Six Blasts Rock Hat Yai

[BlackJack]

well i wish the Muslims would declare war on the stray dogs here in Pattaya area

( a muslim friend told me they hate dogs too)

Edited September 19, 2006 by BlackJack

[wilko]

Muslims are also the only religion that wants to build "muslim states", that want to replace laws with religious laws etc. That's a fact.

There are many nutcase christian sects but they are not large enough to want to create their own states with their own laws...

Well who else would want to build a Muslim state if not Muslims????

And I suppose Isreal is not a Jewish stae and America not a Christian state with Christian laws....at the moment there is a lot of pressure from fundamentalist Christians in US to give the church more power in legislation.

[PeaceBlondie]

It's good news that the non-TRT parties in Thailand want the peace commission reopened to start a peace process going.

Mr. Shinawatra is a Lt. Colonel policeman. His Ph.D. is in criminology. Only later did he go into business. He's trained to think that police solve crimes (in Thailand), and that a strong police force prevents crime in southern Thailand. He tries to be closely aligned with the powerful generals of the armed forces. No peace background. Then, he became an entrepeneur, top-down autocratic CEO style, giving orders to everybody but taking orders from nobody, surrounding himself with yes-men.

That's not the kind of person who would know the first thing about how to make peace with Thais who don't speak Thai, or Thais who aren't Buddhist, or Thais who aren't rich, police, or army. To solve longstanding problems with a minority of another dialect, background, history, and religion, you need experts in the process. Not more soldiers, more policemen, martial law, etc.

Again, I served unarmed in a southern conflict zone in Mexico, where the native Mayan tribes had been ignored for 500 years. The armed resistance, EZLN (Zapatista rebels), only fought battles for 11 days before stopping the war. The "peace treaty" was immediately rejected when it arrived, signed, in the national capital that was run by rich people who spoke central dialect. The peace commissions such as COCOPA were ignored and disbanded.

If most of the residents of the southern provinces don't want separation, do they want autonomy? Self-rule? At least their own people controlling offices of power in their own provinces?

Bombers don't just wake up one morning, invent a new cause or injustice for which to bomb, and go set the fuse. Bombing usually is the last resort after all non-violent means of protest and resolution have been ignored or refused. History is absolutely necessary to understand, rather than just rushing in with guns, tanks, and government bombs.

[Plus]

Blackjack, read this again:

"I think there is a majority who would say that they dont agree with bombings/killings but they understand where that's coming from. And that's where the whole problem starts."

It perfectly fits my answers to your questions. Separatist and extremists get sympathy, though not total support in all areas. Where support is not coming, they manage to instill enough fear in population not to protest openly.

Thai army long ago sorted the areas into red green and orange - red ones, about 150 villages, are completely lost and a no go zone for Thais. Another example is downtown Yala where extremists declared Firday a holiday and no one dared to open his shop for business despite Thaksin's personal assurances of safety.

Not everyone supports the bombings and killings, even for a cause, but nearly everyone is united in the fight against Thai government.

[Jai Dee]

PM is worried about the unrest situation in Hat Yai

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra joins the Cabinet meeting via the internet from the United States of America to the Secretariat of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister has expressed his concerned over the unrest situation in Hat Yai District of Songkhla Province.

The atmosphere in Cabinet meeting today is usual even though Prime Minister Thaksin is attending the UN general assembly in the US. At the same time in Hat Yai, a large projector has been set up to broadcast the Cabinet meeting via videoconference.

One of the main agendas in the Cabinet meeting today is the recent bomb blasts in Hat Yai. The explosion has affected the provincial economy and the local residents. Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Kovit Wattana also joins the Cabinet meeting today. Meanwhile, the Army Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, has assigned the Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Sophon Silphiphat, to be his representative for this meeting.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Secretary-General Prommin Lertsuridej has disclosed that the Prime Minister would like to return to Thailand before schedule and assess the situation in Hat Yai by himself. However, Md. Prommin has told the Prime Minister not to return to the country earlier, as the premier could still give out orders to relevant units immediately. Md. Prommin said all sides have to work together to solve this problem, and he does not want to see conflicts in the country.

