Second Explosion in Bangkok

[iammalcolmx]

Thank god this one wasn't deadly but still.



www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/18/432690310/a-second-explosion-hits-bangkok-as-police-track-down-suspect-in-first-blast

As police searched for a man they believe was responsible for a blast that killed at least 20 and injured 140 on Monday, a second explosion hit Bangkok on Tuesday.

The second explosion was not deadly. According to the Bangkok Post, someone threw a pipe bomb off a bridge. The bomb hit a pillar, detonated, and sent "up a large plume of water."

The blast on Monday was caused by a improvised explosive device. The AP reports that police released security video of a man wearing a yellow shirt, who they say placed the device in a bustling area of town.

The AP reports:

"Police Lt. Gen. Prawut Thavornsiri earlier released several photos of the man, with and without the backpack, that were apparently taken from closed-circuit video at the Erawan Shrine, before the bomb exploded near a busy intersection. ...

"Monday's blast, from an improvised explosive device, took place around 7 p.m. local time near the shrine, a Hindu religious site popular with Thai Buddhists and Chinese tourists. It is located in a bustling area. Thailand's prime minister vowed to track down those responsible.

"Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said 'some suspects' were seen in security-camera footage, and described the incident as the worst attack in the country's history."

The BBC reports that the neither the suspects nor their motives have been identified. The BBC adds:

"There is no shortage of potential suspects - people might wonder if it was the Muslim insurgency fighting for an independent state in the deep south. Lots of bombs go off there but, the insurgents have never perpetrated an attack outside their own area, so this would be an entire change in tactics.

"People also look at the recent political violence and wonder if factions who lost out might have been involved.

"It will be some time before the government gives some idea of what we should be looking for."

[Cicero]

Has no one taken credit? It seems to be a bit of a stretch to be hanging this on the Muslim separatists at this point. They've always been pretty open about what they're doing and they have never really strayed far from the Malaysian border. Especially with the political issues Thailand has it seems like there should be multiple viable options.

[sushi]

I wonder if this is related to the first or someone taking advantage of the chaos.

[sushi]

Aug 18, 2015 6:58:37 GMT -5 Cicero said:

Has no one taken credit? It seems to be a bit of a stretch to be hanging this on the Muslim separatists at this point. They've always been pretty open about what they're doing and they have never really strayed far from the Malaysian border. Especially with the political issues Thailand has it seems like there should be multiple viable options.

I'd put money on a Uighur group upset about last month's deportation before I'd guess the southern separatists. 

[Velar Fricative]

Terrible, I'm glad no one was killed this time.