When these bombings took place, initial reports attributed them to the jihadists in southern Thailand. I posted a story to that effect here. Then later the current Prime Minister of Thailand, a Muslim, blamed them on his predecessor, whom he had removed from office in a coup. I noted this in an update to the story, and later took it down altogether since the incident didn't seem jihad-related -- which didn't stop the flood of "You rushed to judgment" emails from coming in from those who feel threatened by this site, despite the fact that in both the original posting and the update I had simply reported what was in the wire service reports.
Anyway, it looks as if those who "rushed to judgment" were correct: Thai intelligence has uncovered a link to Jemaah Islamiah. "Bangkok bombings the work of JI," by Ron Corben in The Australian, with thanks to JE:
THAI intelligence agencies say operatives of the regional terror network Jemaah Islamiah were directly involved in the New Year's Eve bombings in the Thai capital that left three dead and 40 wounded.In reports seen by The Weekend Australian, the agencies say a key JI leader in Thailand's southern Narathiwat province was directly involved in the planning of the operation. The link contradicts earlier comments by military-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont who said the bombings appeared to be unrelated to the violence in the south, which has claimed more than 1800 lives since early 2004.
"From the evidence we have gathered, there is a slim chance that it is related to the southern insurgency," Mr Surayud said in the early hours of New Year's Day soon after the bloodshed.
"It is likely related to people who lost political benefits," he said, referring to the former Thaksin Shinawatra administration that was ousted in a coup in September amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power and fears of street clashes.
In an interview with CNN this week, Mr Thaksin, who is now living in exile, denied any involvement with the attacks.
No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings.
The eight bombs, set in crowded tourist areas that left at least seven foreigners among the wounded, cast a pall over the city that had largely escaped violence in a year of political turmoil.
However, Thai intelligence reports draw a direct link with the southern insurgency, including JI.
There are no reports about that in Thailand yet.
Instead police have arrested about 15 officials and privates under the martial law for questioning.
Another observation I made is that every friday at midnight Thai TV channel 3 airs a Muslim program about Saddam, the whole Arabic region, making pro islamic and anti American propaganda. This happened just last night again.
http://www.civoc.com/society/?p=151
I just sent mail to the English media in Thailand but it looks like as if the junta still wants to play the conspiracy game and keep on airing anti American propaganda.
Having spent some time in that area of the world 39 years ago, theres a group of people called mountenards that don't take kindly to strangers interfering with their life style. I wonder how they are reacting to these islamic clowns?
Having spent some time in that area of the world 39 years ago, theres a group of people called mountenards that don't take kindly to strangers interfering with their life style. I wonder how they are reacting to these islamic clowns?
Posted by: OLD SARGE [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 20, 2007 08:48 AM
Jim Thompson?
Seems like censorship is in full swing in Thailand, still no reports about the inteligence findings.
So Denial is a river in Thailand?
Gee, now don't THAT come as a big surprise!!!!!!!!!
Islamists!!!!
Imagine that!
The Democrats will never believe that. I mean, didn't the great Michael Moore(-on) himself scream to a mob "THERE IS NO TERRORIST THREAT!!!!"
Islamists??? Hah!!!!
Arnie
GREAT WORK FOR FOLLOWING THIS ON THROUGH..
To the editor,
>>> the flood of "You rushed to judgment" emails from coming in from those who feel threatened by this site,
If you are referring to me I would again point out that no initial reports attributed the bombings to Jihadists, they merely speculated that jihadists might be behind them, among other groups. You stated it as fact when the facts were not in. The facts still are not in. My pointing this out is not an attack on you or your work, which I support, and as a scholar you should know that rushing to judgment is never correct. REgardless of how it turns out later; there is no internal validty in that.
>>>Anyway, it looks as if those who "rushed to judgment" were correct:
An article published in an Australian paper quoting unnamed sources hardly proves anything. First, Australian newspapers and their government have a notorious reputation for almost never getting it right about SE Asia. Look at all the warnings and advisories they have posted over the past four years about things that were proven later to be groundless. Their record is worse than that of the typical economist.
