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

Posted by Glen on December 20, 2010 13:51

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

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