2006 Bangkok bombings
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Bangkok bombings occurred on 31 December 2006 and 1 January 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 1 January 2007, three people were confirmed dead and more than 38 injured. One additional bomb exploded inside a movie theater, but went unreported until the next day due to fears of negative publicity. 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 canceled, including the countdown at the CentralWorld
shopping center and the alms-giving
at Sanam Luang
.
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. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont
blamed the "old power clique" as the group responsible for the bombings, referring to the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra
as well as all those who had lost political power due to the 2006 military coup. Both the Thai Rak Thai
party and deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra denied involvement. 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.
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. Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya shrugged off suggestions that the culprits were Muslim terrorists. A meeting between Premier Surayud Chulanont and various security and intelligence agencies on the evening of 31 December failed to officially identify culprits for the attacks.
On 1 January, Surayud announced that although the bombs had similar designs to those used by insurgents in Thailand's Muslim-dominated Southern provinces
, closer inspection indicated no link, as "I don't think they would come here as they could get lost in Bangkok." Police later arrested more than a dozen individuals, including military officers, suspected of being involved in the bombings. Junta-leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin
claimed that all of the military officers were innocent. A police investigation later found that southern separatists were behind the bombings. Detonation circuits and other materials used to make the bombs were identical to those used in by insurgents. However, the junta downplayed the role of the southern insurgents, claiming that they were hired by people connected to the political turmoil in Bangkok.
After these events, New Year's celebrations at CentralWorld and Sanam Luang
were cancelled. Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayothin
led the New Year countdown more than three hours early at the CentralWorld party.
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.
Police investigated several other incidents.
, while Suvichai Nak-iam, 61, was at Khlong Toei
.
An additional 38 persons standing near the blasts were also injured. Amongst the victims, eight foreigners were hurt: two British
men, three Hungarians
, two Serbs
and one American.
were found in all of the bombs. Other military ordnance sources claimed the bombs were all ammonium nitrate fuel oil
(ANFO)/M4
bombs. 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.
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.
during the New Year period.
According to the Thai-language
daily Thai Rath
, Thai Military Intelligence and the Special Branch received intelligence that there would be bombs in up to 30 locations in Bangkok and surrounding areas, particularly popular shopping malls like Siam Paragon
, The Mall Bang Kapi
, and Seacon Square
.
party and deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra
denied involvement. In the absence of concrete public evidence, theories abounded about the likely culprits behind the attacks.
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 BigC
Ratchadamri. The IRK is an Afghanistan
-trained urban guerilla
terrorism
unit. However, Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya shrugged off suggestions that the culprits were Muslim militants. Senior junta leadership agreed that Muslim terrorists were not involved, and that the initials were meant to frame the IRK. Police claimed the "IRK" graffiti was the work of teenage gangs attempting to scare the public.
Junta-leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin
claimed that he was "more than 100% certain" that the bombings were not perpetrated by southern insurgents and that even in the south, it was no longer easy to perpetrate attacks. He also claimed that the bombings were done by people very well acquainted with the environs, and that even his own people got lost in Bangkok. He also said that it was "impossible" that the bombings were prepared months in advance.
Investigators from the Department of Special Investigation noted that the technique the bombers used was similar to that used at the bombing of a Bangkok Bank
branch in Amphoe Betong
, Yala Province
in 2006, where Casio
digital watches were used as timers. Stainless steel back covers of 200 and 201 series Casio watches were found at the Bangkok bomb sites.
. Other security sources said that the bombings might provide the junta with reason to seize Thaksin's sizable personal assets. The Thai Rak Thai
party denied orchestrating the bombings and warned the junta not to point fingers without facts.
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.
A meeting between Premier Surayud Chulanont
and various security and intelligence agencies on the evening of 31 December failed to officially identify culprits for the attacks.
However, on 1 January, 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." He claimed that the "old power clique" was the mastermind. "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. 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.
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.
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." 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 Council for National Security 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.
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 government could handle the crisis.
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 Boonyaratglin retires in September 2007.
and the Patani United Liberation Organization
, contradicting initial announcements by the interim government that the attacks were not likely to have been related to the Southern insurgency
. There is a 1,000,000 baht
($35,700 USD
) bounty for the arrest of Lohmueli Yusoh (alias Rusdi Pohseng), thought to be the leader of the attack.
Later forensic investigations strengthened the theory that the Bangkok bombs were made using the same signature bomb-building techniques and materials as bombs used by southern insurgents.
had been lobbed in, but an army bomb expert said the blast was caused by the premature explosion of a bomb being built by the mosque janitor.
Police later said that Nasis 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.
grenades. He also noted that it would not be easy to find the bombers because not much shrapnel
was found on the scene.
