Bombs in Bangkok
2 killed in Bangkok blasts; New Year's events canceled
BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Thai authorities have canceled all major New Year's celebrations in Bangkok after at least seven explosions ripped through several areas of the capital, killing two people, police and hospital officials say.
At least 12 other people were wounded in Sunday's attacks, which appeared to have been coordinated, and took place hours before New Year's Eve celebrations at midnight (noon ET).
Major events in Thailand's second largest city, Chiang Mai, have also been canceled.
Chief government spokesman Yongyud Maiyalab warned people to be cautious but not to panic.
One of the blasts occurred at a mall near the Victory Monument in the center of the Thai capital, Reuters reported.
Michelle Malkin has more here.
*** Bombs in Bangkok
See-Dubya
Eight bombs went off, total, in shopping centers, supermarkets (Tesco is a British chain, FWIW), and a river pier, with a ninth found and defused. Thai police sent everyone home from New Years’ parties which may have saved a few lives. At this point (2:37 PM Pacific) the toll is two dead, thirty injured.
There’s a reasonable argument to be made that this is about domestic politics. Thailand suffered a military coup earlier this year, and the Bangkok Post describes some ongoing resistance to them of the pyromaniacal persuasion.
Still, unlike the Madrid Airport bomb, this involves a series of blasts with no warning and innocent civilian targets. Looks like the signature of an Al-Qaeda analogue.
|
