Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANGKOK5228
2006-08-25 11:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
NO CLARITY ON ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
how-toVZCZCXRO1018 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHBK #5228 2371131 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 251131Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1194 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHFJSCC/COMMARFORPAC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005228
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2016
TAGS: ASEC PINS PGOV TH
SUBJECT: NO CLARITY ON ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
REF: BANGKOK 5204
Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton, reason 1.4 (b) (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005228
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2016
TAGS: ASEC PINS PGOV TH
SUBJECT: NO CLARITY ON ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
REF: BANGKOK 5204
Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton, reason 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) Authorities have released no further useful
information yet today about the bomb discovered August 24 by
the Prime Minister's residence Government. Government and
security officials have proclaimed that the bomb was an
assassination attempt. The Defense Minister told the press
it was an attempt to bring down the government. Thaksin was
quoted saying that at least four military officers were
involved in the assassination plot. Much of the broadcast
and print media is expressing varying degrees of skepticism
about whether this is a real assassination attempt or a
set-up by the PM or his supporters. However, the evening and
morning news were filled with pictures and exact descriptions
of the bomb, along with video of the bomb team disarming it
and endless coverage of the arrest. All of this is likely to
ratchet up already high tension levels. Informal checks with
military contacts show that they are highly skeptical about
the specific charges against the driver arrested yesterday,
who appears to have no reason at all to be involved in a plot
of this kind; they don't appear to buy the whole
assassination scenario either. Police have been unusually
reluctant to respond to any inquiries from us for further
information about the investigation. Academics and others
have warned the government against using the incident as a
pretext to declare a state of emergency; Thaksin reportedly
said that there was no need for such a step.
2. (C) COMMENT: It is likely to take some time for the full
story to emerge, further complicating the efforts to get to a
solution to the political crisis. Worsening relations
between the PM and the military as a result of the
accusations of their complicity are of particular concern.
The widespread skepticism about the veracity of the
government's claims provides more evidence, if we needed it,
of the complete breakdown of trust between the Bangkok
educated class and the PM.
BOYCE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2016
TAGS: ASEC PINS PGOV TH
SUBJECT: NO CLARITY ON ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
REF: BANGKOK 5204
Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton, reason 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) Authorities have released no further useful
information yet today about the bomb discovered August 24 by
the Prime Minister's residence Government. Government and
security officials have proclaimed that the bomb was an
assassination attempt. The Defense Minister told the press
it was an attempt to bring down the government. Thaksin was
quoted saying that at least four military officers were
involved in the assassination plot. Much of the broadcast
and print media is expressing varying degrees of skepticism
about whether this is a real assassination attempt or a
set-up by the PM or his supporters. However, the evening and
morning news were filled with pictures and exact descriptions
of the bomb, along with video of the bomb team disarming it
and endless coverage of the arrest. All of this is likely to
ratchet up already high tension levels. Informal checks with
military contacts show that they are highly skeptical about
the specific charges against the driver arrested yesterday,
who appears to have no reason at all to be involved in a plot
of this kind; they don't appear to buy the whole
assassination scenario either. Police have been unusually
reluctant to respond to any inquiries from us for further
information about the investigation. Academics and others
have warned the government against using the incident as a
pretext to declare a state of emergency; Thaksin reportedly
said that there was no need for such a step.
2. (C) COMMENT: It is likely to take some time for the full
story to emerge, further complicating the efforts to get to a
solution to the political crisis. Worsening relations
between the PM and the military as a result of the
accusations of their complicity are of particular concern.
The widespread skepticism about the veracity of the
government's claims provides more evidence, if we needed it,
of the complete breakdown of trust between the Bangkok
educated class and the PM.
BOYCE