The junta ordered the military to the streets of Bangkok to control the situation, with 6,000 checkpoints set up throughout the capital. Army commanders for the North, Northeast, and the South were placed on alert. Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayothin ordered all 50 districts in Bangkok to collect all their rubbish bins.
Junta head Sonthi Boonyaratglin
cut short his hajj
and flew back from Saudi Arabia to meet with the junta leadership in the afternoon of 1 January 2007 Later on that same day, assistant police commissioner Jongrak Juthanon was assigned to lead an investigation into the deadly incidents.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration initiated plans to spend 186 million baht
on installing 1,628 closed-circuit television
cameras throughout the capital in 2007, with plans for 504 cameras to be placed on pedestrian and traffic flyover bridges and low-population locations, while 1,124 cameras would be placed in more populated places like bus terminals and intersections.
abounded. Junta leader Sonthi went on television to deny the rumors. "We love the people too much to do it," he said.
(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 United States dollar
, against 36.05-10 at the close of trade on 29 December 2006.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula
claimed that the bombings "would not have an impact on this year's GDP."
raids regarding the bombings. Police invoked martial law
, which empowered them to detain suspects without placing charges
against them for seven days. Among those arrested were Lt Col Suchart Khadsungnone, an officer of Sonthi Boonyaratglin
's Lopburi
-based Special Warfare Command. Reporters witnessing the questioning noted that interrogators demanded the suspects provide alibis regarding the August 2006 Bangkok car bomb against deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra
.
The junta was not satisfied with the police investigation and arrests and planned to launch a parallel inquiry. Junta head Sonthi warned the police chief not to seek scapegoats within the military. However, the junta's plans to launch a parallel inquiry were reversed after Police Chief Kowit Wattana
reported evidence to the junta's leaders. However, Pallop Pinmanee
, the former Internal Security Operations Command
leader who was implicated in the attempted assassination of Thaksin Shinawatra
, warned the junta not to trust the police. Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol
, an influential Army officer echoed Pallop's warning. Junta chief and Army Commander Sonthi Boonyaratglin
said he was certain that all military men held by police for the past week were innocent.
On 16 March 2007, the Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against a tall and thin man aged 25 to 30 with crippled leg whom police believed to have planted a bomb at the Major Ratchayothin shopping center on New Year's Eve. The man was caught on the closed circuit television of the shopping mall. The man was charged with possessing an explosive object, terrorism and trying to kill others. The picture of the man was shown to the media on 21 March 2007.
On 22 March 2007, police posted photographs of two suspects who were caught on closed circuit television at the Season Square shopping center. On the evening of 22 March, Pratya Preechavej and Yutthaphong Kittisriworraphan told reporters of The Nation
newspaper that they were in fact the men in police photos, but definitely not the bombers. The two men were then taken to a hotel on Sukhumvit Road by several senior officers from 10 pm until 2 am. They returned home at 4.30 am the next morning. Their story changed in a subsequent press conference at the Prawet police station, where Pratya claimed that he had not worn a black jacket like one of the men in police photos. Pratya also said he had a ponytail, and almost never let down his hair—unlike the man in the photo—and had been accompanied by his sister. Junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin later claimed it was a case of mistaken identity and not a police mistake that both men looked similar to the suspected bombers.
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
festivities in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Four explosions went off almost simultaneously in different parts of the city at around 6:00 p.m. local time (1100 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
), 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 1 January 2007, three people were confirmed dead and more than 38 injured. One additional bomb exploded inside a movie theater, but went unreported until the next day due to fears of negative publicity. The next morning, a bomb exploded in a mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province , a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939. It is...
, the largest city in northern Thailand. Authorities ordered all public New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
events canceled, including the countdown at the CentralWorld
CentralWorld
CentralWorld is a shopping plaza and complex in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the third largest shopping complex in the world. The complex, which includes a hotel and office tower, is owned by Central Pattana...
shopping center and the alms-giving
Alms
Alms or almsgiving is a religious rite which, in general, involves giving materially to another as an act of religious virtue.It exists in a number of religions. In Philippine Regions, alms are given as charity to benefit the poor. In Buddhism, alms are given by lay people to monks and nuns to...
at Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang is an open field and public square in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Sanam Luang is located in the Phra Nakhon district, the historic center of Bangkok....
.
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. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont
Surayud Chulanont
General Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008...
blamed the "old power clique" as the group responsible for the bombings, referring to the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
as well as all those who had lost political power due to the 2006 military coup. Both the Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
party and deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra denied involvement. 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.
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. Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya shrugged off suggestions that the culprits were Muslim terrorists. A meeting between Premier Surayud Chulanont and various security and intelligence agencies on the evening of 31 December failed to officially identify culprits for the attacks.
