Bangkok bomb, foreigner injured

[Curt]

Pol Gen Wichean also played down any relationship between the blasts and recent warnings about terror attacks in Thailand. "I'm not sure. It can happen anywhere. We have vulnerable spots," he said.

When it comes to "vulnerability", Thailand is one gaping sore.

[David_Loves_Ubonwan]

Hi David are you respond to my question above,wonder it's look real.you can search via the you tube. Apology if it's out of topic,but im still observing it.

Yes. The arrest of Putin video on YouTube is hoax.

David

[Khun Don]

Police hunt 5th bomb suspect
Published: 16/02/2012 at 06:39 PMOnline news: World

Police will seek an arrest warrant for a fifth suspect in Tuesday's bomb explosions in Bangkok based on information from eyewitnesses and security camera footage, deputy police chief Pansiri Prapawat said on Thursday.

Pol Gen Pansiri said the fifth suspect was also a man of middle-eastern appearance. The other four suspects have been identified as Iranians, one of them a woman.

Police were checking if he was still in the country.

Pol Gen Pansiri said police had learned that Rohani Leila, the female suspect who had returned to Tehran, had rented a second house in Bangkok.

A court warrant was being sought to search the house to see if it had been used as a place to assemble bombs.

He reaffirmed that no emblems or other material symbolic of international terrorism were found in the search of the house in Soi Pridi Banomyong 31, off Sukhumvit soi 71, where the first of the three bombs went off on Tuesday.

In Thailand, Suvarnabhumi airport director Somchai Sawasdipol said authorities have tightened security after a failed bomb plot in central Bangkok.

"We are stepping up overall surveillance and will focus on passengers behaving suspiciously as well as abandoned luggage or packages," said Mr Somchai.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) secretary-general Supachai Panitchpakdi said the government should to impose more stringent immigration controls to prevent bad guys entering Thailand.

"Of course tourist spots must be guaranteed safety and security, but the authorities should also introduce more stringent screening measures at immigration. We should not be too worried that this could have an adverse impact to tourism," said Mr Supachai, speaking on the sideline of an economic conference in Bangkok.

He said the three explosions reflected increasing global tensions, but Thailand had to stand firm in saying that this is not a problem stemming from domestic affairs.

"Our security is sufficient and we have to show the world that we are ready with preventative measures now and when needed," the Thai economist said.

The United States had imposed strict immigration measures after the Sept 11 attacks and other countries also saw the necessity to take similar steps.

"Thailand can do a similar thing, a little inconvenience for visitors and tourists to ensure security for all should not be a worry,"

Two other Iranians have already been charged in Thailand in connection with Tuesday's bomb incident, the third to shake world capitals in less than 24 hours.

Thai police say Israeli diplomats were the intended targets of the botched plot, prompting Israeli accusations that Iran was behind a terror campaign, which Tehran has denied.

One of the suspects had his legs blown off as he tried to hurl an explosive device at Thai police while fleeing after an apparently unintended explosion at a Bangkok house, officials said.

He was said to be in stable condition in a Bangkok hospital.

The other Iranian suspect was detained trying to board a flight out of Thailand on Tuesday evening.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said the Iranian bomb suspect arrested in Malaysia will be extradited to Thailand once formalities are completed.

Masoud Sedaghat Zadeh, 31, was apprehended on Wednesday by Malaysian authorities in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr Surapong said police were already working with Malaysian authorities for his extradition.

Malaysian Police chief Ismail Omar said the Iranian was arrested under provisions of the Immigration Act of Malaysia following information provided by Thai authorities.

Malaysia's Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Mr Zadeh had been attempting to fly to Iran.

Mr Zadeh's arrest at Kuala Lumpur international airport showed Malaysia was "very serious and committed'' to addressing the threat of terrorism, said the minister

"The authorities of this country will never allow Malaysia to become a location, base, or transit point for terrorists or individuals who are wanted by any other country,'' he said.

Suvarnabhumi airport director Somchai Sawasdipol said authorities have tightened security.

BANGKOK POST

[Khun Don]

Govt 'whitewashing' bombing
Democrats say reaction can bruise Thai image
Published: 17/02/2012 at 02:10 AMNewspaper section: News


The government has come under criticism for trying to downplay the Bangkok bombing that injured one Iranian suspect and four bystanders.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva urged the government to come to terms with the fact that the bombs on Sukhumvit Soi 71 and two nearby locations had attracted global attention due to extensive media coverage.