Here, on the ground, Thai intelligence agencies have said no such thing as what this one Australian paper has reported, they have in fact refuted it. And the terrorist organizations like PULO, themsleves, have said they were not behind the bombs.
>>>No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings.
In my opinion it is more likely that this article in the paper is just another attempt by Australia’s government to draw Thailand into their war on terror and force a split between our good relations with Indonesia. Things are never very black and white here.
Also, today the police have arrested 15 suspects, including rogue military officers who had access to the type of military grade accelerate used by the Thai army and found in the bombs used.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/21Jan2007_news01.php
Posted by: laosuwan at January 20, 2007 10:58 PM
laosuwan ?
You apparently think ill of the Australian govt??
Not particularly, not as much as many Australians I meet do, but Australia does try to drag us and other countries into their bilateral problems with other Asian states from time to time. To me, this article simply seems to be another case of the same.
Thailand does not have a close relationship with Indonesia....
I am sorry, but it does. Certainly better than Australia. The relations between Thailand and Indonesia are very cordial and there is much cooperation on trade and investment.
Both the Australian government and the Australian people have a good relationship with Thailand's Christian and Buddhist people.
The Australian government has a relationship with the Australian people, it does not have a relationship with the Thai people.
None of us have anything but disgust for Muslims and Islam, tho.
Is that what has you so riled?
Disgust is not a virtue to us; even so, that does not mean I am riled. I am simply pointing out that it is silly to blame the bombings here on Jihadists if they themselves deny it and all indications point equally in other directions.
http://english.people.com.cn/200701/05/eng20070105_338598.html
To jump to conclusions only puts the creditability of Jihad Watch at risk, crying wolf, as I believe you call it. Reactionary response to anyone who does not agree with another’s world view seems rather much like the people you are always condemning. I am all for getting rid of Islamic troublemakers but, like Christ said, you have to hate the sin not the sinner.
L
laosuwan,
Can you make some comment of Thai channel 3?, -which I personally observed and which aired 2 weeks in a row pro islamic and anti American propaganda, obvilously without any factual backings, just making accusations, with one aim only, to create anti American sentiments.
It was aired at midnight for about 40 minutes. The Muslim contact is Ramkhamhaeng. Guess, coming friday again.
What about Singapore? Chasing away an ally?
Who were the 6 demonstrators infront of the Singaporean Embassy? Ramkhamhaeng Muselmans?
What is your opinion of the anti American sentiment on Thai TV, but full censorship at the other hand? Having censored the CNN interview with Thaksin for example, I couldn't find anything that would would be worthwhile to trigger a censor button, Thaksin reacts very responsible instead.
Now look, since the coup we observe ONLY mistakes.
Don't you think that FTA programs will be scrutinized now? A junta just doesn't fit into anything what includes "free".
In fact it looks like a one eyed pirate(Sonthi) carrying a parrot(Surayud) on his shoulder who is eating from the pirates's hand with the influence of the ghost(Aree).
Motivation, confidence and self esteem is pretty down in Thailand, especially in Bangkok and not as we used to know Thailand, as the land of smiles.
What about the phychological damage done? Many parents don't send their kids to school. I'm not talking about the South but Bangkok. Enthusiam to learn has disappeared and of today it seems that more Muslims patrolling the road than ever before, I even saw muslim police on Ram Intra.
The impact of
In reports ""seen by"" The Weekend Australian, the agencies say a key JI leader in Thailand's southern Narathiwat province was directly involved in the planning of the operation.
laosuwan,
do you doubt that? - "seen by" or would you agree that the whole thing is side-tracked by your junta at the costs of the Thai population?
Of course Sonthi must act against it, Aree too.
Sonthi was the one who said "I'm more than 100% sure that this has nothing to do with the Southern insugency".
According to my contacts in two of the major western embassies here the culprits were the current military and not those from the south.
Any official report from Thailand, particularly from any ruling group, is about as accurate as praise for Israel from its neighbors.
The reasons behind the bombings were most likely political and designed to give more power to the military in the new constitution.