On 1 January, Surayud announced that although the bombs had similar designs to those used by insurgents in Thailand's Muslim-dominated Southern provinces
South Thailand insurgency
An ethnic separatist insurgency is taking place in Southern Thailand, predominantly in the Malay Pattani region, made up of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. Violence has increasingly spilling over into other provinces...
, closer inspection indicated no link, as "I don't think they would come here as they could get lost in Bangkok." Police later arrested more than a dozen individuals, including military officers, suspected of being involved in the bombings. Junta-leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for National Security, the military junta that ruled the kingdom. He is the first Muslim in charge of the mostly Buddhist army...
claimed that all of the military officers were innocent. A police investigation later found that southern separatists were behind the bombings. Detonation circuits and other materials used to make the bombs were identical to those used in by insurgents. However, the junta downplayed the role of the southern insurgents, claiming that they were hired by people connected to the political turmoil in Bangkok.
Bombings
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 New Year's Eve.- Victory MonumentVictory Monument (Bangkok)Victory Monument is a large military monument in Bangkok, Thailand. The monument is located in Ratchathewi district, northeast of central Bangkok, at the center of a traffic circle at the intersection of Phahonyothin Road, Phaya Thai Road, and Ratchawithi Road.The monument is one of Bangkok's...
. Seventeen people were injured and two Thais died at the hospital from injuries. One Hungarian was among the injured. The bomb was placed in a bus-stop shelter and went off at around 6:00 p.m., ripping through the bus stops, shattering windows at a nearby restaurant and sending debris in all directions. A second blast went off nearby shortly after. - Khlong ToeiKhlong ToeiKhlong Toei is a district in central Bangkok, long known for its slum. It is bordered by the Chao Phraya River and contains major port facilities. It is also the name of a major market, though not touristic...
, 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 propanePropanePropane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula , normally a gas, but compressible to a transportable liquid. A by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, it is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves, and residential central...
gas cylinderGas cylinderA gas cylinder is a pressure vessel used to store gases at above atmospheric pressure. High pressure gas cylinders are also called bottles. Although they are sometimes colloquially called "tanks", this is technically incorrect, as a tank is a vessel used to store liquids at ambient pressure and...
s that were situated nearby. - Saphan Khwai intersection, Phaya ThaiPhaya ThaiPhaya Thai is a district in central Bangkok, Thailand. It is also the name of a major road, as well as a BTS Skytrain station, both of which are in the nearby Ratchathewi district....
District. Another bomb went off at a police boxPolice boxA police box is a British telephone kiosk or callbox located in a public place for the use of members of the police, or for members of the public to contact the police...
. Two people were injured. Witnesses saw a man dropping a hand grenadeHand grenadeA hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
from a pedestrian bridge onto the police box. Residue of C-4C-4 (explosive)C4 or Composition C4 is a common variety of the plastic explosive known as Composition C.-Composition and manufacture:C4 is made up of explosives, plastic binder, plasticizer and usually marker or odorizing taggant chemicals such as 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane to help detect the explosive and...
and TNT explosives were found at the scene. - Seacon SquareSeacon SquareSeacon Square is a large indoor shopping mall in Prawet District, Bangkok. It was opened in 1994 in a ceremony presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The shopping center has a gross leasable area of , a total area of and houses more than 400 stores...
, PrawetPrawetPrawet is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand, located in the southeast of the town. Neighboring districts are Bang Phli , Bang Na, Phra Khanong, Suan Luang, Bang Kapi, Saphan Sung and Lat Krabang .Si Nakharin road, named after Srinagarindra, is the major road of the district...
District. An unexploded bomb was found in a trash can near a gold shop on the first floor inside the shopping 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. - Khae Rai intersection, Mueang districtAmphoe Mueang NonthaburiMueang Nonthaburi is the capital district of Nonthaburi province in Thailand. The city of Nonthaburi has 267,001 inhabitants, while the whole district has 348,553.-History:The district was originally named Talat Khwan...
, Nonthaburi ProvinceNonthaburi ProvinceNonthaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom....
(13°51′31"N 100°31′15"E). A police box was bombed but no injuries were reported. - SukhumvitSukhumvit RoadSukhumvit Road , or Thailand Route 3 , is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities it winds through. It follows a coastal route from Bangkok to Trat and is just over in length....
SoiSoiSoi is the term used in Thailand for a side-street branching off a major street . An alley is called a Trok .Sois are usually numbered, and are referred to by the name of the major street and the number, as in "Soi Sukhumvit 4", "Sukhumvit Soi 4", or "Sukhumvit 4", all referring to the fourth soi...