In the meantime, the security in the Government House is still intensive, while people and vehicles traveling to the venue are thoroughly inspected as usual.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 September 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM chairs the Cabinet meeting via videoconference

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has chaired the Cabinet meeting via videoconference from the United States of America and ordered relevant units to assist families who were affected from the explosion in Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่) District of Songkhla (สงขลา) Province. The Cabinet meeting has been linked to Hat Yai through videoconference.

Hat Yai local administrators reported the situation in Hat Yai to the Prime Minister. According to the report, the officials are rapidly providing assistance to the stricken families.

Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin also consulted with Social Development and Human Security Minister Wattana Muangsook (วัฒนา เมืองสุข) on the relief efforts. 200,000 baht of financial aid will be donated to each injured person, while 6,000 baht will be given to the people who have died from the blast.

The Prime Minister said that Mr. Wattana should increase the amount of the financial aid while Mr. Wattana said this amount of money is only an initial assistance. Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin has reminded the officials to provide good care to the troubled families.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 September 2006

[Jai Dee]

Parents rush to pick up children from schools following rumours

Rumours that explosives were planted in some schools in Songkhla province have caused panic among parents who rushed to pick up their children from schools.

The rumours was widespread Tuesday, a few days after spontaneous bomb blasts rocked Hat Yai city on Songkhla, killing four and injured over 70 people.

Sommai Kwanthongyim, director of Songkhla Kindergarten School, said many classes have to be cancelled because the parents came and take their children back home after learning of the rumours.

"At first, teachers were surprised to see many parents came to school and said something about explosives. We have not yet been informed of the explosives. In some classes, teachers were teaching when parents entered the classes to take their children," he said.

It was parents' rights to do so, Sommai said, adding therefore some classes had to be cancelled.

He was also informed that many schools in Songkhla municipality have to cancel their classes because upon hearing the rumours, parents rushed to the schools to pick up their children.

Source: The Nation - 19 September 2006

[BlackJack]

Blackjack, read this again:

"I think there is a majority who would say that they dont agree with bombings/killings but they understand where that's coming from. And that's where the whole problem starts."

It perfectly fits my answers to your questions. Separatist and extremists get sympathy, though not total support in all areas. Where support is not coming, they manage to instill enough fear in population not to protest openly.

Thai army long ago sorted the areas into red green and orange - red ones, about 150 villages, are completely lost and a no go zone for Thais. Another example is downtown Yala where extremists declared Firday a holiday and no one dared to open his shop for business despite Thaksin's personal assurances of safety.

Not everyone supports the bombings and killings, even for a cause, but nearly everyone is united in the fight against Thai government.

thanks for that.

[LaoPo]

PM chairs the Cabinet meeting via videoconference

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has chaired the Cabinet meeting via videoconference from the United States of America and ordered relevant units to assist families who were affected from the explosion in Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่) District of Songkhla (สงขลา) Province. The Cabinet meeting has been linked to Hat Yai through videoconference.

Hat Yai local administrators reported the situation in Hat Yai to the Prime Minister. According to the report, the officials are rapidly providing assistance to the stricken families.

Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin also consulted with Social Development and Human Security Minister Wattana Muangsook (วัฒนา เมืองสุข) on the relief efforts. 200,000 baht of financial aid will be donated to each injured person, while 6,000 baht will be given to the people who have died from the blast.

The Prime Minister said that Mr. Wattana should increase the amount of the financial aid while Mr. Wattana said this amount of money is only an initial assistance. Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin has reminded the officials to provide good care to the troubled families.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 September 2006

How much is a life worth nowadays....and how are they going to spent the money......?

...and: how thoughtful of the Care-taker PM.....

LaoPo

[wilko]

PM chairs the Cabinet meeting via videoconference

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has chaired the Cabinet meeting via videoconference from the United States of America and ordered relevant units to assist families who were affected from the explosion in Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่) District of Songkhla (สงขลา) Province. The Cabinet meeting has been linked to Hat Yai through videoconference.

