crellston

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

CaliNurse

Oh no!! thank you for this information.

thursdaysd

So sad! Thanks for the links.

LancasterLad

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

yestravel

Just saw this -- horrible.

Kathie

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

CaliforniaLady

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

crellston

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.

crellston

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand

progol

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

LancasterLad

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.

LancasterLad

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

Kathie

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.

jhubbel

Sickening and sad.

yestravel

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.

LancasterLad

yestravel - You answered my point.

crellston

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.

LancasterLad

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.

jobin

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/.

thursdaysd

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.