BANGKOK, 16 February 2012 – The police have stepped up security at places popular among foreigners, after 3 explosions wounded 5 people in Bangkok.
The Royal Thai Police Commissioner General, Police General Prewpan Dhamapong, said on Wednesday that Mohammad Hazaei, one of the suspects in Tuesday blasts now under police detention, has denied his involvement in the incident.
Hazaei, an Iranian national, said he did come out of the rented house on Soi Pridi Phanomyong 31 with Saeid Moradi, another arrested suspect who lost both legs to his own explosives, but had no idea about the blasts.
Despite his denial, the police are confident in the evidence that ties the suspect to the incident.
Police General Prewpan added that investigators believe the assailants were targeting foreigners in Thailand. He also conceded that the explosions in Bangkok are similar to the earlier attacks in India.
The National Police Chief said that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has given no extra order on the issue. He stated that security officers will pay more attention to places foreigners tend to live.
Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant General Wiboon Bangthamai, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, revealed that the third suspect, identified as Masoud Sedaghatzadeh, has escaped to Kuala Lumpur by an AirAsia flight at 8.20 pm on Tuesday.
He said that, as the explosives used in the Bangkok incident are similar to the ones used in the Indian attack, Thailand is now collaborating with Israel to solve the case.