62. A police box at the entrance of the soi was bombed, but no injuries were reported. - Major Cineplex RatchayothinMajor Cineplex RatchayothinMajor Cineplex Ratchayothin is an entertainment and shopping complex on Phahonyothin Road in Lat Yao subdistrict, Chatuchak district, Bangkok. Operated by Thailand's largest movie-theater chain, Major Cineplex, it has a 14-screen multiplex cinema, a 38-lane bowling alley, karaoke rooms,...
, Phahonyothin Road, Lat Yao, ChatuchakChatuchak (district)Chatuchak is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by seven other districts : Lak Si, Bang Khen, Lat Phrao, Huai Khwang, Din Daeng, Phaya Thai and Bang Sue.-History:...
. A security guard found a suspicious black bag left unattended in a fast food outlet and placed the bag in a back room. The bomb exploded sometime afterwards, causing a blackout in the cineplex's retail area. There were no casualties or injuries. The cineplex owner only alerted Phahonyothin police later on 1 January, fearing negative publicity.
After these events, New Year's celebrations at CentralWorld and Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang is an open field and public square in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Sanam Luang is located in the Phra Nakhon district, the historic center of Bangkok....
were cancelled. Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayothin
Apirak Kosayothin
Apirak Kosayodhin is a former Thai business executive and former governor of Bangkok. In the gubernatorial elections on August 29, 2004 he won 40% of the votes...
led the New Year countdown more than three hours early at the CentralWorld party.
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 near Khlong Saen SaebKhlong Saen SaebKhlong Saen Saeb is a canal in central Thailand, connecting the Chao Phraya River to Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao. A portion of the canal is used for public transport by an express boat service in Bangkok...
's Pratunam Pier and CentralWorld. Three foreigners having dinner at the restaurant and two Thais were injured. One of the foreigners' legs was blown off by the blast. - A public telephone booth at the pedestrian bridge linking CentralWorld and GaysornGaysornGaysorn Plaza is a shopping mall located on the Ratchaprasong shopping district, in Bangkok, Thailand.The mall contains international high-end brands such as, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Givenchy, La Perla, Christian Dior, Loewe, Fendi and Hugo Boss.Gaysorn has five levels with more than 100...
shopping malls. Several foreigners were injured. - Three additional unexploded bombs were found in the area.
- A suspected bomb was investigated at Buddy Beer (bar) on Khaosan RoadKhaosan RoadKhaosan Road or Khao Sarn Road is a short street in central Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Banglamphu area of about 1 km north of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew....
about half an hour after midnight. Tourists had earlier been ordered to leave the area. All Khaosan Road bars were closed, and the street was baricaded and manned with armed forces. The bomb report later turned out to be false. - By 1 a.m., police disabled another bomb at the Suan Lum Night BazaarSuan Lum Night BazaarSuan Lum Night Bazaar was a market in Bangkok's Pathum Wan district, at the intersection of Rama IV and Wireless/Sathorn Roads, opposite Lumphini Park at the Bangkok Metro's Lumphini Station. Located on land owned by the Crown Property Bureau. It opened in 2001, and had closed by early 2011.The...
before the bomb could explode.
Victims
The wave of bombings claimed the lives of three people, all of whom where Thai nationals. Songkran Kanchana, 36 and Ekkachai Ruangpoom, 26, were at the Victory MonumentVictory Monument (Bangkok)
Victory Monument is a large military monument in Bangkok, Thailand. The monument is located in Ratchathewi district, northeast of central Bangkok, at the center of a traffic circle at the intersection of Phahonyothin Road, Phaya Thai Road, and Ratchawithi Road.The monument is one of Bangkok's...
, while Suvichai Nak-iam, 61, was at Khlong Toei
Khlong Toei
Khlong Toei is a district in central Bangkok, long known for its slum. It is bordered by the Chao Phraya River and contains major port facilities. It is also the name of a major market, though not touristic...
.
An additional 38 persons standing near the blasts were also injured. Amongst the victims, eight foreigners were hurt: two British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
men, three Hungarians
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, two Serbs
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
and one American.
