Coss Posted January 26, 2011 Report Share Posted January 26, 2011 Five men appear at a news conference held yesterday by Bangkok police together with weapons and explosives, including bombs and grenades, allegedly seized from the men on Monday night. It is thought that at least some of the explosives were to be used to disrupt the yellow shirt rally now being held in the capital. APICHART JINAKUL Govt accused of trying to scare off protesters Published: 26/01/2011 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: News Key yellow and red shirt members are accusing the government of stage-managing the arrest of five bomb suspects on Monday to rattle anti-government protesters and provoke a clash between the two rival groups. The groups aired their suspicions yesterday even though one of the suspects allegedly confessed to police he planned to attack the yellow shirt demonstration being held yesterday. A group of five men were arrested on Monday evening with home-made explosive devices and a large amount of ammunition. Police said the men claimed they planned to target protesters to disrupt the yellow shirt demonstration. Praphan Khoonmee, a key member of the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, said the arrest of the suspected bombers and the seizure of their weapons was very suspicious just one day before the PAD rally. He said the government was trying to frighten protesters because it feared the PAD protest could go on for a while. "The five people claimed they were red shirt guards to make their story believable," Mr Praphan said. "Actually, these people are taxi motorcycle riders and had done no wrong. But the police were holding them for a purpose and decided to use them in the set-up." He said Tawatchai Iamnak, the first suspect arrested, allegedly with two bombs, at Misakawan intersection confessed and took police to his rented house where weapons including many grenades and bullets were allegedly found. Four other people were arrested. The police then swiftly called a news conference. Mr Praphan noted the arrest took place at Misakawan intersection, which is under the jurisdiction of Bangkok Police Subdivision 1. But Pol Maj Gen Wichai Sangpraphai, head of the subdivision, claimed to be unaware of the arrest. Mr Praphan said Pol Maj Gen Aswin Kwanmuang, acting commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, who is close to Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, chaired the news conference on Monday night even though he had nothing to do with Bangkok police affairs. The Puea Thai Party MP and co-leader of the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, Jatuporn Prompan, said the arrests were an attempt by police to frame red shirt demonstrators and trigger a conflict between the yellow shirts and red shirts to pave the way for another coup. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday denied the government arranged Monday's arrests. "I am surprised that some [protest] leaders are making this accusation against the government," Mr Abhisit said. "Those arrested are from a group that has been followed for a while. "If a bomb had exploded and a bomber had not been arrested, the government would have been blamed again. "I confirm that the government is duty-bound to take care of all groups of protesters." Pol Maj Gen Aswin claimed Mr Tawatchai confessed to planting bombs in front of Big C superstore on Ratchadamri Road in July 2010, in Soi Rang Nam two months later and in Samut Sakhon province. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted January 26, 2011 Report Share Posted January 26, 2011 Back during WWII, even typewriter manufacturers made parts for mortars in the USA. I can just imagine what Thailand can make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted January 27, 2011 Report Share Posted January 27, 2011 ... what's wrong with good old-fashion pipe bombs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted January 27, 2011 Report Share Posted January 27, 2011 Those HE rounds look like they've been banging around somewhere since the VN War. And just what did they mean to do with those cannister (buckshot) rounds - fire them into crowds? I don't recognise the oversize rounds with a black top. Something since my days in uniform? Corinthian, know what they are? Is it just a coincidence that the bombing has virtually stopped since those red shirt bomb makers blew themselves up in their apartment in Nonthaburi? p.s. @BT - I saw M16A1's in my Army days that were made by Singer. Rumour had it that some were made by Mattel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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