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The "strange" "scene setting" - August 25, 2006
What a week... First the beatings and now something else. The Kom Chad Luek program on TTV 1 is calling today's events "strange" and a "scene setting" for the PM. Various people are being interviewed expressing opinions that the southern "bandits" are behind today's events and others saying it is set up by the government.
Is it an assassination attempt? Was it really a car bomb (or "bomb in a car" as they like to say in Thailand)? Was the man cruising near the PM's soi or picking up a friend?

'Bomb plot to kill Thaksin foiled', questions linger - The Nation, August 25, 2006

Doubts over Thaksin's lucky escape - The Nation, August 25, 2006
...In what was seen as an unprecedented act, Thaksin's security people were extremely helpful with the media, providing photographers with pictures of Lieutenant Thawatchai Klinchana and the explosive materials found in the vehicle.
Thaksin said yesterday that he had been the target of failed assassination plots on at least two occasions in the past two weeks. He claimed one happened when he was getting off his official plane at the Don Muang airforce base, but he did not elaborate.
The premier has made similar claims over the past six years, although none has been proven.
A military strategist also pointed out that the explosive devices in the car yesterday were not assembled or ready to be detonated.
Conflicting statements were issued throughout the day. Initially, investigators on the ground said the bomb was not assembled, but the chief of the Metropolitan Police, Lt-General Wiroj Jantharangsee, told a press conference in the afternoon that it was assembled and ready to be set off...

If I was behind it, I would not have missed: Pallop - The Nation, August 24, 2006
I narrowly escape assassination attempt: Thaksin - The Nation, August 24, 2006
Thaksin sacks Gen Pallop - The Nation, August 24, 2006
Police defuse bomb near residence of Thai prime minister - The Nation, August 24, 2006

GoogleEarth Placemarks: Where the "bomb in car" was stopped - Thaksin's soi: Soi Charansanitwong 69

More on High tension in Thailand

Also: Today is Prem Tinsulanonda's birthday. All the top military brass will come to his house at Si Sao Teves... we can only imagine what will be discussed.

Also: Supposedly due to the pressure from the Channel 9 union workers, Samak resigned from his new radio show after three days (Kom Chad Luek, August 24, 2006).

Right: Krungthep Thurskit, August 25, 2006 - National Bank points out that the bomb news did not effect the economy - Arrest of Pallop’s minion while he was driving and carrying bombs - Government is certain this is (an attempt at) Thaksin's assassination

Left: Khao Sod, August 25, 2006 - Press "the army lieutenant" about the car bomb - Reveal that the plan fails - Maew could survive

Right: Daily News, August 25, 2006 - Bomb Thaksin - Arrest an army lieutenant carrying bombs to bomb Thaksin's motorcade - Order to sack Pallop

Left: Kom Chad Luek, August 25, 2006 - Intercept bombing of Thaksin - Hid bombs in a car - Order to sack Pallop immediately Quote on the left side: Full general Pallop expresses his mind: "If I did it, the PM will not survive."

Incident may prove 'beneficial' for TRT - The Nation, August 26, 2006

Wife told Thawatchai will simply 'die in prison' if he does not confess his crime - The Nation, August 26, 2006

Chamlong says Class 7 officers not behind plot - The Nation, August 26, 2006

Thai leader accuses military officers of assassination bomb plot - AFP, August 25, 2006

Thai defense minister says bomb a plot to bring down government - AFP, August 25, 2006