Thai Caretaker PM Survives Assassination Attempt
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Bangkok, Thailand (AHN) - Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he survived an assassination attempt on his life, after police stopped a car carrying explosives near his residence early morning Thursday. The explosives were eventually defused by bomb experts and two people were arrested regarding the incident. He confirmed reports that two soldiers were stopped by the authorities guarding his residence in southern Bangkok, after suspiciously driving around the vicinity. It was reported the car, a silver-grey Daewoo, was carrying some 67.35 kilos of TNT explosives and some fertilizers, which are key ingredients in the manufacture of bombs. Thaksin said on Thai television, "It's my lucky day. If I hadn't left an hour earlier than usual, I might not be here now." He adds that his security details have been varying his daily schedule after receiving intelligence reports there is serious threats against his life. Fortunately, he was not around the house when the suspects were arrested. He told the media there had been several attempts on his life in recent months including "incidents" at military airports and the recent car crash involving one of his convoys. Thailand's police chief identified the suspects as belonging the army's Internal Security Operations Command. One of the suspects holds the rank of a lieutenant, the police said, |
