Seven bombs in Bangkok on New Year's Eve
Dec 31, 2006, 6:07 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: Landry's President's Club, Marriott Silver, Awesomeness EXPLT
Posts: 20,453
4 bombs exploded in bangkok---Cnn International
Just seeing on CNNI that 4+ bombs have exploded somewhere in bangkok.More details to come as I can find them..
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapc...sts/index.html
cheers
howie
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapc...sts/index.html
cheers
howie
Dec 31, 2006, 6:26 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Business class, aisle seat, in Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 161
Seven bombs in Bangkok on New Year's Eve
Originally Posted by The Nation web site ... nationmultimedia.com
Seven Bombs Rock Bangkok, Kill two
Seven explosives went off almost simultaneously in Bangkok, injuring at least 20 people as the revellers were about to start celebrating the New Year's eve.
Two people were killed and 20 injured at the Victory Monument when a powerful bomb went off near a bus station at about 6.30 pm.
One person was dead near the Big C supermarket, Sapan Kwai branch, where witness saw a man dropped a grenade from a pedestrian bridge just over the police box.
At the Klong Toei area near the Na Ranong intersection, around the same time, a bomb hidden in a trash can near a Chinese spirit shrine exploded and injured two bypassers. The explosion caused a secondary explosion to a number of cookinggas cylinders that were situated nearby.
At the Seacon Square Shopping Mall, a loud explosion went off at the parking space, creating a panic but no injury. ...[story continues]
Source: http://nationmultimedia.com
What about travelers coming here?
The common factor is the bombs were not in foreigner or tourist areas of the city.
-- Edit next day: Later bombs were in tourist areas. --
All those areas are crowded markets and bus stations in working-class, Thai areas.
If I were planning to travel to Thailand, I would not abort those plans.
One remarkable aspect of Thai society is the way they continue daily life in the face of adversity or danger.
Their Buddhist premises support a calm fatalism.
The Jihad in Southern Thailand has had bombings and attacks every day for three years, but Bangkok has been remarkably free of the war.
2006 was an important year for Thailand.
It was the 60th anniversary of the accession to the throne of the current king: a sort of Jubilee year.
Seven bombs on New Years Eve are a signal that the unilateral, Jubilee peace has ended.
I expect Muslim attacks will expand to Bangkok, but, of course, only time will tell.
Personally, I'd rather take my chances with Jihadi bombs in Bangkok, than with the Schutzstaffel security apparatus in all Western countries.
I'm staying.
-- Peter
Last edited by Peter4; Jan 1, 2007 at 12:27 am
Dec 31, 2006, 6:40 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Business class, aisle seat, in Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 161
.
Here is another reliable source for information: http://www.2bangkok.com/
That web site is a little delayed compared to the news sites, but it consistently offers calm, carefully considered, reports on current events in Bangkok.
-- Peter
Here is another reliable source for information: http://www.2bangkok.com/
That web site is a little delayed compared to the news sites, but it consistently offers calm, carefully considered, reports on current events in Bangkok.
-- Peter
Dec 31, 2006, 11:05 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: CMH, sometimes AVP, formerly down the Shore
Programs: UA 1K/3MM, AA EXP/3MM, DL MM, former fan of TWA
Posts: 1,854
Three more bombs after the new year... These in areas more frequented by tourists - near Central World Plaza and Khao San Road.
Very unfortunate....
www.nationmultimedia.com for more info.
Very unfortunate....
www.nationmultimedia.com for more info.
Dec 31, 2006, 2:00 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Princeton, NJ; Lviv Ukraine
Programs: UA 3.6MM, AF/KL Lifetime Plat, BA Gold, AA 1MM, IC Spire RA, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, et alia
Posts: 2,732
My best wishes to all Thai people and visitors to Thailand who are affected by this outrage.
The Thais have suffered too much in the past few years: tsunami, earthquake, repeated Islamist offensives, corruption, a weak Government and subsequent coup.
May 2007 be a better year for them.
The Thais have suffered too much in the past few years: tsunami, earthquake, repeated Islamist offensives, corruption, a weak Government and subsequent coup.
May 2007 be a better year for them.
Dec 31, 2006, 3:29 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 201
In addition to suffering ?tsunami, earthquake, repeated Islamist offensives, corruption" Thais have not suffered a weak (Thaksin) government, rather an increasingly dictatorial one squeezing others out of politics and media criticism and forcing nepotistic promotions in key mnistries and military commands.
The present government might be considered weak in light of doing nothing for more than three months other than putting fear into many foreign investors. These latest bombings in Bangkok will increase that fear and concern.
The present government might be considered weak in light of doing nothing for more than three months other than putting fear into many foreign investors. These latest bombings in Bangkok will increase that fear and concern.
Dec 31, 2006, 4:41 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Chiang mai, Thailand
Posts: 239
Twin Bangkok Bombing Waves Kill 2
(BangkokPost.com) 6:30 AM Jan.1, 2007 Bangkok Time
Two people died and more than 30 were wounded including six foreigners as two waves of at least nine bombs and grenades exploded in Bangkok at nightfall and again at midnight.
Authorities cancelled all public New Year's Eve parties in Bangkok. Outdoor parties were also cancelled in Chiang Mai, although no disturbance was reported in the northern city.
After a first wave of six coordinated explosions, three other bombs went off at midnight - one at the famous Khao San Road area for budget travellers, and two near the site of what was to have been the nation's biggest New Year's Eve party, normally telecast live around Thailand and overseas.
Seven people, including six foreigners, were injured in the second bombings just before midnight, although the cancellation of the New Year's Eve celebrations kept the toll down, police said.
