Truth the latest victim in Bangkok blast
Zachary Abuza
Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College where he focuses on Southeast Asian politics and security issues.
22 October 2015
Photo: Royal Thai Police
solvedprosecute the only two suspects it had in custody.
The police then gave themselves some $84,000 and was trusted to do their bidding. He did not disappoint. Although the fact that the bombing took place only blocks away from the Royal Thai Police headquarters, the initial investigation and forensic evidence collection was remarkably shoddy.
The bombing confounded security analysts as it fit the modus operendi of no group. Groups that had the capabilities had no motive, and vice versa. The lack of any claim of responsibility added to the confusion.
The military junta immediately denied that it was the work of international terroristsfirst arrestfinancial sidethree suspects, including two Malaysians and a Pakistani. Senior Thai police officials stated that there was actually no need to go and interview them, let alone begin extradition proceedings.
Days later, it leaked out, the deputy police chief had traveled to Malaysia without the approval of his superiors, to at the very least follow up on the Malaysian investigation.
By early-September the role of Uighurs and radical Turkish nationalists was beyond doubt. But it was not until 15 September that the government officially made the connectionwould not be charged with terrorism, but instead with murder. Indictments are forthcoming.
Why is the junta so fixated on this?pervasive trafficking109 UighursUnited Stateslese majestepolitically motivated
Zachary Abuza
Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College where he focuses on Southeast Asian politics and security issues.
22 October 2015
Photo: Royal Thai Police
solvedprosecute the only two suspects it had in custody.
The police then gave themselves some $84,000 and was trusted to do their bidding. He did not disappoint. Although the fact that the bombing took place only blocks away from the Royal Thai Police headquarters, the initial investigation and forensic evidence collection was remarkably shoddy.
The bombing confounded security analysts as it fit the modus operendi of no group. Groups that had the capabilities had no motive, and vice versa. The lack of any claim of responsibility added to the confusion.
The military junta immediately denied that it was the work of international terroristsfirst arrestfinancial sidethree suspects, including two Malaysians and a Pakistani. Senior Thai police officials stated that there was actually no need to go and interview them, let alone begin extradition proceedings.
Days later, it leaked out, the deputy police chief had traveled to Malaysia without the approval of his superiors, to at the very least follow up on the Malaysian investigation.
By early-September the role of Uighurs and radical Turkish nationalists was beyond doubt. But it was not until 15 September that the government officially made the connectionwould not be charged with terrorism, but instead with murder. Indictments are forthcoming.
Why is the junta so fixated on this?pervasive trafficking109 UighursUnited Stateslese majestepolitically motivated
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