Bangkok bomb ‘links with Thai network’

epa04888195 Thais offer candles and flowers in central Bangkok, Thailand, 18 August 2015, for the victims of bombing next to the scene of the bomb blast on 17 August outside Erawan Shrine. Over 1,100 extra security personnel were deployed across Bangkok Tuesday, the day after a bombing at a tourist site in the Thai capital killed at least 20 people. Thailand's military government said it had deployed 1,160 extra security personnel at 88 locations around Bangkok after what Prime Minister Chan-ocha called the 'worst ever' attack in the country's history. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
By Hannah Edensor


The deadly Bangkok bomb took over one month to plan and was executed by more than 10 people, the kingdom’s police chief says.

“This blast was made by teams,” national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung told reporters, adding it would have taken about one month to plan.

“I believe this network links with people inside Thailand … more than 10 people were involved.”

Earlier, the country’s junta said the Bangkok bomb that killed 20 was not likely the work of a global terror group although a foreigner has been identified as the chief suspect.

“It’s unlikely that it’s the work of an international terrorist group,” Colonel Winthai Suvaree, a junta spokesman, said in a televised update, adding “Chinese people were not the direct target”.

Chinese nationals were among the dead after Monday’s blast at Erawan shrine in downtown Bangkok, which has left residents fearful of another attack and dealt a blow to the nation’s vital tourism sector.

On Thursday Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said he would not attend a memorial service for the victims at the shrine on Friday because of growing fears for his life.

“I will not go there on the advice of my security. I am not afraid of dying but I am afraid others may die with me as my risk is increasing day by day,” he said during an official function at Bangkok.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack, which has no precedent in Bangkok.

But authorities issued an arrest warrant Wednesday evening for an unnamed foreigner based on CCTV footage.

The bombing has claimed the lives of at least 13 foreigners – from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. One of the Hong Kongers was also a British national.

On Thursday Winthai said 67 patients wounded by the blast remained in hospital while a further 56 had now been discharged.

Authorities are still verifying the identity of two of the deceased.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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