THAILAND-BOMBS/UPDATE Explosions at Bangkok luxury mall spark security concerns

Record ID: 358289

  • Title: THAILAND-BOMBS/UPDATE Explosions at Bangkok luxury mall spark security concerns
  • Date: 2nd February 2015
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (FEBRUARY 2, 2015) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** THAI POLICE SPOKESMAN, POLICE GENERAL PRAWUT THAWORNSIRI, LOOKING AT EXPLOSION SCENE FORENSIC POLICE STANDING AT SCENE / EXPLOSION DAMAGE OFFICIAL EXAMINING EXPLOSION SCENE VARIOUS OF METAL DAMAGED FROM EXPLOSION FORENSIC POLICE OFFICERS INVESTIGATING SCENE FORENSIC POLICE OFFICER WIT
  • Embargoed: 17th February 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAE2FXQY47H43EMRYX5DYCROXC4
  • Story Text: Concerns over Thailand's stability were high on Monday (January 2) after a double explosion hit a Bangkok luxury mall the previous evening.
    Two pipe bombs exploded outside a luxury shopping mall in the Thai capital on Sunday (February 1) night in an attack Thai police say was aimed at raising tension in a city living under martial law.
    Thailand's National Police Spokesman, Police General Prawut Thawornsiri, went to investigate the explosion scene on Monday (February 2) to examine the damage.
    With the lack of CCTV-footage to easily pinpoint the perpetrator, Prawut said police were collecting all evidence of finger prints and other clues in order to identify those responsible.
    He also added that police had not ruled out any possibilities to link the motives of the attack with previous threats they had been made aware of.
    "The police have been on guard throughout the new year after news of plans to create disturbance (emerged), and that went without problem. Today, it is something else. But we still need time to see whether there's a link to that." Prawut told reporters.
    He nevertheless refused to say whether the incident was linked to politics, explaining that the investigation was still in a premature stage.
    The bombs caused little damage but were the first to shake the Thai capital since the military seized power in May, toppling the Yingluck Shinawatra government, to end months of sometimes deadly street protests,
    Local Bangkok residents started to express concern over the matter on Monday, saying that the incident could be a sign of resentment from pro-democracy groups.
    "In my opinion, this could be the beginning of signs of resentment that will eventually take various forms," said 56-year old Bangkok resident, Nid.
    Some were also worried about the city's safety.
    "I'm afraid that this will affect the stability and afraid that there might be another bomb that might injure people when there are activities with lots of people around here," said 22-year old university student, Pipop Rungrongwongsiri.
    Two improvised explosive devices were placed behind power transformers on an elevated walkway linking the overhead rail line to the upmarket Siam Paragon mall in central Bangkok, police said.
    Security around Bangkok city, particularly entrances to Bangkok's luxury malls, has been tightened since the weekend incident, according to local Thai media reports.
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