Thai police say bombings acts of sabotage, not terrorism
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 August 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Thai police say bombings acts of sabotage, not terrorism, 12 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db99ea3.html [accessed 19 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 12, 2016
Thai police say a series of bombings that have killed four people and rattled tourist destinations in the south were acts of local sabotage and not "terrorist" in nature.
"This is not a terrorist attack. It is just local sabotage that is restricted to limited areas and provinces," national police deputy spokesman Piyapan Pingmuang told reporters in Bangkok on August 12.
Blasts were reported earlier on August 12 in the popular tourist town of Phuket, as well as Trang and Surat Thani.
They came a day after bombings in the seaside resort town of Hua Hin killed one and wounded nearly 20 more people – half of them foreigners.
It wasn't immediately clear who was behind the attacks, but observers pointed to their timing, saying they could have been carried out by opponents of the nation's ruling junta.
The junta's leadership last weekend organized a successful referendum on a new constitution that critics say will bolster the military's power for years to come.
Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
