EDITORIAL: Collar bombers not scapegoats

The series of bombings in Bangkok and Nonthaburi, which injured four people last week, is a challenge to the new Prayut Chan-o-cha administration and those in charge of security affairs.

Security sources immediately linked the incidents to insurgents in the South, but also refused to rule out political motivation.

Several experts said the attacks were well-planned and well-organised with regard to the fact that the bombers timed the incidents to coincide with the Asean ministerial meeting. They also chose strategic locations, including Police Headquarters, which was aborted, the Royal Thai Armed Forced Headquarters, high-end shopping malls, and an area under a BTS Skytrain station bustling during rush hour.

The incidents occurred on the same day that Prime Minister Prayut, who is now in charge of a civilian government, was to make his first visit to the Royal Thai Police head office after pledging to oversee the agency.

It is reported the bombs at several locations were improvised devices triggered by timers and bomb experts were certain they were designed to cause panic rather than inflict mass casualties. The spots chosen indicate the attackers wanted to discredit the new Prayut government at a time when the country was hosting international dignitaries as well as cause a stir — if not provoke terror.

A theory has emerged that certain elements in the southern insurgency may have had a hand in the incident ahead of the forthcoming peace talks about the restive region with hopes that the violence may help raise their leverage. This speculation has arisen partly as a result of the spate of grisly attacks in the deep South over the past few months.

There are reports that police arrested two suspects, both from Narathiwat, while they were heading to their home province. As always, such quick arrests have triggered suspicions with many noting the pair appeared ill-trained for such an organised attack. Police have dismissed earlier reports that they were southern insurgents who wanted to revenge for deadly torture on their comrades in a military camp.

However, police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said an initial police investigation found that the bombings were probably carried out by the same group of insurgents who perpetrated bomb attacks in Hua Hin and six southern provinces on Aug 12, 2016, which killed four and injured several dozen innocent victims. Arrest warrants have been issued for three suspects, connected to a few bombings in the South, who are still at large.

The police chief’s comments supported the theory of army chief Apirat Kongsompong who quickly told the media following the incidents that they were “the work of old groups, with new members”. He even said there were warnings about the attacks but no one thought they would occur during the crucial Asean event.

In recent years, Bangkok has been the scene of quite a few explosions including the massive one at the Erawan Shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection that killed 40 people, mostly Chinese worshippers, on the eve of Aug 17, 2015. The attack was linked to the repatriation of Uighurs to China, as demanded by Beijing. One suspect, supposedly of Uighur origin, was arrested. His bail request was denied and the 32-year-old remains under detention as the court case has been delayed because the state cannot find a translator to pursue the judicial process.

There is also little progress in the investigation of other bombing incidents in the capital including a car explosion in the parking lot of a shopping mall in 2015.

The Aug 1 and 2 attacks are a testament to the need for efficient and ready security personnel. It’s necessary the security authorities be equipped with all the tools necessary, including closed-circuit television and a team of well-trained forensic experts, to enhance their ability to operate effectively and ensure security in the capital and other areas, especially key tourist and business provinces.

But at the same time, the authorities must be fully aware they are obliged to work with professionalism to get the real culprits. There must be no scapegoats, unlawful measures or dirty tricks in their operations including the coercion or torture of suspects.

Violent attacks by any groups deserve condemnation and due punishment. The cowards who carry out these operations must be made to realise that violence will never be allowed to further any group’s cause, however noble they think it is.