Security Bangkok

Security Bangkok Update

2015-02-02T09:33:00.001+07:00

Bombs in Siam Paragon

Two bombs exploded at the entrance to a popular mall Sunday night in Bangkok, police said. There were no injuries, according to Lt.Gen. Prawut Thavornsiri, spokesman for Thai police. Two IED-type bombs had been placed behind an electric converter booth, he said. The blasts took place at around 8PM when the mall was crowded. The first explosion forced it to halt service of the BTS Skytrain for about 30 minutes.

Security Bangkok Update

2015-01-10T09:57:00.001+07:00

Yingluck defends rice scheme at impeachment –no supporter protest

Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has defended her impeachment deliberation on the rice pledging scheme yesterday with the NACC and statedthat she was satisfied with her defense. No protests were spotted during the day. The impeachment started as the NACC stated that she had failed in her duty to prevent and suppress corruption in state administration she defended that she had administered the country with justice, transparency and performed all of her duties in accordance with the constitution and laws. When the NACC stated that the rice-pledging scheme resulted in huge losses and affected the country's economy she said that the main aim of the policy was not profit, but to provide a better life for farmers and the poor, and proved to be a success as it provided people with a better income, alleviated poverty and helped economic growth. The former PM then defended her cases against the failure of payment that the failure was due to the protests of the PDRCduring anti-government protests.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-09-08T17:51:00.001+07:00

NCPO plan to ban shisha smoking devices

The National Council for Peace and Order are attempting to ban the import of Middle-Eastern style hookah pipes and baraku tobacco, a device used to smoke tobacco, baraku or shisha, and e-cigarettes. A study found smoking baraku, electric baraku and e-cigarettes are harmful, the Public Health Ministry's Department of Disease Control (DDC) said. The ministry's Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) plan to attach the ministerial regulation to the Export and Import of Goods Act to prevent smoking devices entering the country.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-09-01T16:39:00.000+07:00

Grim search

Divers and rescue workers search for the body of Pongthorn Janthong, 38, who is believed to have drowned when a long-tailed passenger boat he was traveling in crashed into another in Khlong Si Thien Thalae in Bang Khunthien district yesterday.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-07-11T09:52:00.000+07:00

NCPO backs new BBC service

The NCPO has welcomed the launch of the BBC World Service’s new social media service in Thailand, saying it will afford the broadcaster a better understanding of the local situation. The NCPO claimed that the do not have any problem as long as they don’t broadcast information that is negative or have an impact on the stability of the country. The operation will cover local and international news in Thai and English for an initial period of three months.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-06-27T09:42:00.000+07:00

Police to crackdown foreign gangs

The police are looking to launch a massive crackdown on mafia gangs and foreign criminals hiding out in major tourist spots following the arrest of a Russian mafia boss on Monday. The acting commander of the Immigration Bureau stressed the need to crack down on foreign criminals hiding in major tourist provinces such as Pattaya, Samui, Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai. Russian criminal gangs are the main target in Pattaya as Russians also make up the largest portion of tourists in the area as well.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-06-04T12:12:00.001+07:00

40 electricity poles fall in Bangna

At 10:00AM today, an accident caused 40 electric poles along Bangna Trat road at kilometer marker 26 to fall. Six of them are currently blocking the traffic on the road, causing heavy traffic. Officials say that the six poles blocking the road will be moved by noon and the other 34 will be moved by 08:00PM today.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-05-14T14:01:00.001+07:00

Chiang Rai shaked again by 5 magnitude quake

The National Disaster Warning Center confirmed another 5 magnitude earthquake in Chiang Rai’s Mae Lao district on Monday at about 06:05 PM. The shake did not affect local residents that much as the recent 6.3 magnitude quake earlier. The Center claimed that it is not an aftershock of the recent quake though it is another earthquake that happened on the same Phayao fault line. Civilians are warned to be on the lookout for the next 24 hours for aftershocks and other quakes.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-05-06T15:04:00.001+07:00

Weather update

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning that there will be summer storms during 6-7 May in the upper regions of Thailand, while there will be more rain in the south.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-04-11T09:44:00.001+07:00

M79 hits Chaengwattana PDRC protesters

At about 10:45PM last night, reports came in that an M79 grenade was fired in front of the CAT telecom building near where the PDRC protesters on Chaeng Wattana road were rallying. The bomb landed on a PDRC guard's bunker, where 1 guard was injured. Officials state that the bomb was shot from a building near the government complex.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-03-19T12:37:00.001+07:00

20 Billion baht rice payment approved

20 Billion baht has been transferred to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives and farmers should be receiving their cash as soon as Wednesday. The money would be paid to farmers with vouchers for pledged rice only. The government claimed that they would be able to repay the 20 billion baht loan from the Central Budget by the end of May.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-03-05T09:58:00.001+07:00

National Anti-Corruption Commission hit by grenade

Last night a MK2 grenade was thrown into the NACC in Nonthaburi, no injuries were reported. The explosion was reported at 8:15 near an ATM booth inside the NACC compound. The NACC has recently pressed charges against caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for alleged dereliction of duty in the rice pledging scheme.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-02-27T18:01:00.001+07:00

E. Clapton cancels

Guitar legend Eric Clapton has cancelled his concert in Bangkok this weekend due to the political situation. Clapton’s concert was originally scheduled for Sunday at 8pm at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-02-03T16:12:00.001+07:00

Poll fate still in doubt

Yesterday's general election went smoothly in most constituencies nationwide, but the fate of the poll remains uncertain. Legal problems could render the election null and void. The EC yesterday had to cancel voting at 10,283 polling stations in 69 constituencies nationwide. Poll reruns will be held for about 8.75 million voters affected by yesterday's disruptions. Democrat Party deputy leader Ong-art Klampaiboon said the party is gathering evidence to back its plan to ask the court to nullify the election. He could not see how the election would resolve the political crisis, as the vote result could not be announced for several weeks. Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday said she was satisfied that the poll went smoothly, despite disruptions to some polling units.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-01-22T17:00:00.001+07:00

Emergency law 'will harm businesses'

Business leaders called on the government yesterday to reconsider its decision to invoke a state of emergency in the capital and surrounding provinces. They said the move will only heighten the political conflict and further hurt business operators. Tourism Council of Thailand president Piyaman Techapaiboon said the decree will dramatically affect tourism, especially group tours and business travellers who have to visit restricted areas in the city.