| Location | Deaths | Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Victory Monument Victory Monument (Bangkok) Victory Monument is a large military monument in Bangkok, Thailand. The monument is located in Ratchathewi district, northeast of central Bangkok, at the center of a traffic circle at the intersection of Phahonyothin Road, Phaya Thai Road, and Ratchawithi Road.The monument is one of Bangkok's... |
2 Thai | 15 (1 Hungarian) |
| Khlong Toei Khlong Toei Khlong Toei is a district in central Bangkok, long known for its slum. It is bordered by the Chao Phraya River and contains major port facilities. It is also the name of a major market, though not touristic... |
1 Thai | 6 |
| Saphan Khwai | 0 | 2 |
| Seacon Square Seacon Square Seacon Square is a large indoor shopping mall in Prawet District, Bangkok. It was opened in 1994 in a ceremony presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The shopping center has a gross leasable area of , a total area of and houses more than 400 stores... |
0 | 0 |
| Khae Rai Intersection | 0 | 0 |
| Sukhumvit Sukhumvit Road Sukhumvit Road , or Thailand Route 3 , is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities it winds through. It follows a coastal route from Bangkok to Trat and is just over in length.... Soi 62 |
0 | 0 |
| CentralWorld (seafood 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 boosterM4 flame fuel thickening compound
M4 flame fuel thickening compound is a nonhygroscopic thickener, adi-acid aluminum soap of isooctanoic acides derived from isooctyl alcohol or isooctyl aldehyd, which are obtained from the oxidization of petroleum. M4 is used in fire bombs and incendiary weapons....
were found in all of the bombs. Other military ordnance sources claimed the bombs were all ammonium nitrate fuel oil
ANFO
ANFO is a widely used bulk industrial explosive mixture. It consists of 94 percent porous prilled ammonium nitrate , that acts as the oxidizing agent and absorbent for the fuel — six percent Number 2 Fuel Oil...
(ANFO)/M4
M4 flame fuel thickening compound
M4 flame fuel thickening compound is a nonhygroscopic thickener, adi-acid aluminum soap of isooctanoic acides derived from isooctyl alcohol or isooctyl aldehyd, which are obtained from the oxidization of petroleum. M4 is used in fire bombs and incendiary weapons....
bombs. 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
Pornthip Rojanasunand
Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunand, also spelled Porntip Rojanasunan, M.D. is a Thai forensic pathologist, author, human rights activist, and cancer survivor....
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.
Premier Surayud ruled out involvement of Southern insurgents
South Thailand insurgency
An ethnic separatist insurgency is taking place in Southern Thailand, predominantly in the Malay Pattani region, made up of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. Violence has increasingly spilling over into other provinces...
. 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
Modus operandi
Modus operandi is a Latin phrase, approximately translated as "mode of operation". The term is used to describe someone's habits or manner of working, their method of operating or functioning...
indicated no link.
Forewarning
Authorities had earlier warned of an escalation of the South Thailand insurgencySouth Thailand insurgency
An ethnic separatist insurgency is taking place in Southern Thailand, predominantly in the Malay Pattani region, made up of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. Violence has increasingly spilling over into other provinces...
during the New Year period.
According to the Thai-language
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
daily Thai Rath
Thai Rath
Thai Rath is a Thai-language daily newspaper published in Bangkok and distributed nationwide. The paper is a broadsheet published with two sections. The first section is devoted to news. Although the news section is best known for its sensationalist coverage of crime and accidents, it also...
, Thai Military Intelligence and the Special Branch received intelligence that there would be bombs in up to 30 locations in Bangkok and surrounding areas, particularly popular shopping malls like Siam Paragon
Siam Paragon
Siam Paragon is a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia. Opened on December 9, 2005, it includes a wide range of specialty stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theater and the Siam Ocean World...
, The Mall Bang Kapi
Bang Kapi
Bang Kapi is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. It is bounded by other Bangkok districts : Bueng Kum, Saphan Sung, Prawet, Suan Luang, Huai Khwang, Wang Thonglang, and Lat Phrao.-History:...
, and Seacon Square
Seacon Square
Seacon Square is a large indoor shopping mall in Prawet District, Bangkok. It was opened in 1994 in a ceremony presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The shopping center has a gross leasable area of , a total area of and houses more than 400 stores...
.
Urban guerillas
Nobody claimed responsibility for the bombings, and both the Thai Rak ThaiThai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
party and deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
denied involvement. In the absence of concrete public evidence, theories abounded about the likely culprits behind the attacks.
The initials "IRK" were found written in marker in four places at three bomb sites: a pillar near a bus stop at Victory Monument
Victory Monument (Bangkok)
Victory Monument is a large military monument in Bangkok, Thailand. The monument is located in Ratchathewi district, northeast of central Bangkok, at the center of a traffic circle at the intersection of Phahonyothin Road, Phaya Thai Road, and Ratchawithi Road.The monument is one of Bangkok's...
, a phone booth near Gaysorn
Gaysorn
Gaysorn Plaza is a shopping mall located on the Ratchaprasong shopping district, in Bangkok, Thailand.The mall contains international high-end brands such as, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Givenchy, La Perla, Christian Dior, Loewe, Fendi and Hugo Boss.Gaysorn has five levels with more than 100...
shopping mall opposite CentralWorld, a phone booth near Pratunam
Pratunam Market
Pratunam Market is one of Bangkok's major markets, focusing on clothes which makes it Thailand's largest clothing market. The name Pratunam means Water gate.-Overview:...
