Atrocity must be solved

Atrocity must be solved

The bomb attack at Ratchaprasong intersection is an act no civilised person or group can defend. By killing 20 people and sending far more than 100 to the hospital with wounds, someone has declared war on decency, as well as the entire country. Thailand must unite in the face of such an attack. At this time, we all are Thais, determined to defeat this visceral threat to the nation.

This is not the first such butchery, just the worst in recent times. Indeed, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's coup came primarily because of violence in the streets of Bangkok. Attacks and bombings have continued in the South. Since the military government took office last year, there have been explosions in Bangkok. Clearly, however, nothing in recent history compares with Monday's massacre at the Erawan shrine.

There is still much to learn about the bomb and, one hopes, the person or people responsible. For now, some things are clear -- shockingly so. First and most reprehensibly, the bomb was placed, set and timed to kill. There was no warning given. The attack was timed for the busiest period in that area. At just before 7pm, streets and pavements in the area are jammed and the traffic is heaviest at the revered Erawan shrine.

The only target of that bomb was people. There was no accompanying message to seek a political justification. There was no physical target for the explosion such as a building or landmark. The Erawan Shrine was nearby but not obviously targeted.

Authorities are always loathe to label such butchery as terrorism before further evidence emerges. But no matter what kind of warped and brutal thinking was behind the planting of the Monday evening bomb, the overarching motive was to kill, injure and spill the blood of as many people as possible.

Unfortunately, with the bombing came a virtual blizzard of unnecessary public speculation. Much of it was simple, harmful rumour-mongering. In a way, it was understandable. There was no information available in the hours after the blast about the most crucial question: Who did this to our people, our guests and our country? Social media gossip was uninformed but some was downright divisive, widening the political divide without a shred of evidence or factual backing. Even the deputy government spokesman joined in to claim it was a political act. Published photos of a suspect in a yellow T-shirt merely inflamed the rumours.

This is wrong. At the exact time the country should unite in an attempt to solve this most heinous crime and put the blame directly upon the bombers, internet rumour-mongers are making divisions worse.

The Ratchaprasong attack is the worst since the New Year's Eve bombings at the end of 2006. Those seemed clearly the work of terrorists, though the nine bombs were set primarily to cause panic rather than casualties.

Monday's brutal attack is clearly the worst in recent Thai history and bears no similarity to previous terrorism or violence. It is only apparent that the bomber or group is the enemy of the people and the more united the people, the better the chances are for justice. Authorities must dig deeply and fast to discover who is behind the bomb blast. 

The attack at Ratchaprasong must never be forgotten. Authorities have a duty to find those involved, at every level, and without scapegoating. This is what must be done now to prevent further attacks occurring. It is the bare necessity and the first step towards healing the deep wounds of Monday night.

Editorial

Bangkok Post editorial column

These editorials represent Bangkok Post thoughts about current issues and situations.

Email : anchaleek@bangkokpost.co.th

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