Explosive Rips Through Bangkok

The Bangkok attack comes in a week of heightened political tension, an outpouring of support for the monarchy, and ongoing low level separatist violence in the south of the country, which has claimed thousands of lives since the beginning of the century.





The Queen's 83rd birthday was marked with a "Cycle for Mom" day, very publicly led by Queen Sirikit's son the Crown Prince.
 

He was joined by hundreds of dignitaries, public officials and celebrities on a bike ride around many of the famous landmarks of the city. 

The Prince and participants, plus thousands lining the streets all wore similar light blue T-shirts - the Queen’s colours.

As they threaded through the city, with streets shut to traffic, the long ride was shown live and uninterrupted on all the main TV channels.

One of the most notable riders was the head of Thailand's ruling military Junta, General Prayuth.

He has given the impression, in statements and in his weekly televised addresses to the nation, that he is a reluctant and benevolent caretaker, waiting for the country's political wounds to heal, before returning Thailand to democracy.

But last week, the Junta announced plans for a "National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee", as part of a new constitution.

The commission would be able to overrule any democratic structure. It would have a five-year term, and there would be no rules to prevent Prime Minister Prayuth, or any other of his senior Army colleagues sitting on it. 

Defenders described it as a "safety valve", but opponents said it would be a "politburo". 

Known as "Uncle" to millions of Thais, the sight of General Prayuth, in his sixties, both Army Commander and the country's Prime Minister, squeezed into a tight fitting T-shirt, prompted many comments on social media - mostly light-heartedly pondering whether he could last the journey. 

Most Thais tolerate being denied democracy, because since the Army took over last year they have been able to go about their daily lives without political division spilling onto the streets.

 

It happened near a well-known religious shrine, but also in an area which attracts many foreign tourists. It was close to a main upmarket shopping centre, popular hotels which will have been filled with overseas visitors and the main transit system.