The top suspect in Bangkok’s deadly bomb attack traveled to the scene from a location halfway between the Hua Lamphong Railway Station and Chulalongkorn University, according to the man who says he drove him there.
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“Security agencies have collaborated with intelligence agencies from allied countries, and have come to the same preliminary conclusion that the incident is unlikely to be linked to worldwide terrorism”, junta spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said in a televised update.
The apparent elimination of foreign militant involvement will feed speculation that either Muslim separatists waging a low-intensity insurgency in southern Thailand, or domestic political activists, were involved. Police said they suspect the plot involved at least 10 people but described that figure as theoretical.
Police said that attack was aimed at raising tension when the city was under martial law.
A tuk-tuk driver (not seen in picture) who took a bomb suspect to the Erawan Shrine is called in for questioning at the Metropolitan Police Bureau on Thursday.
All the fatalities have been identified, police medical officials said. “I believe there must have been at least 10 people involved”, Said Mr Somyot.
He said he dropped the suspect at the entrance of the park’s vehicle parking area and the foreigner gave him two 20 baht banknotes. “There must be people who know (the) escape route and take the bomber to do it”.
Earlier in the day, police said the perpetrator may have left the country and that they were “unsure” of his whereabouts.
Police have released a detailed sketch of the main suspect.
Mr Somyot did not say who he believed the plotters were, or elaborate on the investigation, but said no possibilities were being ruled out.
Adding to the sense of insecurity, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha said he would not attend a memorial service for the victims at the shrine on Friday because of growing fears for his life. “This event has never happened in Thailand, it is risky for Asean, ” he said, referring to the Association of South East Asian Nations.
Thailand today said it will hold religious rites from five different faiths, including Hinduism and Sikhism, in memory of the 20 people who were killed in the devastating bombing at the popular Lord Brahma temple here. “It was as though he knew a camera was going to be there”, he said.
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Critics have criticised the draft as undemocratic and say it is intended to help secure the military’s grip on power and limit the influence of elected politicians. The government has promised to restore democracy next year.
