The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will launch another major rally soon to force the resignation of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in light of the latest explosions at rally sites, PDRC co-leader Somsak Kosaisuk says.
Police examine the scene of a bomb explosion near the People’s Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism protest site at Phanfa Leelas intersection on Ratchadamonoen Klang Avenue. The blast injured six people, two seriously. Thiti Wannamontha
A bomb blast late yesterday morning on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, which wounded six city street cleaners, underscored protest leaders' worries over escalating attempts to intimidate protesters, Mr Somsak said.
The bomb exploded in an area that had only recently been vacated by demonstrators. There have been a number of other attacks on different rally sites.
''The PDRC cannot dance the ramwong all the time and a decisive campaign will be undertaken to end the 'Thaksin regime','' he said on FM101 radio station.
By Thaksin regime, Mr Somsak was referring to the influence of deposed prime minister on Thai politics and Ms Yingluck's caretaker administration.
Mr Somsak said more bombings were likely as the PDRC would soon accelerate its efforts to oust Ms Yingluck.
''The time is ripe, as messages about the evil of the Thaksin regime have been sent out across the country, even to people in remote areas,'' he added.
The six wounded Bangkok Metropolitan Administration workers were taken to Vajira Hospital. Four of them were treated and later released.
Two were reported to have been seriously injured.
The bomb exploded on the median strip about 11.30am, at the site where the People's Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism (Pefot) had earlier been encamped.
Pol Maj Gen Wallop Pathummuang, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Division 6, said a preliminary investigation had determined that it was a homemade bomb.
Investigators had not decided whether the explosion was aimed at hurting protesters as they had already left the former rally site, he said.
Pol Maj Gen Winai Sangprapai, a retired police officer who advises the Bangkok governor, believed the bomb was intended to intimidate anti-government protesters.
Samdin Lertbut, a leading Dharma Army member and Pefot coordinator, was certain that the bomb was planted to frighten demonstrators.
Rally sites of the PDRC and its ally the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, have previously been targeted with grenades, including two that landed and exploded behind the stage of the PDRC rally site on Chaeng Watthana Road on Saturday night.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday pleaded for an end to violence after the latest blast.
"I am asking all sides who have different political views not to use violence as a way out.
"This isn't right and the victims have nothing to do with the conflict,'' he said while paying a visit to the blast victims.
MR Sukhumbhand said he believed the bomb must have been planted recently otherwise the street cleaners would have spotted it.