(SEAPA/IFEX) – On 23 May 2006, an explosive device made of firecracker materials was detonated in front of the Thai Press Association on Rachasima Rd. in Bangkok, causing damages to the association’s marble sign. Police said a security guard on duty at the site heard a loud explosion in front the compound at around 3 […]
(SEAPA/IFEX) – On 23 May 2006, an explosive device made of firecracker materials was detonated in front of the Thai Press Association on Rachasima Rd. in Bangkok, causing damages to the association’s marble sign.
Police said a security guard on duty at the site heard a loud explosion in front the compound at around 3 a.m. (local time). According to the police, the guard went out to check but did not notice the damages. It was two traffic policemen at a police box opposite the association who spotted a 6-inch-wide hole in the sign and broken pieces of the flower pots used to decorate the sign scattered nearby, at around 6 a.m., and alerted the association.
The incident prompted police to increase security measures at the association’s compound and also at the Thai Journalists Association, which is the most active press organisation and a likely target, and is located nearby on Sam Sen Rd. The investigation was quickly pursued to find motives for the attempted bombing, and to arrest the attackers.
The targeted Thai Press Association is the oldest media professionals’ group but is not active.
Police have yet to establish motives of this “unprecedented” incident but did not rule out that this may be linked to internal strife or public anger over media professionals’ recent pointed news coverage of local politics.
In recent months, individual media workers and newspaper outlets that are critical of the government have become targets of bomb attacks, mob violence and hate messages via SMS. SEAPA has raised concerns that the use of “threats by proxies” has escalated and had a chilling effect on media independence, reducing the media’s ability to keep the public informed, especially on issues important to the strengthening of democratic practices.
