DSI says attack on jet fuel tank a 'terrorist act'

Published: 23/04/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section:Bangkok post

The Department of Special Investigation is treating Wednesday's grenade attack on a jet fuel tank as a special case because it constitutes an act of terrorism.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said yesterday a committee led by his department deemed the attack on the tank in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district as a special case because it created a climate of fear and affected national security. It was thus an act of terrorism.

A grenade was fired at the jet fuel tank owned by Thai Petroleum Pipeline Co (Thappline) at 1.15am, causing a fire on the side of the tank. The grenade caused a 4cm hole in the tank, but the fuel failed to ignite because of protective double layering.

There were 9 million litres in the tank at the time of the attack. The tank has a capacity of 22 million litres.

The DSI chief described the attack and last week's bombings at three high voltage electricity pylons in Ayuthaya's Bang Pa-in district as acts of terrorism.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said yesterday the latest attack was linked to other cases of sabotage in Bangkok and nearby provinces.

Provincial Police Region 1 chief Krissada Pankhongchuen yesterday led a team of police and scientists to inspect the affected oil tank which supplies fuel to Suvarnabhumi airport.

A piece of the rocket-propelled grenade fired at the tank was found nearby.

Police believed the assailants fired the RPG from a frontage road that runs parallel to the nearby motorway rather than from the motorway itself.

An engineer at PTT, the largest shareholder in Thappline, said workers yesterday began transferring fuel from the tank so police could examine it. Repairs to the tank would take several days, the engineer said.

In Ayutthaya, security measures will be stepped up at oil and power facilities. Ayutthaya governor Witthaya Piewpong said he would today invite representatives from four oil depots and three power plants in the province to discuss tightening security measures at their facilities.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra admitted the city administration was unable to protect oil depots in Bangkok from attack due to manpower constraints.

Klong Toey district chief Bundit Vinitchaikul said security measures had been increased in the district as there were major oil depots in the area, particularly those of Shell and PTT.

Bomb terror grips Silom

- Four grenades hit business district - 3 people killed, up to 75 injured

Published: 23/04/2010 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: Bangkok post

Silom was turned into a war zone Thursday night after four grenades were fired into the area where anti-red shirt protesters had converged, killing three people and injuring 75 people.

Foreigners were among those hurt.

As the protesters waved national flags to show their opposition to the red shirts and a House dissolution by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, three grenades fired from M79 launchers exploded near 'the skytrain station at 8pm. One came down through the roof of the BTS Sala Daeng station. About 45 minutes later, another grenade landed near the Dusit Thani Hotel on Silom Road.

People then fled for their lives.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thauguban said late last night three people had been killed and 75 people injured, including many serious cases. The injured were sent to Bangkok Christian, BNH, Chulalongkorn and Lerdsin hospitals.

Only one of the three dead was identified, Tanyanan Taebthong. She was 26 years old.

The area near Sala Daeng intersection and the Sala Daeng BTS station had become a protest hotspot over the past few days, as more people living and working there turned up to vent their frustration at the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), which had set up barricades on the other side of the intersection.

US Travel Alert

Travel Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

April 22, 2010

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand of ongoing demonstrations in Bangkok. Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, all U.S. citizens should avoid nonessential travel to Bangkok. Those traveling outside of Bangkok in Thailand should be aware of the possibility of disturbances elsewhere and should exercise caution and good judgment. This replaces the Travel Alert dated April 12, 2010, to update information on security concerns. This Travel Alert will expire on July 22, 2010.

Three Bombs Blast in Yangon

16 April 2010
MRTV-3

Insurgents blasted a series of 3 bombs in front of the X2O Water Pandal on the ring bound of Kandawgyi Lake in Yangon on Thursday. The blasts occurred at about 3 pm, killing 8, and injuring 170 civilians. The injured were immediately sent to the Yangon General Hospital. The bombs were detonated among the crowd celebrating the Myanmar Thingyan Water Festival.

The authorities are investigation the parties responsible for the blasts, and vow to expose the insurgents. Authorities warn the public taking part in the water festival throughout Myanmar including Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay, to be on high alert. And immediately inform relevant authorities if they observe suspicious activities, via telephone or any other means. There is an air of shock and anger at the insurgents responsible, for the death of innocent people, during this time of celebration.