BANGKOK, June 19 – National Security Council (NSC) chief said Wednesday that security agencies are keeping a close watch on persons who raise suspicion by frequent travel between the capital and the restive South following last month’s bomb blast in the Ramkhamhaeng area.
NSC secretary-general Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabut said police have detained a suspect in the bombing at street stalls near the entrance of Soi Ramkhamhaeng 43 in Bangkok on May 26, which wounded seven people.
The suspect was identified as Idris Satapor, 24. He reportedly fled to the southern province of Narathiwat and was arrested there.
The NSC chief said the initial investigation found no link between the bombing and the southern insurgency.
Gen Paradorn admitted, however, that security agencies have been closely monitoring persons who travel frequently between Bangkok and the southern border provinces.
He said the monitored people were found not to have any connection with the insurgent movements as they visited the capital for job and personal errands.
No suspicious financial transactions were detected, he said.
National police chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew said the suspect has been detained under the state of emergency and he confessed that he carried out the bombing with three accomplices.
The suspect is still detained in Narathiwat and police investigators from Bangkok were sent there for further questioning, Gen Adul said. The investigation will take time before transferring the detainee to the capital.
Police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo said the authorities are authorised to hold him for 30 days under the special security law.
He said the suspect claimed that he was persuaded by other persons to carry out the blast.
The spokesman said the police need more time to collect evidence and are confident that the investigation will lead to the arrest of other accomplices.
