Police deny foreign role in explosions

Police deny foreign role in explosions

Police have denied news reports that foreigners from neighbouring countries were behind two pipe-bomb blasts near Siam Paragon shopping mall on Feb 1.

The claim, which upset Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, is said to have come originally from police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri.

However, Pol Lt Gen Prawut denied the accusation on Tuesday.

"I never said the suspects are foreigners or immigrants," he said, urging the media to be more careful in their reporting.

Pol Lt Gen Prawut insisted he had said the two bomb suspects spoke clear Thai during their taxi ride to Siam Paragon on the day of the blasts, so they could not be foreigners.

Gen Prayut yesterday expressed disappointment with the reports and asked the media to consider the consequences of the claims, saying they could affect foreign relations.

"We've had enough political quarrels. Please do not bring in wars from outside. The effects of the report might be significant. It is not right to report personal opinions. What is the motivation if they are foreigners?" he said.

Security camera footage captured the two suspects carrying bags thought to contain the pipe bombs which were later planted on a walkway between Siam BTS station and the shopping complex and injured two passersby.

Police investigators plan to distribute photos of the two suspects through various channels, Pol Lt Gen Prawut said.

The officers are currently bringing people in for questioning, focusing on those who resemble the suspects.

"We've invited over 100 people for questioning to compare their looks and mannerisms with those seen in the footage, but we still have not found the suspects," Pol Lt Gen Prawut said.

He admitted that finding clues has been difficult so far because the suspects were experienced at evading detection.

It will be impossible to ascertain whether the blasts were politically motivated until the suspects have been arrested, he said.

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