Bangkok Security Update

2014-01-20T11:24:00.000+07:00

Violence will only continue

The government is likely to face a prolonged political stand-off with the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) after a series of violent attacks on anti-government protesters. The Banthat Thong Road blast on Friday and the grenade explosion at Victory Monument yesterday are likely to push both sides further apart. Following the Banthat Thong blast, PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban urged protesters in the South to lay siege to government offices starting today. The blockading of state offices is part of the PDRC’s strategy to make Yingluck Shinawatra’s caretaker administration ‘‘a failed government’’. PDRC leader Sathit Wongnongtoey said the protest is entering its final stage where the public will understand the government is a liability.

Security Bangkok Update

2014-01-04T19:37:00.001+07:00

EC confirms poll regardless of registration mess

Parties and candidates who were unable to register candidates for the general election have voiced their anger at yesterday’s decision by the Election Commission (EC) that the Feb 2 poll will go ahead. The EC backed the vote despite 28 southern constituencies not having any candidates, after opponents of the poll blocked entry to the registration venues. The commissioners refused to extend the registration period, frustrating those who wanted to contest the election but could not. The refusal also raised fears the House would be unable to convene and selection of a prime minister would be impossible after the election.

Yesterday, EC secretary-general Phuchong Nutrawong announced the decision . ‘‘Now we have a royal decree for the Feb 2 election, the EC can insist that the election is conducted".

Security Bangkok Update

2013-12-20T19:45:00.001+07:00

5 police escape injury in Pattani bomb blast

Yesterday morning, five policemen escaped unharmed after a bomb exploded while they escorted teachers to work in Kapho district of Pattani province. Pol Lt Waipote Khunthiang said the five policemen were travelling in two armoured pickup trucks when the bomb exploded about 7.50am on Sai BuriRaman Road in tambon Talo Duraman. The explosion happened after the first pickup drove past. The bomb hit the second truck on its left side, damaging three tyres, but its driver continued out of the danger zone to a nearby village before calling for backup.

Security Bangkok Update

2013-12-12T16:48:00.000+07:00

Officials say elections not enough to end crisis

Talks on political reforms are needed to solve the political crisis, top state officials say. Elections called for Feb 2 will not be enough to end the standoff, the nation’s bureaucratic elite said. ‘‘All stakeholders should first initiate a dialogue and make a public commitment to push for political reforms which would help the country avert a similar crisis,’’ they said in a statement. The meeting, which took place on Tuesday evening at the Office of the Civil Service Commission in Nonthaburi and was reportedly arranged on Tuesday evening. It was led by the permanent secretary to PM’s Office Minister Tongthong Chandransu, cabinet secretary-general Ampon Kitti-ampon and Council of State secretary-general Chukiat Rattanachaicharn.

Security Bangkok Update

2013-11-28T11:17:00.001+07:00

Invasions spread as govt digs in

Anti-government protests are escalating as attempts to occupy state offices intensify. It is unclear, however, how the deadlock will end since both sides seem to have their backs to the wall The protesters yesterday rallied at 10 government agencies and encouraged civil servants to stop working for the Pheu Thai-led government. The agencies are Commerce, Culture, Energy, Industry, Labor, Natural Resources and Environment, Public Health, Social Development and Human Security, Science and Technology ministries and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Security Bangkok Update

2013-11-05T10:47:00.001+07:00

Ferry captain hands himself in

Yesterday, the captain of a ferry that capsized off Pattaya on Sunday evening, killing six passengers, turned himself in to police. He admitted being under the influence of drugs while on duty, Chon Buri police chief Pol Maj Gen Katcha Tatusatra said. The captain was named as Saman Khwanmuang.

Security Bangkok Update

2013-10-25T11:56:00.001+07:00

Supreme Patriarch dies at 100

The whole of Thailand and the entire Buddhist community are mourning the loss of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana Mahathera, who passed away at Chulalongkorn Hospital yesterday evening at the age of 100.

Security Bangkok Update

2013-10-08T09:48:00.001+07:00

Center to target foreign motorists

A new service center will be opened in Chiang Mai to ensure foreign visitors driving in Thailand will follow local traffic laws. The center aims to curb road accidents caused by tourists who are unlicensed or unfamiliar with traffic laws.

Security Bangkok Update

2013-10-01T14:46:00.001+07:00

Thailand to host Forbes CEO forum

According to the Foreign Ministry, Thailand will host the Forbes Global CEO Forum next year to boost confidence and build networks for Thai business. The forum will be held in September with no exact date yet confirmed.

Security Bangkok Update

2013-09-11T18:07:00.001+07:00

Panitan questions motive for visa waiver

Chulalungkorn University International Relations lecturer, Panitan Wattanayagorn has questioned whether the government's visa waiver for Montenegrin diplomats and office holders is a reward for the country granting former ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra a passport. Mr Panitan said he did not know why the Foreign Ministry had decided to grant the Montenegrin officials visa free entry as the two countries do not have a special relationship.