumors that the junta would use the bombings as a pretext to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont abounded. Junta leader Sonthi went on television to deny the rumors. "We love the people too much to do it," he said.[48][49]

Economic impact

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index fell 3.2% the day after the exchange opened after the New Year holiday. Thai shares declined another 1.67% on 4 January 2007. The declines followed massive losses in mid-December after the junta briefly introduced capital controls. The Thai baht weakened slightly, trading at 36.15-17 to one US Dollar, against 36.05-10 at the close of trade on Friday.[50][51]

However, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula claimed that the bombings "would not have an impact on this year's GDP."[52]

References

  1. ^ a b BBCNews, Thai PM blames rivals for blasts, January 1 2007
  2. ^ a b c d New Year's Eve bombs kill 2 in Bangkok, Associated Press, 31 December 2006. Cite error: The named reference "AP" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b The Nation, Ousted PM denies involvement in New Year's eve bomb attacks, January 1, 2007 Cite error: The named reference "Thaksindenies" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ Thai Rath, สุรยุทธ์-ประณาม แก๊งป่วน ผู้สูญเสียอํานาจ, 2 January 2007
  5. ^ a b The Nation, Coup leaders tighten grip, 5 January 2007
  6. ^ The Nation, Militants not seen as likely culprits, 2 January 2007
  7. ^ The Nation, Meeting fails to establish culprits of Bangkok bomb attacks: spokesman, January 1, 2007
  8. ^ The Nation, Suspicion falls on Thaksin allies, 2 January 2007
  9. ^ The Nation, Surayud blames old power clique behind Bangkok bomb attacks, January 1 2007
  10. ^ The Nation, Surayud qualifies remarks about bombers, 4 January 2007
  11. ^ a b c d e f The Nation, String of blasts rock Bangkok, killing 2, January 1, 2007.
  12. ^ Festivities off as bombs disrupt Bangkok; two dead, 25 injured, MCOT, December 31, 2006.
  13. ^ The Nation, Bangkok bomb death toll rises to three, 1 January 2007
  14. ^ http://www.2bangkok.com/
  15. ^ The Nation, New Yew countdown cancelled after bombs, January 1, 2007
  16. ^ a b The Age, Two die in Bangkok blasts, January 1 2007.
  17. ^ a b c d The Nation, Two more bombs explode at Central World, Pratunam, January 1, 2007 Cite error: The named reference "Twomore" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  18. ^ The Nation, Who set the bombs? The mystery can only deepen, 2 January 2007
  19. ^ The Nation, Militants not seen as likely culprits, 2 January 2007
  20. ^ Bangkok Post, Police accused of failing to protect public, 2 January 2007
  21. ^ Sunday Herald, Authorities fear new year attacks from militants, December 31 2006
  22. ^ Thai Rath, 1 January 2006
  23. ^ The Nation, Militants not seen as likely culprits, 2 January 2007
  24. ^ Thai Rath, สุรยุทธ์-ประณาม แก๊งป่วน ผู้สูญเสียอํานาจ, 2 January 2007
  25. ^ Bangkok Post, Police rule out 'IRK' graffiti tie-in, 3 January 2007
  26. ^ The Nation, Old power clique suspected of being behind Bangkok bomb attacks: source, January 1 2007
  27. ^ The Nation, CNS may seize Thaksin's assets following bomb attacks: source, January 1 2007
  28. ^ The Nation, TRT denies masterminding bombs, January 1 2007
  29. ^ The Nation, Surayud suspects "power losers", January 1 2007
  30. ^ Manager.com, “สนธิ”ฟันธงฝีมือคลื่นใต้น้ำบึ้มป่วนกรุง สั่งสอน คมช.-รัฐบาล, December 31 2006
  31. ^ The Nation, Meeting fails to establish culprits of Bangkok bomb attacks: spokesman, January 1 2007
  32. ^ The Nation, Suspicion falls on Thaksin allies, 2 January 2007
  33. ^ The Nation, Surayud blames old power clique behind Bangkok bomb attacks, January 1 2007
  34. ^ Cite error: The named reference SurayudBacktracks was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  35. ^ Bangkok Post, Saprang: Renegade officers behind blasts, 3 January 2007
  36. ^ The Nation, Chavalit taunts CNS over inquiry, 4 January 2007
  37. ^ The Nation, Top Boot Politics Sequel II, 5 January 2007
  38. ^ Bangkok Post, Poll: Public skeptical of govt claims, 5 January 2007
  39. ^ The Nation, Grenade lobbed into Chiang Mai mosque, January 1 2007
  40. ^ Bangkok Post, 'Sick' politicians held to blame, 2 January 2007
  41. ^ The Nation, In brief :Victim 'carried mosque bomb', 3 January 2007
  42. ^ The Nation, Foreign embassies issue travel warning on Bangkok, January 1 2007
  43. ^ Thai Rath, 1 January 2007
  44. ^ Matichon, 1 January 2007
  45. ^ The Nation, Sonthi to return to Bangkok this afternoon, January 1, 2007
  46. ^ Bangkok Post, Bomb type identified, chief investigator named, January 1 2007
  47. ^ Bangkok Post, Bangkok plans city-wide security CCTV, 4 January 2007
  48. ^ Bangkok Post, Army chief denies rumour of new coup, 4 January 2007
  49. ^ The Nation, Sonthi goes on TV to deny coup, 5 January 2007
  50. ^ The Nation, Thai shares drop 3.2 percent after Bangkok blasts, 3 January 2007
  51. ^ The Nation, Thai shares close 1.67 per cent lower, 5 January 2007
  52. ^ Bangkok Post, Cabinet to discuss bombing impact, 3 January 2007

See also

Template:Wikinewspar2

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