MediaWATCH Special Report
TWO tourists were among the killed and wounded when a series of blasts rocked Bangkok tonight. The first blast came at 8pm and was followed quickly by others.
By 10.30pm one death was reported, with 75 injured. One of the wounded was said to be an Australian. Most of the blasts were caused by a grenade launcher, near Saladaeng BTS station and the area being held by reds.
Television images showed people running from the BTS station in panic. At least 10 of the injured were said to be critical.
Here's how other media reported it:
bbc.co.uk Dozens of people are reported to have been injured following a series of explosions in the Thai capital Bangkok. At least some of the blasts were caused by grenades, an army spokesman said, but it was not clear who had fired them. The blasts followed rising tensions in the long-running stand-off between police and anti-government protesters.
Reuters Five M-79 grenades hit an area packed with heavily armed troops and studded with banks, office towers and hotels. Four of the wounded had serious injuries, including two foreigners, according to witnesses, hospital officials and an army spokesman.
abc.net.au A series of suspected grenade attacks rocked Bangkok's business district on Thursday amid a standoff between groups of rival protesters. Initial reports suggested that an M79 grenade launcher caused the explosions, said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn, adding at least one foreigner was wounded. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva immediately called an emergency meeting with security officials.
UKPA Britons should avoid all but ''essential'' travel to Bangkok, the British Government warned. The Foreign Office has changed its travel advice because of fears over the safety of British nationals, given the risk ''that violence could break out without warning''.
cnn.com The blasts happened near a train station where anti-government protesters known as the red shirts are gathered, said Colonel Sansern Kaewkumnerd, spokesman for the Center for Resolutions under Emergency Situation.
nationmultimedia.com A woman became the first fatality of a series of bomb blast on Thursday night. Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit did not name the woman but said the injured people are now treated at many hospitals, including Chulalongkorn, Lertsin, Police, St Louise, BNH and Prince Mongkut. It was not immediately clear who was responsible.
wsj.com In recent weeks several M-79 grenades have been fired at government buildings as tens of thousands of red-wearing antigovernment protesters have massed in Bangkok to demand new elections. But this is the first time the attacks have killed or caused widespread injury, and it's the first time grenades have been fired at targets in densely-populated business areas crowded with commuters.
Sad news indeed Thai's attacking Thai's its all over the world news, My sister has already cancelled her planned holiday to Phuket for Xmas, even despite my telling her there are no problems in Phuket, think it may be a very low High Season next year
Posted by Michael on April 23, 2010 01:29