Bangkok bomb scares

The annals of contemporary history reveal that almost all politically motivated bombing incidents have been domestic affairs rather than foreign ones.

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Yet it's a curious coincidence that bomb scares are appearing at any given time when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her red-shirt allies seem to be diverging on the quantity of issues, such as the road map for any charter rewrite, amending the Defence Administration Act and the cosy friendship using the military that is leaving the reds out in the cold.

When the government is seriously interested in solving these bomb scares, then it should pursue all leads, including taking a closer look at disgruntled red-shirt allies.

Although government leaders and their allies happen to be singing a chorus of solidarity, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung had made remarks suggestive of a far more extraordinary intrigue than what you would think.

Last week, police received a tip-off before detecting and defusing a home-made bomb planted on Rajdamnoen Avenue. This coincided with holiday festivities.

Chalerm, police, security officials and political commentators all agreed that this incident was politically motivated. While the police and security officials were wary of speculating which political group may be responsible, Chalerm was quick responsible certain rogue soldiers for making moves to undermine the government and create a coup.

However, the burning question here is, why did Chalerm try to link the Rajdamnoen scare to his government's opponents when the bomb found was assembled in a manner much like those linked to red-shirt supporters and located regarding the the rallies last year?

Bombs linked to disgruntled officers in the wake from the 2006 coup were different from the one found a week ago and also the six uncovered early yesterday.

Furthermore, Chalerm continues to be circulating the initials of certain top brass who're allegedly behind these bomb scares, however these names are noticed to be closer to the reds instead of towards the yellow shirts.

Yesterday at around 3am police arrested Sakon Nakhon native Jeerawat Janpeng, 55, on suspicion of planting bombs. After Jeerawat made his statement, police uncovered six home-made explosives in three spots in the eastern outskirts of Bangkok.

The bomb squad staged an elaborate and painstakingly slow operation for reporters to witness how the bombs were discarded. Many check this out bomb scare as a proceed to divert public attention from hot issues like the questionable repeal of the passport ban for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chalerm chaired the morning's press conference to showcase Jeerawat's arrest, but he didn't appear to be his usual boastful self and abruptly terminated the meeting in under Twenty minutes.

Jeerawat kept smiling while Chalerm took all the questions on his behalf. The deputy PM's replies were short, terse and vague on Jeerawat's background and his role in the bomb scares.

National police chief General Priewpan Damapong said Jeerawat had confessed to being active in the Rajdamnoen bomb scare before tipping law enforcement off about the six bombs yesterday morning. However, Chalerm played down this point, saying Jeerawat had decided only to testify in court.

Both Chalerm and also the police chief chose in addition the bombs found were much like those linked to last year's political disturbances. The deputy PM also chose to not refer to his previous claims the culprits included rogue soldiers bent on undermining this government.

Despite the fact that all key leaders in the red-shirt movement are advocates of the peaceful struggle, last year's bombing incidents happened in connection with their rallies. A strong bomb exploded by accident in Metta Mansion in Nonthaburi, leading to the invention of the link between the explosives and certain red-shirt supporters.

It sounds strange and illogical that particular red shirts or rogue elements may wish to push the very government they tried so hard to install. Yet past politically motivated bomb scares have turned out to be come from friends rather than foes.

Once the government found power in August, Pheu Thai leaders and their red-shirt allies spoke in unison about their distrust of the military.

This month Yingluck and her deputy Chalerm have made an about-turn and are starting to warm up up brass. Red-shirt leaders seem to be left isolated within the main coalition party in their push to revise the military appointment process.

Yingluck has openly supported Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, while the red leaders are demanding his removal.

More important, the government has switched tracks, giving charter rewrite a lesser priority even though the reds wish to move at full speed to repeal the 2007 Constitution.

Despite Pheu Thai finding yourself in power, the red shirts continue to be finding themselves embroiled in legal wrangling with no end or amnesty around the corner.

Many reds, including Kwanchai Praipana, happen to be heard wondering aloud why the controlling majority in Parliament is failing them.

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All past political bomb incidents have faded away without being solved. At concern is whether the recent bomb scares would intensify before dissipating. The solution may hinge how well and just how quickly the power brokers can work behind the curtain to quell discontent within the rank and file.