Pier, and a phone booth near BigC
BigC
Big C, or Big C Supercenter , is a grocery and general merchandising retailer headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the leading hypermarket chain in Thailand, managed under the umbrella of Groupe Casino...
Ratchadamri. The IRK is an Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
-trained urban guerilla
Urban guerrilla warfare
Urban guerrilla redirects here. For the Hawkwind song, see Urban Guerrilla.Urban guerrilla refers to someone who fights a government using unconventional warfare in an urban environment...
terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
unit. However, Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya shrugged off suggestions that the culprits were Muslim militants. Senior junta leadership agreed that Muslim terrorists were not involved, and that the initials were meant to frame the IRK. Police claimed the "IRK" graffiti was the work of teenage gangs attempting to scare the public.
Junta-leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for National Security, the military junta that ruled the kingdom. He is the first Muslim in charge of the mostly Buddhist army...
claimed that he was "more than 100% certain" that the bombings were not perpetrated by southern insurgents and that even in the south, it was no longer easy to perpetrate attacks. He also claimed that the bombings were done by people very well acquainted with the environs, and that even his own people got lost in Bangkok. He also said that it was "impossible" that the bombings were prepared months in advance.
Investigators from the Department of Special Investigation noted that the technique the bombers used was similar to that used at the bombing of a Bangkok Bank
Bangkok Bank
Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited , is a Thai commercial bank, with approximately US$64.6 billion in total assets. Its branch network includes over 1000 branches within Thailand, with 25 international branches or representative offices in 13 economies, spanning ASEAN and major economic countries,...
branch in Amphoe Betong
Amphoe Betong
Betong is the southernmost district of Yala Province, southern Thailand.-Geography:Betong is located at the boundary to Malaysia. To the north is Than To, to the east Chanae . To the south is the Malayian state of Perak, to the west Kedah.-History:In the past time, this area was under Mueang...
, Yala Province
Yala Province
Yala is the southernmost province of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat. Yala is the only land-locked province in the south of Thailand...
in 2006, where Casio
Casio
is a multinational electronic devices manufacturing company founded in 1946, with its headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Casio is best known for its electronic products, such as calculators, audio equipment, PDAs, cameras, musical instruments, and watches...
digital watches were used as timers. Stainless steel back covers of 200 and 201 series Casio watches were found at the Bangkok bomb sites.
"Old power clique"
Various members of the ruling junta attributed the bombings to various groups. The day after the bombings, government security sources blamed the "old power clique," a possible reference to members of the government of deposed Premier Thaksin ShinawatraThaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
. Other security sources said that the bombings might provide the junta with reason to seize Thaksin's sizable personal assets. The Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
party denied orchestrating the bombings and warned the junta not to point fingers without facts.
Anti-Thaksin newspaper editor Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul
Sondhi Limthongkul is a Thai media mogul and leader of the right-wing People's Alliance for Democracy . He was elected for leader of the New Politics Party ....
said he believed the bombings were orchestrated by "undercurrents", supporters of the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
, who wanted to discredit the junta, but he cited no evidence.
A meeting between Premier Surayud Chulanont
Surayud Chulanont
General Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008...
and various security and intelligence agencies on the evening of 31 December failed to officially identify culprits for the attacks.
However, on 1 January, Surayud announced that the bombings had nothing to do with the southern insurgency
South Thailand insurgency
An ethnic separatist insurgency is taking place in Southern Thailand, predominantly in the Malay Pattani region, made up of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. Violence has increasingly spilling over into other provinces...
, noting that, "I don't think they would come here as they could get lost in Bangkok." He claimed that the "old power clique" was the mastermind. "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. 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.
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.
Junta vice chairman Saprang Kalayanamitr
Saprang Kalayanamitr
General Saprang Kalayanamitr is a retired officer of the Royal Thai Army, Assistant Secretary-General of the Council for National Security, Commander of the junta's 14,000-man anti-protest force, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Airports of Thailand , and also Chairman of the Boards of TOT...
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." Saprang was harshly criticized by Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, a former military officer who was a member of the deposed Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
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 Council for National Security 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.
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 government could handle the crisis.
Conflicts within the junta
A widely circulated theory posited that the Council for National Security itself planted the bombs to strengthen its own hand and discredit Thaksin, who remained highly popular with the public. Junta leader Sonthi denied the rumors on television, saying "I have risked myself to do what the people wished. Why should I do that? I love my people, and my country."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 Boonyaratglin retires in September 2007.
