Thai jet blaze may have been sabotage

Workers spray the destroyed plane

By John Raedler
CNN Bangkok Bureau Chief

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Authorities in Thailand are investigating possible sabotage in Saturday's fire aboard a plane on which the Thai Prime Minister was to travel.

One flight attendant was killed in the blaze that gutted the Thai Airways Boeing 737-400 just 35 minutes before its scheduled take-off.

Seven other people -- cabin crew and ground staff -- were injured.

The President of Thai Airways, Bhisit Kuslasayanon, confirmed to CNN Saturday night that "many people" heard explosive sounds before the aircraft caught fire at gate 62 of Bangkok Airport's domestic terminal.

On Sunday morning a team of investigators spent several hours combing through the burnt out shell of the plane.

Later, Deputy Police Commissioner Chongrak Suthanon told reporters at the airport: "We have gathered evidence and are taking it to the lab for tests."

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was being driven to the airport when the fire erupted.

He was due to board the plane to fly to his home city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.

He was detoured to a Royal Thai Air Force base at the airport and flew to Chiang Mai on an air force plane, landing amid heavy security.

Both of Bangkok's English language newspapers lead their Sunday editions with the suspicion of sabotage.

The Nation: "Sabotage suspected in Thai aircraft blast."

The Bangkok Post: "Thaksin's plane explodes -- PM's narrow escape, bomb suspected."

The Post quotes an unnamed "high ranking aviation source" as saying the blaze "was too hot and fierce to be a normal onboard fire."

The plane's jet engines were not on when the fire started and fueling had been completed.

The craft's fuel tanks, in its wings, survived the blaze in tact.

Both newspapers claim the fire appeared to start near the front seats, where VIPs would normally sit.

The gutted remains of the plane

The two-man cockpit crew and the 149 passengers had not yet boarded the aircraft when the fire broke out.

Five cabin crew were the only ones on board at the time.

The Prime Minister is expected to fly back to Bangkok later Sunday on an air force plane.

Mr. Thaksin, a wealthy businessman turned politician, was elected Prime Minister by a record majority following a general election in Thailand in early January.

Thai court votes to put Thaksin on trial
January 18, 2001
Thaksin victory spurs hopes for recovery
January 01, 2001
Passenger plane crashes in flames near Indian airport
July 17, 2000

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