The Iranian bomb suspect arrested in Malaysia will be extradited to Thailand when formalities are completed, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on Thursday.
Masoud Sedaghat Zadeh, a suspect in Tuesday's three bomb explosions in the Sukhumvit soi 71 area of Bangkok, was arrested on Wednesday by Malaysian authorities in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysian police chief Ismail Omar said the Iranian was arrested under provisions of the Immigration Act of Malaysia following information provided by Thai authorities. He had fled Thailand and was attempting to catch a plane to Iran.
Mr Surapong said Thai police were already working with Malaysian authorities for the extradition of the suspect.
The South Bangkok Criminal Court yesterday approved warrants for the arrest of four Iranians in connection with the incident.
One, Saeid Moradi, 28, was severely injured, losing both legs, and is now being treated at Chulalongkorn Hospital.
Mohummad Hazaei, 42, was detained at Suvarnabhumi airport on Tuesday night while attempting to board a plane to Malaysia.
The fourth suspect, Rohani Leila, is believed to have arranged the rental of the house in Soi Pridi Banomyong 31 off Soi Sukhumvit 71, where the first explosion occurred. She was reported to have already returned to Tehran.
Asked whether Thailand would be more strict in issuing a visas to foreigners, Mr Surapong said passport holders of many countries can get a visa on arrival in Thailand, but Iranians have to apply for a visa from the Thai embassy in Tehran.
Mr Surapong said he learned that the Iranian suspects applied for their visas through a tour company. He had ordered officials to compile a list of tour companies and to be stricter in screening visa applicants.
He also said four more countries - Italy, Norway, Israel and Taiwan - had issued a travel warning to their citizens to be careful in visiting public places in Thailand, in addition to 10 countries which had done so earlier.
Asked whether the Sukhumvit 71 incident was linked to the animosity between Israel and Iran, Mr Surapong said Thailand would not interfere in the matter but would continue to maintain good relations with both countries.