Other countries were watching to see what measures would be implemented to prevent future incidents and ensure public safety but the government was apparently preoccupied with a damage control campaign, Mr Abhisit said.

"Security agencies were sending a message that it was not a terrorist attack because the targets were individuals. But we have to accept the fact that they had bombs and there were attempts to assemble bombs, regardless of what their targets were," he said.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul had sent the wrong signal to the world when he said the bombers intended to assemble bombs in Thailand for operations in other countries.

This statement could ease fears at home but create confusion in other countries as it could be interpreted that Thailand was not serious about the problem, he added.

"The bottom line is safety for all Thais and foreigners here, and [we must make] an effort not to let the incident jeopardise relations with other countries," Mr Abhisit said.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, a security analyst at Chulalongkorn University, said the government could not deny the suspects planned a terrorist attack.

"No matter what the government says, the picture of a taxi damaged by a bomb sent out to the world by the media and social media speaks for itself that it was an act by terrorists," he said.

Mr Panitan said the government was compelled to tone down the blasts, as admitting it was a terrorist act could scare foreigners away.

"Previous governments also downplayed issues like this. If they admitted a terrorist attack, it will have consequences for Thailand," he said.

Thailand banks on tourism for foreign exchange income, with about 12 million visitors coming to the country last year. The tourism sector accounts for about 6% of gross domestic product.

Mr Panitan called on the government to use this opportunity to revamp its intelligence operations.

The suspects were able to enter Thailand to prepare for their operations without the knowledge of authorities.

"The government must face the truth that we have lax security measures, even though we are a tourist destination," he said.

He also urged the Foreign Ministry to convince the Iranian government to come out to condemn the bombings and show it was not involved.

The four people who lived in the house where the first blast took place, including a woman, carry Iranian passports.

Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa told parliament the bombings should not be considered a terrorist plot.

"Evidence shows the targets were individuals, so a terrorist act has been ruled out as of now.

"But all agencies involved are working together to come up with a conclusion to the case," said Gen Yutthasak, who is in charge of security.

He said authorities remained vigilant, as shown by the arrest of suspect Masoud Sedaghat Zadeh at Suvarnabhumi airport hours after the blasts, and prompt cooperation with Malaysia that led to the arrest of another suspect.

BANGKOK POST

[Khun Don]

Iran envoy claims 'Zionist regime' behind blasts
Thanong Khanthong
The Nation February 18, 2012 1:00 am

The claim that suspects involved in the Valentine's Day bomb blasts in Bangkok are linked to Iran is baseless, Iranian Ambassador Majid Bizmark said.

In an interview with The Nation, Bizmark categorically denied that Iran had anything to do with the explosions in Sukhumvit Soi 71, which have shaken the capital's security and prompted 14 countries to issue travel warnings. Instead, he said, the prime suspect is the Zionist regime, referring to Israel.

"If we follow the issue closely and wisely, we'll find out who is behind the scenario … There are some things I cannot say, but as I mentioned, in this scenario, the first suspect is Zionists," he added.

The ambassador said the case remained ambiguous about the nationality of the suspects and that Iran has come out to strongly condemn this incident.

"We don't know who they are … they could be anybody," he said.

So far, two men identified as Iranians are in detention in Thailand. They have allegedly confessed that they were plotting to attack Israeli diplomats in much the same way as the strikes in India and Georgia were conducted. Malaysian police managed to arrest another suspect just as he was about to flee the country.

Yesterday, Bangkok police commissioner LtGeneral Winai Thongsong also announced that authorities were looking for two more suspects in the case, including a man who was captured on CCTV footage early on Tuesday leaving the house where the first explosion took place

While Israel blames Iran as having been behind the Bangkok blasts, Iran has also come out to blame Israel.

Bizmark said the incident was a design of the Zionist regime, which wanted to sour relations between Iran and Thailand as well as hurt the stability of the world.

"You can see this kind of scenario taking place in different countries some months ago, like a chain … one after another. And it shows who is behind this scenario, which is dangerous for the stability and peace in the region," Bizmark said.

He added that the embassy was ready to cooperate with Thai officials in order to get to the bottom of the incident.