Instead of half a million people at the second wave of bombing, there were only relatively few passers-by in the area in front of the shuttered Central World store, formerly known as the World Trade Centre. The worst bomb was at a nearby seafood restaurant, where three foreigners were badly hurt, including one whose leg was torn off by the blast.
Another bomb "exploded in a telephone booth opposite Central World Plaza," where the Bangkok Countdown 2007 was to have taken place, said Pol Col Vanlop Patummaung.
"The injured have been sent to the police hospital," he said. "Six foreigners and one Thai were injured. We don't know when the bomb was placed there, because we had carefully searched the area before the party.
Another bomb exploded on a pier that sits on the klong (canal) beside the plaza at the same time, just before midnight, but no injuries were immediately reported, he said.
TV reports said a man was seen throwing a grenade off a pedestrian overpass near a police box in the Saphan Kwai area of Bangkok, injuring several people in the explosion.
At Seacon Square in eastern Bangkok, Asia's largest mall, an explosion in the outdoor parking lot sent hundreds of shoppers scrambling, but no injurites were reported.
Witnesses told police in some places that they saw people throwing what looked to be grenades shortly before the explosions.
All quiet in Chiang Mai,
Randy and Ning
Two people died and more than 30 were wounded including six foreigners as two waves of at least nine bombs and grenades exploded in Bangkok at nightfall and again at midnight.
Authorities cancelled all public New Year's Eve parties in Bangkok. Outdoor parties were also cancelled in Chiang Mai, although no disturbance was reported in the northern city.
After a first wave of six coordinated explosions, three other bombs went off at midnight - one at the famous Khao San Road area for budget travellers, and two near the site of what was to have been the nation's biggest New Year's Eve party, normally telecast live around Thailand and overseas.
Seven people, including six foreigners, were injured in the second bombings just before midnight, although the cancellation of the New Year's Eve celebrations kept the toll down, police said.
Instead of half a million people at the second wave of bombing, there were only relatively few passers-by in the area in front of the shuttered Central World store, formerly known as the World Trade Centre. The worst bomb was at a nearby seafood restaurant, where three foreigners were badly hurt, including one whose leg was torn off by the blast.
Another bomb "exploded in a telephone booth opposite Central World Plaza," where the Bangkok Countdown 2007 was to have taken place, said Pol Col Vanlop Patummaung.
"The injured have been sent to the police hospital," he said. "Six foreigners and one Thai were injured. We don't know when the bomb was placed there, because we had carefully searched the area before the party.
Another bomb exploded on a pier that sits on the klong (canal) beside the plaza at the same time, just before midnight, but no injuries were immediately reported, he said.
TV reports said a man was seen throwing a grenade off a pedestrian overpass near a police box in the Saphan Kwai area of Bangkok, injuring several people in the explosion.
At Seacon Square in eastern Bangkok, Asia's largest mall, an explosion in the outdoor parking lot sent hundreds of shoppers scrambling, but no injurites were reported.
Witnesses told police in some places that they saw people throwing what looked to be grenades shortly before the explosions.
All quiet in Chiang Mai,
Randy and Ning
Last edited by allthai; Dec 31, 2006 at 4:42 pm Reason: wrong date, changed to 2007
Dec 31, 2006, 9:38 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Darth Vader of AMEX, A ladys best friend of Hilton, Pt78 of SPG, *G ,*S, ANA VIP
Posts: 3,933
well
we are in bangkok right now. i am sure there are more flyertalkers and we only realized that there was a bombing when we were informed by the staff of the banyan tree about the bombs.
we heard something we thought it was a early firework, but this was one of the bombs it seems.
awful to see the terror coming over to bangkok, but as i checked, flamboyrant , dennis and some other flyertalkers are alright.
dp
we heard something we thought it was a early firework, but this was one of the bombs it seems.
awful to see the terror coming over to bangkok, but as i checked, flamboyrant , dennis and some other flyertalkers are alright.
dp
Dec 31, 2006, 10:15 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 170
I'm in Bangkok right now, as well...the gov't. has recommended that people stay "at home." A bit difficult to do when you're in a foreign country.
Police still have no idea, at least they are not saying if they do, who is responsible.
So what's a tourist to do? Cut short a vacation or push aside the uneasiness and resume normal tourist activities?
Police still have no idea, at least they are not saying if they do, who is responsible.
So what's a tourist to do? Cut short a vacation or push aside the uneasiness and resume normal tourist activities?
Dec 31, 2006, 10:21 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: USA
Programs: UA/CO(1K-PLT), AA(PLT), QR, EK, Marriott(PLT), Hilton(DMND)
Posts: 9,538
I'm in Bangkok right now, as well...the gov't. has recommended that people stay "at home." A bit difficult to do when you're in a foreign country.
Police still have no idea, at least they are not saying if they do, who is responsible.
So what's a tourist to do? Cut short a vacation or push aside the uneasiness and resume normal tourist activities?
Police still have no idea, at least they are not saying if they do, who is responsible.
So what's a tourist to do? Cut short a vacation or push aside the uneasiness and resume normal tourist activities?
Dec 31, 2006, 10:57 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
General concensus as of right now is that this the work of rogue military/police loyal to the previous government hoping to foment unrest. Taking out a few tourists would have the added benefit of impacting tourism.
Again, the big problems here usually do not happen until one to three years after a coup so this just may a blip. But then maybe things are moving faster these days?
The randonmness of being in the wrong place, at the wrong time certainly has me a bit concerned. In the last six days I have been to almost all of the locales bombed.
Last edited by transpac; Dec 31, 2006 at 11:03 pm
Dec 31, 2006, 11:10 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 170
I'm not so much scared about the randomness - just unsure about a security crackdown and how it will impact daily life.
I'm headed to Ko Samui tomorrow so feel quite lucky.
Everyone seems to think the bombs are the work of supporters of the previous, overthrown, government.