Hat Yai local administrators reported the situation in Hat Yai to the Prime Minister. According to the report, the officials are rapidly providing assistance to the stricken families.

Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin also consulted with Social Development and Human Security Minister Wattana Muangsook (วัฒนา เมืองสุข) on the relief efforts. 200,000 baht of financial aid will be donated to each injured person, while 6,000 baht will be given to the people who have died from the blast.

The Prime Minister said that Mr. Wattana should increase the amount of the financial aid while Mr. Wattana said this amount of money is only an initial assistance. Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin has reminded the officials to provide good care to the troubled families.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 September 2006

How much is a life worth nowadays....and how are they going to spent the money......?

...and: how thoughtful of the Care-taker PM.....

LaoPo

I would have thought this would drive a load more people into the arms of the insurgents!

[Jai Dee]

PM Thaksin orders ministers not to travel out of the country

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has ordered all the ministers not to travel out of Thailand for now, except for necessary issues. He said the country is currently facing an unusual situation.

Deputy Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul (อนุทิน ชาญวีรกุล) disclosed after the Cabinet meeting that the premier has prohibited the ministers to travel abroad as internal issues are deemed unusual. However, they can travel to foreign countries if their reasons are indispensable.

Mr. Anutin also said that Prime Minister Thaksin might take a trip to Hat Yai District of Songkhla Province to visit the injured people from the bombing incident. He said the Public Health Ministry will utterly tend the injured victims and will take care of the medical expenses for both Thai and foreign patients.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 September 2006

[Jai Dee]

Bomb threats in many schools in Songkhla

Many schools in Songkhla Province have announced the cancellation of their classes today (September 19) after acknowledging that explosives were planted inside the institutions.

Parents rushed to pick up their children after becoming aware of the rumours. Consequently, the schools announced a temporary closure.

Following the simultaneous bomb blasts in Hat Yai last Saturday, the director of Songkhla Kindergarten School said the district may be a target of insurgents' attack.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 September 2006

[Jai Dee]

Gen. Chitchai says emergency decree is not necessary for Songkhla at the moment

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting today, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit insisted it was not necessary to impose the emergency decree in Sonkhla Province, especially in Hat Yai District.

Gen. Chitchai said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has urged for the installation of additional close-circuit televisions (CCTVs) in the province and the arrest of militants who planted explosives in the hub of Songkhla last Saturday.

Regarding the bomb threats in many schools in Songkhla today, Gen. Chitchai stated that the rumours must be proven immediately, while urging everyone to closely follow up with the situation for their own safety.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 September 2006

[Losangels]

What the fck is he doing in the States right now instead of heading immediately back home to asses the situation. Where is the leadership??

They'll be plenty of photo-op with world leaders when things hopefully get back to normal.

Oh I forgot he'll help only those provinces that supports TRT, the hel_l with provinces that don't support him and his party

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Abhisit : the government should admit that it failed in solving unrest situation in Deep South

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ) agrees with the statement of former Forth Army Area Commander Pantheo Puvanartnurak (ปานเทพ ภูวนารถนุรักษ์) that the government should accept that it has failed in solving the unrest situation in the three southern border provinces. He said justice should be developed in the region, and the government should be sincere in solving the problems.

Before Mr. Abhisit traveled to Hat Yai District of Songkhla Province to visit the local people who were injured from the recent explosion, he said the government should adjust the strategies by developing justice in the area.

The Democrat leader said there is a need for the government to create a good understanding with the local residents and urge them to accept the changes in the policies. He said the government should be clear in administrating the problems.

He added that the government should implement the advices of the National Reconciliation Commission in the area. He said it will take time to eliminate the problems but they should be eased if the government can adjust its strategies in solving the unrest situation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 September 2006

[sonnyJ]

PM chairs the Cabinet meeting via videoconference

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has chaired the Cabinet meeting via videoconference from the United States of America and ordered relevant units to assist families who were affected from the explosion in Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่) District of Songkhla (สงขลา) Province. The Cabinet meeting has been linked to Hat Yai through videoconference.

Hat Yai local administrators reported the situation in Hat Yai to the Prime Minister. According to the report, the officials are rapidly providing assistance to the stricken families.

Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin also consulted with Social Development and Human Security Minister Wattana Muangsook (วัฒนา เมืองสุข) on the relief efforts. 200,000 baht of financial aid will be donated to each injured person, while 6,000 baht will be given to the people who have died from the blast.

The Prime Minister said that Mr. Wattana should increase the amount of the financial aid while Mr. Wattana said this amount of money is only an initial assistance. Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin has reminded the officials to provide good care to the troubled families.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 September 2006

How much is a life worth nowadays....and how are they going to spent the money......?

...and: how thoughtful of the Care-taker PM.....

LaoPo

I would have thought this would drive a load more people into the arms of the insurgents!

Dead don't vote.

[Jai Dee]

Bomb attacks in Hat Yai has led to repercussions to businesses at nearby provinces

Last week’s bomb blasts in the southern tourist town of Hat Yai affected businesses not only in Songkhla but also nearby provinces of Satun, Phatthalung, Trang, Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani as tourists cancelled their trips to these areas.

Olarn Ouyakul (โอฬาร อุยะกุล), chairman of the Industrial Council of Songkhla, said tourism and related businesses, including hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops and traditional massages were the first to experience a slump. Mr. Olarn estimated the bomb attacks in Hat Yai have already cost this tourist resort's income worth one billion baht.

He said retail and wholesale businesses will also be affected if nothing is done to end the southern violence.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 September 2006

[BlackJack]

Bomb attacks in Hat Yai has led to repercussions to businesses at nearby provinces

Last week’s bomb blasts in the southern tourist town of Hat Yai affected businesses not only in Songkhla but also nearby provinces of Satun, Phatthalung, Trang, Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani as tourists cancelled their trips to these areas.

Olarn Ouyakul (โอฬาร อุยะกุล), chairman of the Industrial Council of Songkhla, said tourism and related businesses, including hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops and traditional massages were the first to experience a slump. Mr. Olarn estimated the bomb attacks in Hat Yai have already cost this tourist resort's income worth one billion baht.

He said retail and wholesale businesses will also be affected if nothing is done to end the southern violence.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 September 2006

Lets see what happens under martial law

[yeikloen]

Lets see what happens under martial law

Its going to be worst.....

even the immigration at Bukit Kayu Hitam (Malaysian Side) is advising its citizen not to go into Thailand.....

TOUGH TIMES

[penzman]

I think you are wrong. You will see that Thaksin's incompetence to deal with such situations was the main reason that things had gotten worse over the last years.

And, Malaysia is not alone in advising its citizens not to travel to Thailand. Most countries have done so but the present situation doesn't point to any violence accompanying the coup.

[yeikloen]

Firstly, I am just referring to southern Thailand, mainly Hat Yai which I was actually there during the bombing. Lucky I had just left the area before the bomb happen. Another friend of mine who was staying in a hotel 500m away from the bombs checked-out from the hotel immediately after hearing and seeing smokes from the 3rd explosion together with a lot of other guests and most of them are tourist from Malaysia.

18 months ago when 3 bomb exploded in Hat Yai and Songkhla with one person killed there was a drastic drop in tourism, this time, 4 killed and headlines in all malaysian media, I will see a sharp drop in tourism in the next few months. Remember going for a traditional massage they were asking us to help them spread the news that Hat Yai is very safe to go.

Currently most of the hotel occupancy in Hat Yai are below 50%, but I do really hope the tourim industry in the south will gradually return to normal.

I think you are wrong. You will see that Thaksin's incompetence to deal with such situations was the main reason that things had gotten worse over the last years.

And, Malaysia is not alone in advising its citizens not to travel to Thailand. Most countries have done so but the present situation doesn't point to any violence accompanying the coup.

[1900]

I've never trusted hotel stay figures ever since the Tsunami. Phuket was saying "now up to 40%" I was there for a week and and looked to me to be something closer to 5% and most were NGOs.

[number6]

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee and here go the anti-Muslim rants ......

