Three hours before fireworks could herald in the year of James Bond 007, six bombs exploded throughout Krueng Thep or Bangkok. Two more blasts followed once authorities cancelled the New Year celebration in the city of fun. The targeting centered on police stations and popular gathering spots. Most farangs blamed the Muslims from the South thanks to their indoctrination from George WMD Bush and Hollywood.

“Probably Al-Quada.” A UK beer drinker crowed at a crowded Pattaya bar, as the TV showed scenes of destruction.

“Not even close.” I contradicted this opinion, because the obvious is usually the scapegoat for the real villain, plus the damage seemed smaller than C-4.

“Thaksin.” This accusation of 2006’s bete noire came from a long-time resident.

“Good guess.” The previous PM is in China plotting his return and had ordered the deaths of thousands during his ‘Drug War’. More blood on his hands. Still too obvious.

“Then who do you think it is?” My friend Nick asked, showing me a text message from his girlfriend saying that two bombs had gone off in Pattaya. She was misinformed, which wasn’t difficult considering the amount of pyrotechnics unleashed above Pattaya.

“I don’t know.”

The choices are a previously unknown group, the CIA to stop anyone investigating their secret prisons here, the mafia i.e. official and unofficial mafias, a former defense minister who has announced his possible leading the deposed Thai Rak Thai party back to #1, and then of course dark forces. Either way New Year’s 2007 was a buzzkill.

No one has claimed responsibility for the 3 deaths and scores of wounded. I doubt anyone will, since to do so would bring down the vengeance of the Thai police against whom the attacks were made and the Thais don’t call the boys in brown tam-luat or make blood for nothing.

Meanwhile I passed the evening in Pattaya safe and sound.

Drinking vodka tonics and seeing in the New Year with my wife and daughter.

Fireworks or poo fi (fire fountains) blossomed over the night sky. My wife ordered me to see the happening first-hand. I drove down to walking Street. The parking attendant was happy with my 100-baht tip. I strolled down the alley, passing drunk farangs and mini-skirted go-go girls released from the bars to service their new suckers. Upon reaching Walking Street I was appalled by the hordes of fat and sweaty revellers. Somehow westerners have become aliens to this planet and I and retreated from their ugliness back home.

My daughter’s smooth breathing was good enough of a New Year for me.

And then a couple of beers from the fridge.

Happy 2007.

UPDATE
No one has claimed responsibility for these explosions. The 19 suspects rounded up by the police have been released without charge. The accusations continue to focus on the ex-PM, although some pundits feel that these bombs were aimed at questing Thaksin’s National police chief.

Those that say don’t know.

Those that know don’t say.