Alex
12-31-2006, 2:41pm
Thai authorities cancel major New Year's celebrations in two cities
• At least 2 killed, 12 wounded in several explosions in Bangkok
• No one has claimed responsibility for at least seven blast
BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thai authorities have canceled all major New Year's celebrations in Bangkok after at least seven explosions ripped through several areas of the capital, killing two people, police and hospital officials say.
At least 12 other people were wounded in Sunday's attacks, which appeared to have been coordinated, and took place hours before New Year's Eve celebrations at midnight (noon ET).
Major events in Thailand's second largest city, Chiang Mai, have also been canceled.
Chief government spokesman Yongyud Maiyalab warned people to be cautious but not to panic.
One of the blasts occurred at a mall near the Victory Monument in the center of the Thai capital, Reuters reported.
"There was a big bang and people started screaming and running. I saw people with blood all over their legs and faces," witness Chalermsak Sanbee, 17, told Reuters.
National police chief Gen. Ajirawit Suphanaphesat said on the iTV television network that authorities were inspecting several more locations where there were suspicious packages, The Associated press reported.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
"The bombings exploded almost simultaneously. It must have been planned," Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters while visiting some of the wounded at a hospital.
Bombings occur on a regular basis in Thailand's three southernmost provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani, where an Islamic insurgency that flared in January 2004 has killed more than 1,900 people.
But Ajirawit said the insurgents were probably not behind Sunday's attacks, AP reported.
Thailand canceled its 2005 New Year's celebrations, along with the rest of Southeast Asia and many other countries, to honor the victims of the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami which killed more than 200,000 people -- including nearly 6,000 people in Thailand.
• At least 2 killed, 12 wounded in several explosions in Bangkok
• No one has claimed responsibility for at least seven blast
BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thai authorities have canceled all major New Year's celebrations in Bangkok after at least seven explosions ripped through several areas of the capital, killing two people, police and hospital officials say.
At least 12 other people were wounded in Sunday's attacks, which appeared to have been coordinated, and took place hours before New Year's Eve celebrations at midnight (noon ET).
Major events in Thailand's second largest city, Chiang Mai, have also been canceled.
Chief government spokesman Yongyud Maiyalab warned people to be cautious but not to panic.
One of the blasts occurred at a mall near the Victory Monument in the center of the Thai capital, Reuters reported.
"There was a big bang and people started screaming and running. I saw people with blood all over their legs and faces," witness Chalermsak Sanbee, 17, told Reuters.
National police chief Gen. Ajirawit Suphanaphesat said on the iTV television network that authorities were inspecting several more locations where there were suspicious packages, The Associated press reported.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
"The bombings exploded almost simultaneously. It must have been planned," Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters while visiting some of the wounded at a hospital.
Bombings occur on a regular basis in Thailand's three southernmost provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani, where an Islamic insurgency that flared in January 2004 has killed more than 1,900 people.
But Ajirawit said the insurgents were probably not behind Sunday's attacks, AP reported.
Thailand canceled its 2005 New Year's celebrations, along with the rest of Southeast Asia and many other countries, to honor the victims of the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami which killed more than 200,000 people -- including nearly 6,000 people in Thailand.