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Bombings Put Bangkok On EdgeDecember 31st, 2006Bangkok, Thailand - Terrorist bombings have left two people dead and at least 20 injured in Bangkok, Thailand. 
At least six blasts at widely-scattered places occurred within an hour or so as streets were filling up with people ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations. The city mayor ordered the cancellation of two major public celebrations and other smaller ones, AP reported. Many Thais suspect the bombs were the work of opponents of the current military government, which forced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from office in September. The largest bomb or grenade explosion went off near a bus station next to one of Bangkok's busiest intersections, Victory Monument. Police said this caused the biggest number of casualties. Reports suggest the device was planted beneath a seat at a bus stop or in a rubbish bin. One witness who was standing nearby, 17-year-old Chalermsak Sanbee told Reuters news agency: "There was a big bang and people started screaming and running. I saw people with blood all over their legs and faces." National police chief General Ajirawit Suphanaphesat said the authorities were inspecting other locations where suspicious packages were found. BBC News |