M79 grenade used in attack on PAD rally

The explosion that wounded 12 people at the People's Alliance for Democracy rally on Sunday night was caused by a grenade but it is unclear whether the intention was to kill, police say.

The blast occurred at around 9.50pm - about 20 minutes after key PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul addressed a major rally at Sanam Luang on Sunday evening.

The explosion was originally believed to have been caused by a giant firecracker thrown into the crowd by a man on a motorcycle. Twelve people, including a boy, were injured.

A man was later arrested as a suspect in the attack. However, he was released after police questioning showed he was not involved.

Forensic experts later confirmed the explosion was caused by an M79 grenade fired from a launcher, the kind which had previously been fired at PAD demonstrators at Government House and at Don Mueang airport.

The PAD delivered a scathing attack on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the rally which drew about 15,000 people.

Metropolitan police chief Worapong Chiewpreecha said forensic experts had found the remains of an M79 grenade at the scene of the attack.

Pol Lt Gen Worapong said the grenade was believed to have been launched from Khlong Lot - a canal in the area.

The source of the grenade had yet to be identified, he said, but added the device could be easily acquired.

The grenade attack was probably politically motivated. "Still, it is unclear whether it was targeting people's lives because the blast scene was quite far away at 350 metres," he said.

However, a military source believed the attack was an attempt on Mr Sondhi's life.

Mr Sondhi survived because the grenade missed the target as it dropped behind the rally stage where he was addressing the crowd, said the source.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and army chief Anupong Paojinda denied suggestions that the military were linked to the grenade attack.

Acting police chief Pateep Tanprasert said police were hunting suspects. Video footage from security cameras in the area was being checked.

Gen Panlop Pinmanee, a Puea Thai Party member and former deputy chief of the Internal Security Operations Command, denied any involvement with the blast.

"I had nothing to do with it. I was home by 8pm on Sunday and prepared to go to bed. I don't know anything about it," he said.

Army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng, said the bomb attack was carried out by an "unidentified" armed group.

Maj Gen Khattiya said the attack was only intended as a deterrent, not as an attempt to cause violence.

He said he had received information that the unidentified group wanted to deter the PAD from holding gatherings at Sanam Luang.

Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh rejected Mr Sondhi's allegations that he was behind the grenade attack.

"Why always consign me to the back stage? Why not allow me to be at the forefront?" Gen Chavalit joked and said he had no plans to sue Mr Sondhi for defamation.