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Two dead, 15 hurt in Bangkok explosions City Hall
cancels midnight countdown Police discount link to southern
insurgency
Police
clear the area near the entry to the Klong Toey fresh market where a bomb
exploded in a rubbish bin, killing the caretaker of a Chinese shrine. PHRAKRIT
JUNTAWONG
POST REPORTERS
Bangkok plunged into year-end chaos after six bombs,
five in the city and one in nearby Nonthaburi, exploded almost simultaneously
yesterday evening, killing two people and injuring at least 15, two of them
seriously.
The explosions occurred at a bus stop near the Victory Monument, in a rubbish
bin at the main market in Klong Toey, traffic police booths in Saphan Kwai and
at Sukhumvit Soi 62 and in a parking lot at Seacon Square department store on
Sri Nakharin road.
In Nonthaburi, a bomb blew up a police booth at the Kaerai intersection.
The explosions came within a 15-minute span beginning at the Victory Monument
about 6.30pm.
Those who died were Songkran Kanchana, 36, and Suvichai Nak-iam, 61. Songkran
was injured at Victory Monument. He was pronounced dead at Rajavithi Hospital.
Suvichai, caretaker of a Chinese shrine in Klong Toey, was pronounced dead at
Chulalongkorn Hospital. Two children were also injured in the Klong Toey blast.
It was unclear who were behind the blasts, but police dismissed any
connection with the southern insurgency. Across major web newsboards, the
majority believed the attacks were the work of opponents of the military coup
which ousted Thaksin Shinawatra on Sept 19.
A few hours after the blasts, bomb experts rushed to several spots, including
superstore Big C Ratchadamri and Vibhavadi Rangsit Soi 2, opposite Chamber of
Commerce University, where suspicious objects were reportedly found. Police
spokesman Achirawit Supanphesat later confirmed the blasts at Klong Toey,
Victory Monument and Saphan Kwai injured at least 15 people. It was unclear how
many were wounded at which locations.
An
investigator collects forensic evidence from the bus stop near Victory Monument
where a bomb hidden in a rubbish bin exploded, fatally injuring a passerby.
PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
Those injured at the Victory Monument blast and treated at nearby Rajavithi
Hospital were Yossapas Muangbao, Narongchai Rungcharoen, Ratchaneewan Klaying,
Oamchai Pongpornchetta and three others identified as Natthanant, Chob and
Aranya. At least two of them, one identified as Samruay Sida, were critically
wounded.
Public health permanent secretary Prat Boonyawongvirote said injured were
also treated at Phra Mongkut, Kluay Namthai and Paolo hospitals.
Ms Oamchai who was waiting for an operation last night at Rajavithi Hospital
said she heard a loud noise and did not realise it was a bomb blast. Her body
was soaked with blood, when people rushed her to hospital.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanon ordered the defence minister, the deputy army
chief and Army Region 1 to tighten security and visited the bomb victims at
Rajavithi Hospital last night.
The blasts caused most department stores in Bangkok to close two to three
hours early. Armed soldiers were deployed to guard important public places and
major intersections.
Organisers of the New Year countdown at CentralWorld "moved the event up"
three hours for safety reasons.
New Year countdown celebrations in Chiang Mai also wound down early.
Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin addressed tens of thousands of revellers
packing Ratchadamri road about 8.45 pm. Shortly afterward the crowds dispersed.
Events at Sanam Luang and Wat Saket, organised by City Hall were also cancelled.
News of the bombs, often spread through mobile phones, saw revellers leave
the countdown areas en masse last night before the celebrations ended early.
Traffic was gridlocked in many areas.
Napawadee Ananukarn, an office employee, 38, said she decided to cancel a New
Year eve dinner after learning of the bombings from her family.
Assistant army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said the First Army had sent
troops to help step up security.
He said martial law had not actually been lifted as it was not submitted for
royal endorsement.
National police chief Kowit Wattana put the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the
Central Investigation Bureau and the Special Branch Police on standby with
security stepped up in and around Bangkok.
The Council for National Security immediately ordered a security beefup for
important areas including Laem Chabang Port, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
In Chiang Mai the Third Army issued a security alert and set up several
checkpoints which were being manned by para-military troops.
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