Siam Paragon bombs: Arrest warrants issued (Updated)
Thai police have obtains arrest warrants for the two men seen in security footage just before the two blasts near Siam Paragon on Sunday. Police say others were likely involved in operation as well.
Thai police have obtains arrest warrants for the two men seen in security footage just before the two blasts near Siam Paragon on Sunday. Police say others were likely involved in operation as well.
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Noon update
Images of the two suspects are shown at a police press conference run by police spokesman Prawuth Thawornsiri this morning. THANARAK KHUNTON
As expected, police have obtained arrest warrants for the two men seen in security footage just before the two bomb blasts on a walkway connecting Siam Paragon and the BTS Siam station. No names were released, however.
They were said to have arrived by taxi at Siam Paragon and were quite calm and composed.
Pol Gen Chakthip Chaichinda, deputy national police chief, said the bomb-maker was likely a professional and there were likely many others in support of the operation.
A security officer at the BTS Siam station with a hand-held metal detector checks a Skytrain passenger's bag. Security has been temporarily stepped up following Sunday's twin explosions of time bombs, particularly around Siam station and its walkway leading to Siam Paragon. PATIPAT JANTHONG
Police probe Min Buri blast links
Explosive debris similar to that at Siam Paragon
Post Reporters
Police said Tuesday investigators believe the two explosions near Siam Paragon on Sunday are linked to a deadly blast which killed two men in Min Buri during the Bangkok Shutdown protests, almost a year ago.
Metropolitan Police chief Sriwara Rangsiphramanakul said that investigators had examined bomb fragments collected from the blast site and found that 90% of them were similar to those found at the Min Buri blast scene.
Speaking after a meeting with investigators handling the bomb incident, Pol Lt Gen Sriwara said photos of two male suspects captured on security camera footage at Siam had been compared to those suspected of involvement in a spate of bombings during anti-government protests last year.
Two men, circled in red, each wearing a cap to disguise their identity and carrying orange plastic bags each believed to contain a bomb, are caught on a security camera near Sunday's explosion site at Siam Paragon, shortly before the bombs went off.
Police have made considerable progress in their probe, Pol Lt Gen Sriwara said.
"Warrants for the arrest of the two suspects are expected to be issued by noon today," he said.
On March 29 last year, two men were killed when a home-made bomb hidden in a motorcycle they were riding accidentally exploded in a car park in Min Buri.
Police later searched their house nearby and found bomb-making equipment.
The deceased were probably members of a group using the house to assemble explosives, said police.
According to police, the two men were members of a group of 10 who rented a house for assembling home-made bombs destined for use in attacks in public areas.
The attacks occurred at the height of anti-government demonstrations led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).
Sunday's explosions occurred on a walkway between Siam BTS station and Siam Paragon shopping centre at 8.20pm, sparking panic among shoppers and tourists.
Two people were slightly injured.
Police spokesman Prawuth Thawornsiri said police were seeking arrest warrants for two men captured on CCTV loitering near Siam Paragon shortly before the blasts.
The footage shows two Asian men of moderate height, one wearing a white cap, and the other wearing a black cap, with suspicious-looking bags, Pol Lt Gen Prawuth said.
If you visit a large shopping mall today, you may find heightened security. PATIPAT JANTHONG
Security has been stepped up at places where crowds gather, including BTS stations, bus terminals, department stores, cinemas and night markets.
Also on Tuesday, army chief Udomdej Sitabutr said his intelligence units are sharing information with police handling the case.
Police are leading the probe, with the military working as their assistants, he added.
You can read our previous coverage here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/464093/paragon-area-hit-by-homemade-bombs
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