I for one am getting fed up with people making excuses - I would love to see

them oderate muslims come out and condem this sort of thing - but hardly any do

So its not surprising that all over world peolle are getting fed up with

this type of muslim fundamentalism - you say something against allah

and they want to kill you - why is their faith so pathetic that they cant

even stand slightest critasism

I know its what the evil yes evil fundamentalists want but muslims

throughout world are not making it easy to support their right to

be here or anywhere

We should introduce laws that automatically deport any muslim or

other faith saying anything intolerent of anothers faith - if their a citizan

of the country then dont deport they should be jailed

[wilko]

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee and here go the anti-Muslim rants ......

I for one am getting fed up with people making excuses - I would love to see

them oderate muslims come out and condem this sort of thing - but hardly any do

So its not surprising that all over world peolle are getting fed up with

this type of muslim fundamentalism - you say something against allah

and they want to kill you - why is their faith so pathetic that they cant

even stand slightest critasism

I know its what the evil yes evil fundamentalists want but muslims

throughout world are not making it easy to support their right to

be here or anywhere

We should introduce laws that automatically deport any muslim or

other faith saying anything intolerent of anothers faith - if their a citizan

of the country then dont deport they should be jailed

So you've covered the world's papers and thought deeply about this to come to this conclusion? Or is it just a dum knee-jerk reaction - a conclusion that you like because it bolsters some pathetic racist, xenophobic or bigotted mind-numbimgly stupid, ill thought out, brainlees piece of utterly prejudiced thinking that you cling to as you are unable to have any rational thought on the subject?

[chonabot]

Yes , cease the flaming chaps , or this enchanting little thread will bite the dust.

[1900]

For the past five years I've been wondering .. why haven't they gone to Phuket, Samui, Tao, Hua Hin, BKK? If six bombs can be planted in Hat Yai, why on Earth can't they drive a little more and take it where they'll get more bang for their buck? Ever seen a sniffing dog at the ferry landing or at a roadblock? I saw one once, he was sleeping at the feet of a cop ... who was sleeping.

last time I was in Hat Yai the sales people looked sad and they were cranky cause nobody was buying anything. That was a year ago. There was a news story that said hotel occupancy was down to 60% when I was there. Liars, how about 5%. Imagine what it is today .. no%.

Edited September 23, 2006 by 1900

[meemiathai]

For the past five years I've been wondering .. why haven't they gone to Phuket, Samui, Tao, Hua Hin, BKK? If six bombs can be planted in Hat Yai, why on Earth can't they drive a little more and take it where they'll get more bang for their buck? Ever seen a sniffing dog at the ferry landing or at a roadblock? I saw one once, he was sleeping at the feet of a cop ... who was sleeping.

Incapability.

[jdinasia]

For the past five years I've been wondering .. why haven't they gone to Phuket, Samui, Tao, Hua Hin, BKK? If six bombs can be planted in Hat Yai, why on Earth can't they drive a little more and take it where they'll get more bang for their buck? Ever seen a sniffing dog at the ferry landing or at a roadblock? I saw one once, he was sleeping at the feet of a cop ... who was sleeping.

because since the 1960's this seperatist movement has been local ... not branching out to target people outside of their own area .....<if the Hat Yai bombings were carried out in fact by the seperatists then they are striking at the closest financial hub.

Edited September 23, 2006 by jdinasia

[BlackJack]

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee and here go the anti-Muslim rants ......

I for one am getting fed up with people making excuses - I would love to see

them oderate muslims come out and condem this sort of thing - but hardly any do

So its not surprising that all over world peolle are getting fed up with

this type of muslim fundamentalism - you say something against allah

and they want to kill you - why is their faith so pathetic that they cant

even stand slightest critasism

I know its what the evil yes evil fundamentalists want but muslims

throughout world are not making it easy to support their right to

be here or anywhere

We should introduce laws that automatically deport any muslim or

other faith saying anything intolerent of anothers faith - if their a citizan

of the country then dont deport they should be jailed

you can cut to the chase by simply saying that anti discrimination laws need to be put in place. THis takes care of the need to rant and rave and sound like a racist!

good luck in convincing Thailand that they need these laws