11 hurt in Thailand grenade attack-Attack on former thai prime minister

Anti-"Red shirts" locals hold a rally on Silom Road of Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on April 22, 2010.
A grenade attack apparently targeting the Bangkok residence of former Thai prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa, an influential ally of the ruling coalition government, has injured 11 people.

The injured included civilians and three police officers on guard at the residence, medical service officials in Bangkok said.

Mr Banharn said attackers on a motorcycle threw a grenade but missed his residence, which was also targeted in a grenade attack in March.

In the northern city of Chiang Mai, where former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra still retains strong popular support, a grenade attack was also reported at the police headquarters building, but no-one was hurt.

Mr Banharn suggested that the attack against his home was a threat.

Anti-government protesters have demanded the Chart Thai Pattana party, headed by Mr Banharn's brother Chumpol Silpa-archa, leave the government led by prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.




The attack came amid growing political tension in Bangkok, where anti-government protesters, mostly supporters of Mr Thaksin, have laid siege to the capital's main commercial district, calling for Mr Abhisit to dissolve parliament.

A bomb blast hit house of a former Thai prime minister late Sunday night, leaving at least 11 injured, police said Monday.

Unidentified gunmen threw an M-67 grenade in front of Bangkok residence of Banharn Silpa-Archa, who are now Chat Thai Party Chief advisory, injuring three policemen and eight people, one of them in critical condition, Bang Yikhan police said.

The explosion occured around 10:20 p.m. when two men on a motorcycle threw the grenade at the house, the Bangkok Post website quoted Pol Lt Col Wirote Thongpraphai as saying.

The grenade hit the house's wall and fell onto the street and then exploded, three policemen on duty providing security for the Banharn and his family members were slight wounded.

Seven people waiting for buses at the bus stop nearby were injured and a woman on a passing by car was seriously wounded.

All the injured was admitted to hospitals.

Banharn's house was attacked by a grenade on March 29, leaving one injured.