Pattaya Daily News

Published : July 26, 2010 :: 10:07:29 [ 2,347 views ]

A bomb blast in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong business district resulted in the death of one commuter and serious injury of ten others on Sunday evening. At present, police speculate that the explosion was detonated remotely and positioned in a pile of trash adjacent to a popular bus stop.

Bangkok, the 25^th of July 2010: Ten people, including two women and eight men, were seriously injured and one died after a bomb exploded in front of the Big C department store in Ratchadamri. Due in part to the closure of the Big C Department Store, partially destroyed in the riotous end to the recent two-month long political protests, the area was not as crowded as usual. Hundreds of shoppers, workers and innocent civilians usually congregate in the area around the bus stop, positioned in the heart of Bangkok’s business district.

Following the blast, detonated in a nearby rubbish pile at approximately 6:00pm, the injured were sent to nearby hospitals, with two reported to be in a critical condition, one later dying of his injuries. Two buses were also damaged as a result of the blast whilst a bus driver is believed to be amongst the injured.

Police Major-General Anuchai Lekbumrung (Metropolitan Police Division 5 Commander), heading investigations, revealed that the bomb was almost certainly detonated remotely, with several witness reportedly hearing “electrical noises” seconds prior to the blast.

The areas around the bus stop, including all four lanes of traffic between the Ratchaprasong and Pratunam intersections have been cordoned off while investigations continue. Nearby street stalls and businesses have also closed for fear of further attacks.

Sunday’s blast follows the explosion at the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters on the 22^nd of June, since linked to a group of anti-government Red Shirt activists. The Red Shirts activists responsible for the June attack reportedly became disillusioned with the governments action over the April/May protests and the killing of Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Sae Daeng.

Various reports of underground movements within the Red Shirts, who hold large sects of popularity in Thailand’s poor north and northeastern provinces, have increasingly appeared following the bloody end to 10-week protests on the 19^th of May. This most recent disturbance, although not linked to the Red Shirts, happens as the government continues to enforce the emergency decree on 15 provinces throughout the nation, including Bangkok.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in his early morning broadcast on Sunday, prior to the bombing, reiterated that the emergency decree would continue in 15 provinces, gradually being lifted as security agencies report that numerous “anti-government elements” are still infiltrating certain regions.

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Type : Thailand News
Story : John Weston
Photo : Internet

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