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101576
Thu, 01/21/2010 - 17:22
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http://m.oananews.org//node/101576
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PM: Army headquarters grenade incident 'not serious'
BANGKOK, Jan 21 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said a grenade incident at Thailand’s army headquarters on Rajdamnoen Avenue one week ago was not life-threatening but was only aimed at creating news headlines.
He has, however, ordered a security alert at homes and offices of the country's important persons and key places.
The premier made the comment as the media reported that an M79 rocket grenade was fired into the Royal Thai Army headquarters compound and landed on the sixth floor of army headquarters but not near the office of army commander-in-chief Gen Anupong Paochinda last Thursday (January 14).
Mr Abhisit said he has asked Gen Anupong about the matter and was told that the incident was designed to make news headlines to cause public to fear possible violence in the future.
The premier said the bomb was launched into army headquarters outside office hours and that that there was no indication that those responsible intended to kill or harm anyone.
Mr Abhisit said he has instructed responsible agencies to tighten security at the homes of key public figures and places.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said earlier that the incident proved that some people are attempting to show their capability and that they are ‘above the law’.
Mr Suthep was confident that Gen Anupong and the army can handle the matter, and asserted the government is strong and can maintain law and order.
Late Thursday army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd confirmed the M79 incident affected the sixth floor of the army headquarters, but the grenade was not aimed at the army chief's room.
Col Sansern said that the Army Ordnance Department had not yet confirmed the type of grenade, but the bomb might have been launched during the night and that no one heard the sound.
The army spokesman said he believes that the attack may be aimed at making confusion, not harming the army senior officials.
"The army chief has been informed about the attack since January 15," said Col Sansern. "He believes that the matter is to create a situation and will take legal action against the assailants."
Col Sansern dismissed reports about increased security for the army chief and the army headquarters, saying the measures taken are appropriate. (TNA)
He has, however, ordered a security alert at homes and offices of the country's important persons and key places.
The premier made the comment as the media reported that an M79 rocket grenade was fired into the Royal Thai Army headquarters compound and landed on the sixth floor of army headquarters but not near the office of army commander-in-chief Gen Anupong Paochinda last Thursday (January 14).
Mr Abhisit said he has asked Gen Anupong about the matter and was told that the incident was designed to make news headlines to cause public to fear possible violence in the future.
The premier said the bomb was launched into army headquarters outside office hours and that that there was no indication that those responsible intended to kill or harm anyone.
Mr Abhisit said he has instructed responsible agencies to tighten security at the homes of key public figures and places.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said earlier that the incident proved that some people are attempting to show their capability and that they are ‘above the law’.
Mr Suthep was confident that Gen Anupong and the army can handle the matter, and asserted the government is strong and can maintain law and order.
Late Thursday army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd confirmed the M79 incident affected the sixth floor of the army headquarters, but the grenade was not aimed at the army chief's room.
Col Sansern said that the Army Ordnance Department had not yet confirmed the type of grenade, but the bomb might have been launched during the night and that no one heard the sound.
The army spokesman said he believes that the attack may be aimed at making confusion, not harming the army senior officials.
"The army chief has been informed about the attack since January 15," said Col Sansern. "He believes that the matter is to create a situation and will take legal action against the assailants."
Col Sansern dismissed reports about increased security for the army chief and the army headquarters, saying the measures taken are appropriate. (TNA)
