Topic: Terrorism hits close to home

[wangsuda]

The latest from the Bangkok Post (RIP Jesse Lee Daniel):

UPDATE Canadian victim identified

UPDATE
A western tourist was among the four people confirmed dead in the Saturday night bombings that ripped through a neighbourhood in Hat Yai city of Songkhla, the biggest city in the South as extremists once again expanded their attacks outside the three violence wracked provinces of the region.

Police identified the dead Canadian as Jesse Lee Daniel, a 34-year-old teacher at Phol Vidhya School in Hat Yai.

Daniel was the first Western fatality in the nearly three years of southern insurgency.

Earlier reports that a Chinese citizen was killed were erroneous. An Australian tourist was wounded in the bomb blasts, but his life was not threatened.

"We've confirmed that three people died in the blasts, including a Canadian," said Songkhla Province Governor Somporn Thaibanyong.

Police Maj Gen Paitoom Pattanasophon said five bombs exploded simultaneously in tourist spots in Hat Yai's business district, including two department stores and a hotel.

There were four dead, including three Thais, in the bombing wave, with several seriously wounded in the hospitals. Police put the total number of wounded at 59.

http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=112967

In addition to visa problems, now we face the very real threat of being blown up. Thailand, I believe, has now become to difficult and dangerous a place to teach. For those who decide to stay and brave this out: good luck to you.

[hero]

Several posts moved because they were essentially pretty daft - they're in Sour Gripes if anyone's interested!