The Criminal Court has approved warrants for the arrest of two men suspected of planting pipe bombs that went off on the walkway between the BTS Siam station and Siam Paragon shopping centre at 8.20pm on Feb 1.
Clear and present danger: Transparent rubbish bags have been put in place at a shopping mall in Siam Square, the idea being that people might spot suspicious items. The twin bomb blasts near Siam Paragon on Sunday have caused security forces to examine better protection procedures. (Photo by Thanarak Khunton)
Deputy police chief Chakthip Chaichinda said on Wednesday the court had approved the no-name arrest warrants for two men based on closed-circuit footage.
The men, aged about 30, were captured by CCTV loitering near Siam Paragon before the blasts.
According to police investigation, the two arrived at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in a taxi.
Authorities believed the two were experienced bomb makers and there might be more accomplices.
Police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri also said higher-quality photos could be released later on Wednesday based on the footage of other cameras in the area.
"We have found other cameras that captured their faces and will soon release the pictures," he told FM106 radio station.
"Police also have witnesses at the crime scene but I can't give you details on this now," the spokesman added.
As police are trying to better identify the two men, they are concerned the two suspects might slip out of the country, which would spoil attempts to arrest them.
"We have a better chance of identifying them. But it will be difficult (to arrest them) if they flee the country,'' the spokesman added.
The bombs in front of the shopping centre on Sunday slightly injured one man and one woman.
The explosive device used on Sunday was of the same type as used in two previous bombings in Min Buri on March 29, 2014 and the Saman Metta Mansion in Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi province, on Oct 5, 2010.
But Pol Lt Gen Prawut said police did not jump to conclusions that the perpetrators were the same group.
Police briefed the media on Wednesday, showing CCTV screen captures of the suspects, and promising better photos for the public later. (Photo by Pattarachai Prechapanich)