"All these incidents or scenarios were prepared and directed by elements of the Zionist regime. They started this chain by sending fabricated news all around the world. They are the first suspects," he added.

When asked if Iran was concerned about the attempts being made to implicate it in the bomb blasts, Bizmark said: "Of course, we are concerned. We are concerned because we are looking for peace. We are looking out for stability not just between two countries, but in the region and the world."

Asked if Thailand was being dragged into the conflict, Bizmark said IranianThai relationship has been flourishing for four centuries and official diplomatic ties have been ongoing for 57 years.

"When we reveal this relationship historically and diplomatically, there has never been any kind of tension between the two countries under the framework of bilateral relations," he said. "Who wants to sabotage this good relationship? That's our concern really. I am confident that through the wise management of the Thai officials they will not succeed in [damaging the good relations between the two countries]."

Bizmark added that Iran had not been affected by the economic and financial sanctions imposed by the West because the country had natural resources and could survive on its own. In fact, he said, the sanctions are nothing new because they have been going on and off over the past three decades.

[Betti]

in the meantime, I feel sorry for regular people in places like Israel and Iran.... poor folks who take the consequences for the idiotic steps of their regimes.
Iran has again blocked facebook, gmail and other social media, and is taking steps to set up a government managed, closely monitored email system, as the entire Middle East turmoil is again in a very sensitive phase. Iran allowed a bunch of travel writers / bloggers to the country last year, who tell very revealing stories about how people haven't been totally brainwashed yet at all, they perceived no anti-western sentiments amongst the common folks they met. whatever happens, it's going to be civilians who suffer the most, as in any conflict.
just really sad.

[Khun Don]

Iran denies Bangkok attacks
Published: 23/02/2012 at 09:37 PMOnline news:


UNITED NATIONS : Iran denied any role in attacks on Israeli diplomatic targets in Thailand and other countries, but accused Israel of assassinating its nuclear scientists as part of a "war game".

A letter sent Wednesday (Thursday Thailand time) by Iran's UN ambassador, Mohammad Khazaee, to the UN Security Council said Israel has been allowed to commit crimes against others with "impunity."

Iran "categorically rejects the allegations concerning any involvement of its officials or organs whatsoever in alleged recent terrorist operations against Israeli targets in a number of countries, namely Thailand, India, Georgia or Azerbaijan," the envoy's letter said.

Israel has blamed Iran for a car bomb last week which critically injured an Israeli diplomat in New Delhi.

Georgian officials defused a second device in Tbilisi, while a suspected Iranian bomber had his legs blown off as he hurled a grenade at Thai police.

Iran has "suffered from terrorist acts including assassinations of her nuclear scientists due to the tacit and explicit support extended by the Israeli regime to terrorist groups," Khazaee added.

"These operations, as well as attributing the violent acts, are part of the general war game waged by this regime against Iran."

An Iranian opposition group blamed by a Shiite leader in Bangkok also denied any connection with last week's bombings. The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) issued a statement saying the group was not involved.

Earlier, Syedsulaiman Husaini, a Shiite leader in Thailand, claimed that the four Iranians suspected of involvement in the botched Valentine's Day bomb debacle were members of the exiled Iranian opposition group.

Shahin Gobadi, the PMOI/MEK's spokesman, stated in a letter that the remark made by Mr Syedsulaiman is baseless.

"The story claimed that the PMOI/MEK was placed in the US list of terrorist organizations in 1977, two years before the Iranian revolution! It suffices to point out that such a list did not exist in 1977 altogether.

BANGKOK POST

[PeaBrain]

Is it really that hard to figure out? It is NOT the American people who chose this route, it is the powerful money that is pulling the strings here. I doubt the "powers" would care if the oil money was not huge. Why are we still driving fossil fuel vehicles? Why hasn't any USA administration offered a billion dollar award to the first organization to invent a viable solution to end oil dependence? We managed it with nuclear weapons. There is no excuse, only profit and big money running the show.

[ravip]

Since time immemorial, men have fought each other in wars caused by religion, and it seems that the third major cause of war has been religion.

It would be interesting to to know the statistics of these wars.
(Sorry if this is 'off topic' - but as the subject was mentioned...)

[Susana]

Religion is only the excuse, in my opinion, and human nature (greed for power, etc) is behind it.