Jemaah Islamiyah or southern insurgents
Some Thai intelligence officials have stated that they now believe the attacks were orchestrated and carried out by a combined effort between Jemaah IslamiyahJemaah Islamiyah
Jemaah Islamiah , is a Southeast Asian militant Islamic organization dedicated to the establishment of a Daulah Islamiyah in Southeast Asia incorporating Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines, Singapore and Brunei...
and the Patani United Liberation Organization
Patani United Liberation Organization
The Patani United Liberation Organization or PULO is one of the active separatist movements calling for a free and independent Patani...
, contradicting initial announcements by the interim government that the attacks were not likely to have been related to the Southern insurgency
South Thailand insurgency
An ethnic separatist insurgency is taking place in Southern Thailand, predominantly in the Malay Pattani region, made up of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. Violence has increasingly spilling over into other provinces...
. There is a 1,000,000 baht
Thai baht
The baht is the currency of Thailand. It is subdivided into 100 satang . The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand.-History:The baht, like the pound, originated from a traditional unit of mass...
($35,700 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
) bounty for the arrest of Lohmueli Yusoh (alias Rusdi Pohseng), thought to be the leader of the attack.
Later forensic investigations strengthened the theory that the Bangkok bombs were made using the same signature bomb-building techniques and materials as bombs used by southern insurgents.
1 January 2007 bombing
At 8.45 am on 1 January 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. Nasis said a grenadeGrenade
A grenade is a small explosive device that is projected a safe distance away by its user. Soldiers called grenadiers specialize in the use of grenades. The term hand grenade refers any grenade designed to be hand thrown. Grenade Launchers are firearms designed to fire explosive projectile grenades...
had been lobbed in, but an army bomb expert said the blast was caused by the premature explosion of a bomb being built by the mosque janitor.
Police later said that Nasis 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.
30 January 2007 bombings
On 30 January 2007, two explosions were reported in the headquarters of the Daily News newspaper and the Rama Garden Hotel's parking lot at around 1 am. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont later declared that the explosions were caused by M79M79 grenade launcher
The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher that fires a 40x46mm grenade which used what the US Army called the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low, and first appeared during the Vietnam War...
grenades. He also noted that it would not be easy to find the bombers because not much shrapnel
Fragmentation (weaponry)
Fragmentation is the process by which the casing of an artillery shell, bomb, grenade, etc. is shattered by the detonating high explosive filling. The correct technical terminology for these casing pieces is fragments , although shards or splinters can be used for non-preformed fragments...
was found on the scene.
Security measures and junta responses
Several foreign embassies issued travel warnings to their citizens in Bangkok warning that further attacks are possible.The junta ordered the military to the streets of Bangkok to control the situation, with 6,000 checkpoints set up throughout the capital. Army commanders for the North, Northeast, and the South were placed on alert. Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayothin ordered all 50 districts in Bangkok to collect all their rubbish bins.
Junta head Sonthi Boonyaratglin
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for National Security, the military junta that ruled the kingdom. He is the first Muslim in charge of the mostly Buddhist army...
cut short his hajj
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
and flew back from Saudi Arabia to meet with the junta leadership in the afternoon of 1 January 2007 Later on that same day, assistant police commissioner Jongrak Juthanon was assigned to lead an investigation into the deadly incidents.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration initiated plans to spend 186 million baht
Thai baht
The baht is the currency of Thailand. It is subdivided into 100 satang . The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand.-History:The baht, like the pound, originated from a traditional unit of mass...
on installing 1,628 closed-circuit television
Closed-circuit television
Closed-circuit television is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors....
cameras throughout the capital in 2007, with plans for 504 cameras to be placed on pedestrian and traffic flyover bridges and low-population locations, while 1,124 cameras would be placed in more populated places like bus terminals and intersections.
Coup rumors
Rumors that the junta would use the bombings as a pretext to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Surayud ChulanontSurayud Chulanont
General Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008...
abounded. Junta leader Sonthi went on television to deny the rumors. "We love the people too much to do it," he said.
Economic impact
The Stock Exchange of ThailandStock Exchange of Thailand
The Stock Exchange of Thailand is the national stock exchange of Thailand. It is located in Bangkok. As of 31 December 2007, the Stock Exchange of Thailand had 541 listed companies with a combined market capitalization of $280 billion. The indices of the stock exchange are SET Index, SET50 Index...
(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
Thai baht
The baht is the currency of Thailand. It is subdivided into 100 satang . The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand.-History:The baht, like the pound, originated from a traditional unit of mass...
weakened slightly, trading at 36.15-17 to one United States dollar
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
, against 36.05-10 at the close of trade on 29 December 2006.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula
Pridiyathorn Devakula
Mom Rajawongse Pridiyathorn Devakula served as Minister of Finance in Thailand's interim civilian government. Before being named to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, Pridiyathorn had served as Governor of the Bank of Thailand since 2001...
claimed that the bombings "would not have an impact on this year's GDP."
