Unidentified suspects fired two 40mm grenades at the head office of
satellite TV services provider ASTV in Thailand early morning of
November 28, in an apparent attempt to destroy the satellite
transponder dishes on the building's roof, media reports said.
According to "The Nation," ASTV security and police officers said
the suspects arrived at around 1:50 am Friday in a motorized boat
along the Chao Phraya River from which they fired their grenade
launchers and assault rifles.
Instead of hitting their target, the grenades were caught in the
protective netting placed earlier by the security officials. The
resulting explosions shattered instead the windows of the
building's fourth floor, injuring an announcer, Natthawut Mitmark,
who suffered cuts in his hands due to the shards of glass.
One of the reporters, Worarat Phusathong, said he was leaving the
office when he heard two explosions. He ran outside and heard
gunfire coming from the rear of the building, which overlooks the
river. He said the gunfire lasted between five to 10 minutes.
When police arrived at the scene, they arrested a security officer
identified as Pornchai Sanguanpoj, 41. He claimed that he had shot
at the suspects with his pistol.
On November 24, suspects who remain unidentified also attacked the
building with grenade launchers. The grenades hit the net and fell
into the river.
ASTV is owned by media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, who also leads the
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). PAD supporters have been
holding protest rallies against the incumbent government for the
past four months. They have also taken control of Government House
and laid siege to the Parliament building recently. PAD supporters
have been occupying Suvarnabhumi International Airport since the
night of November 25, resulting in the cancellation of all flights.
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