Bombs in Thailand
 

Just caught some news reports of bomb blasts in Hua Hin and Phuket.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37049989

http://news.sky.com/story/thai-resor...lasts-10532312

Oh no!! thank you for this information.

So sad! Thanks for the links.

The 3 times a week excellent night market at Bang Niang [Khao Lak] went up in flames overnight too.

Just saw this -- horrible.

Khao Lak, too? A friend in Thailand emailed me about the attacks in Hua Hin, Phuket, Surat Thani and Trang. Very sad.

This is so tragic. The crazy world has just gone crazier. Thank you for posting, Clive.

I think what is really concerning is that previously, such attacks were confined to the far south where few tourists venture. It does seem as though now, tourist orientated places like Hua Hin and Khao Lak are being targeted.

Oh, no, this is such sad news - really awful.

The world is full of nutters.....how many innocent victims of gun crime are there in the USA every year? Are the statistics likely to reduce? Doubt it.

There are more innocents zapped in a single air strike in Syria every day of the week.

Life goes on. Stay sober, remain vigilant at all times.

The fire that torched Bang Niang night market [Khao Lak] was apparently triggered by a defective refrigerator.

While this is being blamed on Muslim extremists from the far south of Thailand, rumors in Thailand are that is was the work of Thaksin. The approval of the new constitution was perceived as a blow to Thaksin who has anticipated that he'd be able to return at some point and re-asssume power.

Sickening and sad.

LL - what's your point? We all know the world has become more dangerous whether its wars, terroist attacks, internal strife or gun violence in the USA. That doesnt make these bombings any less concerning and sad.

yestravel - You answered my point.

LL. I confess, like yestravel, I am missing your point and indeed the connection between air strikes in Syria, bombs in Thailand and gun crime in the USA.

The point of my posting those links was to raise the awareness of those who may actually be travelling to Thailand and the fact that, in addition to the country's well documented problems with a military dictatorship, it appears that, extremists of whatever political persuasion, could now be specifically targeting tourism. A very concerning development for any traveller.

Of course it's concerning, I never suggested otherwise.

But life has to go on, remain vigilant and aware of your immediate environment. Or if you feel threatened at the thought of a bit of sporadic terrorism, then put your own safety first, and don't go.

Kathie's assertion of rumors implicating Thaksin have been totally denied and discounted by more knowledgeable folks, who are much closer to the scene than couch sitters in USA.

I can tell you that many folks in Thailand do not like, nor want, the military (and wealthy elite) running the country as a military camp.

Who set these bombs? If no real evidence available, (cctv, fingerprints, phone records, etc), the police/military will settle on a convenient goat.

Some comments on Thai politics, and all SEAsia, can be found here:
http://asia.nikkei.com/.

I read an article recently that said that either way the vote went the military won. If the referendum had failed they would simply have stayed in power. And 60% of a 55% turnout hardly looks like a vote of confidence.

Whereas it is still deemed unlikely that Southern separatists were involved, the actual perpetrators have not declared themselves.
However to suggest it was "Thaksin" is a naive dichotomisation of the situation.

With the referendum, the military junta has tightened it's grip on power and with the upcoming elections is likely to further tighten their grip.... there are plenty of parties - including the democrats - who are not happy with the proposed constitution and there are without doubt some factions who may consider violent opposition a justified road to go down. As any campaigning, debate or criticism of the referendum and constitution was illegal, many people are getting very frustrated at the direction taken by the junta especially concerning any new constitution.

The point being that as the junta tightens its grip on power, the likelihood of guerrilla or terrorist tactics is quite possibly going to increase, as extremists of the opposition sides (& there are many) take matters into their own hands.

I think it is unlikely that the army are in a position to prevent these sort of attacks to any great degree - and this type of thing could be the start of a long rumbling campaign.

How will the government deal with it? My guess is through political clampdowns and various restrictions of civil liberties - this in turn may well affect visitors.

We already have had various measures put forward to trace foreigners using mobile phones, new forms for foreigner to fill in regarding their social media, addresses etc, hotels ordered to inform local police of all guests IDs

In the end Thailand wants tourists - and let's face it the problem is more likely internal than of foreign origin - but at the same time tourists will have to begin to consider whether on not they consider the Thailand is a country they feel happy about visiting, given the potentially increasing restrictions on both visitors and native population.

This isn't going to happen in one swift stroke - but it is quite possible that just as Burma is emerging from a dictatorial military regime, Thailand may be choosing to go in the opposite direction.....watch this space.

Luckily for Thailand most of the tourist to the country don't speak English or Australian!

Without the tourist then most of khunwilko's bars will be closed!

"Without the tourist then most of khunwilko's bars will be closed!" - I'm sorry, can you explain this? or you previous comment?

@jobin - bar girls in CM does not count as "knowledgeable folks"! Who are the "much closer to the scene than couch sitters in USA" people that you have cited? Are they your girl friends' friends?

IMHO Fodors should NOT permit these kind of discussions to take place as it has nothing to do with travel and will only incite "heated" debates. Again, IMHO, this should be move to the "lounge" where KW, LL, join and KW can vent their opinions!

Just a thought for the moderators to consider.

This topic as I've already pointed out is VERY relevant to those visiting or thinking of visiting Thailand. Whether or not you decide to visit is - as they say in Thailand "up to you" - but in order that people can make an informed decision a full discussion has to be regarded as helpful.

However I must say I find it hard to understand what AskOksana thinks they have brought to the discussion. Still hasn't explained the cryptic comments made earlier....

"up to you" how do they say that in Thai?

From Google "มีเมียเป็นอีตัวก็คิดเหมือนอีตัว"

Unable to use the yellow triangle at the moment otherwise I would have pointed out to the moderators that Askosana has just insulted khunwilko in Thai ( as well as doubtful English). Why the likes of jobin and Askoksana. find it necessary to post snide comments and insults I really don't understand.

I posted this originall simply as information very relevant to travel in a very popular region for tourism. If you can't think of anything intelligent to add then don't bother posting. All you manage to do is to make yourself look somewhat sad.

Wow i just woke up to this. What exactly was the insult? All I got from google translate was <i>"I think they are a slut slut"</i> and I have no idea what that imply to?

I think the comment says more about AskOksona than anything else....i'll send a translation to Fodors - see if this poster can be banned

The reason I posted the info I did was because everyone (not just here on Fodors, but also in the Thai and international press) seemed content to blame the bombings on Muslim extremists. It's the same thing we see happen in the US - easier to blamer the usual suspects than it is to look more deeply at the issue.

I don't know who set off the bombs, but I thought people here would be interested in what some Thais are saying about it. It is notable to me that the people most upset about my statement are expats living in Thailand like jobin and KW. I don't know who Ask Oksona or Alistair are.

I expect all of us who visit Thailand are concerned about the situation in Thailand - not just the most recent bombings, but also the political situation. And I fear it may get less stable before it gets more stable.

The correct translation of the Thai phrase used by AO is “If your wife or girl friend is a whore you will think like a whore”!

You are all free here to speak your minds but it seems to me that when others say what they feel you don't respect their thoughts. Bullying Is what is happening on this thread unfortunately.i agree this should be taken to the lounge.

I don't see why a post should be transferred to the lounge simply because some people do not know how to behave.

Agreed, Clive.

How do I find The Lounge please?

I could be wrong, but I believe you have to have joined the Fodor forums by 2013, and it looks like you joined the following year, LL. Only members joining by that time can access the lounge via the drop down menu.

CL. Thanks, probably just as well.

Hi Everyone..
Thai Visa.com is a great site to join.keeps u up to date on what's going on
in Thailand and Asia.