Bomb explodes near home of Thai king's chief adviser, one injured

(9 Mar 2006) SHOTLIST

1. Police search scene outside the house of Prem Tinsulanonda after the explosion
2. Broken window
3. Scene from other side of broken window
4. Close-up of police officer putting evidence in bag
5. Police officer searching ground
6. Wide of police at scene
7. Police officer picking up markers from the ground
8. Police officer doing paperwork at scene
9. Onlookers
10. Defence Minister Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya at the scene with the police
11. Various exteriors of Prem's house
12. Various of Vashira Hospital, where an injured British tourist is being treated
13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vallop Suwandee, doctor at Vashira Hospital
"The patient remains conscious and he can communicate really well with the doctor. He can tell his name, where he comes from, the residence."
14. Police at bomb scene

STORYLINE

A British tourist was injured when a small bomb exploded on Thursday afternoon at a police guard post outside the Bangkok home of former Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda, now chief adviser to the Thai king, police said.

No one took immediate responsibility for the blast and police have not named any suspects.

The blast was likely to intensify political tensions in Thailand, already high because of a growing popular campaign to force Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to resign for alleged corruption and abuse of power.

The homemade bomb, triggered by remote control, injured a 28-year-old British man, police said.

The man was taken to nearby Vashira hospital where doctors said his injuries were not thought to be severe.

The blast also caused minor damage to a police box and nearby vehicle.

Prem was at home at the time of the attack.

The former army chief and prime minister is now chairman of the Privy Council, the inner circle of advisers to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The king rarely speaks in public so Prem's statements are usually taken as an accurate reflection of his views.

Prem was a non-elected prime minister who held office from 1980 to 1988.

During that time there was at least one alleged assassination attempt on his life and two unsuccessful coup attempts to overthrow him, in 1981 and 1985.

Although Prem's government was generally popular, his sometimes high-handed manner of dealing with opponents won him the enmity of some politicians and military officials.

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