24.08.09 PAD office attacked in North
Home-made bombs have been hurled into the
compound of a People's Alliance for Democracy office in Chiang Mai
province, damaging two cars and smashing a glass door.
A 60-year-old woman attending a merit-making ceremony for the
opening of the office sustained a broken leg, but it was not clear
whether her injury was caused by the explosion.
The attack took place at 2pm yesterday at the office of the PAD
northern network on Kong Sai Road, opposite Mor Wong hospital, a source
said.
Witnesses said two vans carrying about 20 people wearing crash
helmets pulled up in front of the office. The attackers, armed with
batons, walked towards the office and tried to assault those attending
the merit-making ceremony.
Shortly after, the sound of a bomb blast was heard, causing people inside to flee in panic.
Sarut Kanchanakamol, assistant manager of Mor Wong hospital, said he
believed the attack was the work of a rival group. Police said there
was evidence the bombs used in the attack were mostly ping pong bombs.
A source said a community radio station operated by a pro-Thaksin
Shinawatra group in Chiang Mai had in the morning urged red shirt
supporters to gather and they were told not to wear red.
In another development, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday
warned red shirt members led by the United Front for Democracy against
Dictatorship (UDD) leaders to reconsider whether it was suitable to
wear black to mark Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda's 89th
birthday today.
Mr Abhisit said they should think of the importance of peace in society before making such a move.
He was responding to a call for red shirt members to wear black - as if in mourning - to mark Gen Prem's birthday.
The prime minister also said he had assigned security officials to
handle the UDD's planned rally in front of Government House next Sunday.
Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej also appealed to the UDD to end its
movement after it submitted its petition seeking a royal pardon for
convicted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
In a different development, the May Heroes Relatives Group came out
yesterday to oppose the coalition Bhumjaithai Party's proposed amnesty
bill for political demonstrators who took to the streets last year and
this year.
Group leader Adul Khieoboriboon said his group disagreed with the
bill as it would clear security officers of using force during
crackdowns on demonstrators.
The May Heroes Relatives Group was formed to remember those killed
or maimed by government forces during the May 1992 protests which led
to the dismissal of the government led by the unelected Gen Suchinda
Kraprayoon. Source: Bangkok Post, 24.08.09 http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/22576/pad-office-attacked-in-north
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