SEAPA Alert: Satellite TV provider's Bangkok head office attacked with grenades, guns

SEAPA Alert: Satellite TV provider's Bangkok head office attacked with grenades, guns
Unidentified suspects fired two 40mm grenades at the head office of satellite TV services provider ASTV in Thailand early morning of November 28, in an apparent attempt to destroy the satellite transponder dishes on the building's roof ...

Unidentified suspects fired two 40mm grenades at the head office of satellite TV services provider ASTV in Thailand early morning of November 28, in an apparent attempt to destroy the satellite transponder dishes on the building's roof, media reports said.

According to "The Nation," ASTV security and police officers said the suspects arrived at around 1:50 am Friday in a motorized boat along the Chao Phraya River from which they fired their grenade launchers and assault rifles.

Instead of hitting their target, the grenades were caught in the protective netting placed earlier by the security officials. The resulting explosions shattered instead the windows of the building's fourth floor, injuring an announcer, Natthawut Mitmark, who suffered cuts in his hands due to the shards of glass.

One of the reporters, Worarat Phusathong, said he was leaving the office when he heard two explosions. He ran outside and heard gunfire coming from the rear of the building, which overlooks the river. He said the gunfire lasted between five to 10 minutes.

When police arrived at the scene, they arrested a security officer identified as Pornchai Sanguanpoj, 41. He claimed that he had shot at the suspects with his pistol.

On November 24, suspects who remain unidentified also attacked the building with grenade launchers. The grenades hit the net and fell into the river.

ASTV is owned by media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, who also leads the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). PAD supporters have been holding protest rallies against the incumbent government for the past four months. They have also taken control of Government House and laid siege to the Parliament building recently. PAD supporters have been occupying Suvarnabhumi International Airport since the night of November 25, resulting in the cancellation of all flights.