Arrests
On 20 January 2007, some 15 military officers and civilians were arrested in commandoCommando
In English, the term commando means a specific kind of individual soldier or military unit. In contemporary usage, commando usually means elite light infantry and/or special operations forces units, specializing in amphibious landings, parachuting, rappelling and similar techniques, to conduct and...
raids regarding the bombings. Police invoked martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
, which empowered them to detain suspects without placing charges
Indictment
An indictment , in the common-law legal system, is a formal accusation that a person has committed a crime. In jurisdictions that maintain the concept of felonies, the serious criminal offence is a felony; jurisdictions that lack the concept of felonies often use that of an indictable offence—an...
against them for seven days. Among those arrested were Lt Col Suchart Khadsungnone, an officer of Sonthi Boonyaratglin
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for National Security, the military junta that ruled the kingdom. He is the first Muslim in charge of the mostly Buddhist army...
's Lopburi
Lopburi
Lopburi ) is the capital city of Lopburi Province in Thailand. It is located about 150 km north-east of Bangkok. As of 2006 it has a population of 26,500...
-based Special Warfare Command. Reporters witnessing the questioning noted that interrogators demanded the suspects provide alibis regarding the August 2006 Bangkok car bomb against deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
.
The junta was not satisfied with the police investigation and arrests and planned to launch a parallel inquiry. Junta head Sonthi warned the police chief not to seek scapegoats within the military. However, the junta's plans to launch a parallel inquiry were reversed after Police Chief Kowit Wattana
Kowit Wattana
Kowit Wattana is a Thai Police General and politician. From 2004 to 2007 he was the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. In 2008, he was Minister of the Interior, and since 2011 he has been Deputy Prime Minister under Yingluck Shinawatra...
reported evidence to the junta's leaders. However, Pallop Pinmanee
Pallop Pinmanee
General Pallop Pinmanee is a retired Thai Army general who took part in several coups, ordered the massacre of insurgents at Krue Sae Mosque and allegedly played a role in the attempted car bomb assassination of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra...
, the former Internal Security Operations Command
Internal Security Operations Command
The Internal Security Operations Command is a unit of the Thai military devoted to national security issues. It was responsible for suppression of leftist groups during the 1970s and 1980s during which it was implicated in numerous atrocities against activists and civilians. The modern ISOC was...
leader who was implicated in the attempted assassination of Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
, warned the junta not to trust the police. Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol
Khattiya Sawasdipol
Khattiya Sawasdipol , alias Seh Daeng , was a major general in the Royal Thai Army, assigned to the Internal Security Operations Command. He claimed to have helped the United States spy on North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and to have taken part in the CIA-financed "Secret War" against the...
, an influential Army officer echoed Pallop's warning. Junta chief and Army Commander Sonthi Boonyaratglin
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for National Security, the military junta that ruled the kingdom. He is the first Muslim in charge of the mostly Buddhist army...
said he was certain that all military men held by police for the past week were innocent.
On 16 March 2007, the Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against a tall and thin man aged 25 to 30 with crippled leg whom police believed to have planted a bomb at the Major Ratchayothin shopping center on New Year's Eve. The man was caught on the closed circuit television of the shopping mall. The man was charged with possessing an explosive object, terrorism and trying to kill others. The picture of the man was shown to the media on 21 March 2007.
On 22 March 2007, police posted photographs of two suspects who were caught on closed circuit television at the Season Square shopping center. On the evening of 22 March, Pratya Preechavej and Yutthaphong Kittisriworraphan told reporters of The Nation
The Nation (Thailand)
The Nation is a broadsheet, English-language daily newspaper founded in 1971 and published in Bangkok, Thailand, and is owned by the Nation Multimedia Group.The Nation is a member of the Asia News Network...
newspaper that they were in fact the men in police photos, but definitely not the bombers. The two men were then taken to a hotel on Sukhumvit Road by several senior officers from 10 pm until 2 am. They returned home at 4.30 am the next morning. Their story changed in a subsequent press conference at the Prawet police station, where Pratya claimed that he had not worn a black jacket like one of the men in police photos. Pratya also said he had a ponytail, and almost never let down his hair—unlike the man in the photo—and had been accompanied by his sister. Junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin later claimed it was a case of mistaken identity and not a police mistake that both men looked similar to the suspected bombers.
See also
- Council for National Security
- Surayud ChulanontSurayud ChulanontGeneral Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008...
- South Thailand insurgencySouth Thailand insurgencyAn ethnic separatist insurgency is taking place in Southern Thailand, predominantly in the Malay Pattani region, made up of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. Violence has increasingly spilling over into other provinces...