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Onlookers near the spot on Phuket where a grenade exploded

Photo by phuketwan.com

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Phuket Grenade Blast Kills Two, Injures Four

By Sert Tongdee

Monday, December 20, 2010

Update: Photo Album Above

AN EXPLOSION has killed two people and injured four near the Rassada Pier, the popular departure point for ferries from Phuket to Phi Phi, east of Phuket City.

The blast rocked the area about 1.35pm today. The man who died on the spot was Suthi Seaning, 25. One of his companions was taken to Vachira Hospital in a serious condition and later died of wounds.

Police initially feared terrorist activity, but officers at the scene say the explosion was the result of bizarre action by a man with a grenade.

A group was drinking together around lunchtime, police were told, when Khun Suthi produced the hand grenade. It is believed that in showing the grenade to his companions, he accidentally pulled the pin.

The scene of the fatal blast was cordoned off and bomb disposals officials were involved in the investigation.

Khun Suthi's body remained where he had been sitting, at a round concrete outdoor table in Soi Wanich 1.

Three of the wounded were women, and two were workers from a nearby karaoke.

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Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

How does a grenade get into the hands of civilians?
Insanity.

Posted by Glen on December 20, 2010 13:51

Editor Comment:

There's nothing to say yet that the man was a civilian.

Regardless of how the grenade got into the hands of the man and why it was detonated, the most important fact is that it was done in an area frequented by a large amount of people, most of whom are tourists.

This should serve as a serious warning to the Phuket Police to step up their security and surveillance operations.

Imagine the consequences for Phuket tourism if it had gone off amidst a crowd of tourists boarding a ferry to Phi-Phi.

Posted by Chris on December 20, 2010 16:55

According to one report, the man was a fisherman and that the grenades are used to capture fish. Do you know if this is true.

Amazing, which ever way you look at it, the lack of control over firearms and explosives.

I fully agree with Chris although I would be very surprised if this has not been featured in news across the western world and how much damage will this do to the tourist industry?

Posted by Graham on December 21, 2010 12:18

Editor Comment:

Dynamite was once used to kill fish off Phuket (and it wasn't exactly good for coral) but it's been years since there were reports of it being used. Grenades are made to cause a lot of damage, but underwater? I doubt it.

Quite true.

Dynamite fishing used to be common in and around Phuket and damage caused by it can still be seen in Similan.

I have not seen or heard of it being used here in as long as I've been here (6y+)

However in Burma it is still common. More often than not you can hear the explosions underwater and to see a divesite after the dynamite fishers have gone is a terrible sight.

Half-dead fish in thousands spread all over the bottom, broken off corals and sea fans.

Only a fraction of the fish killed or maimed by the blast raises to the surface, rest is left to rot on the bottom.

A grenade kills by shrapnel, dynamite kills fish by shockwave. I doubt anyone would use a grenade for fishing.

Posted by Chris on December 21, 2010 17:09

Hey Chris, just to let you know, that during the border war between South Africa and Namibia and Angola, hand granade fishing was excellent. Yes the bunny huggers will go through the roof.
You kill lots of fish of any description and some fish in the blast zone come up as ready mix sushi. Killing is by blast concussion and shrapnel.
Used to scare the life out of the terrs though?
Yes grenade fishing was good then, BUT I doubt it is a means of fishing here around Phuket.

Posted by Robin on December 22, 2010 01:46

Sunday April 28, 2024