SONGKHLA, April1 – Thailand’s national police chief Priewpan Damapong confirmed on Sunday that the explosion in the underground parking of Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel on Saturday was caused by a car bomb linked to bombings in Yala.
The death toll from the hotel blast has been revised from five to three with more than 400 people injured.
The death toll was earlier reported at five but Songkhla provincial governor Grisada Boorach and public health ministry inspector Dr Boonruang Trairuangvorawat (MD) revised down the death toll to three.
Among those killed were two men and one woman, including a Malaysian tourist identified as Mr. Low Tsain Hock.
Pol Gen Priewpan earlier inspected damage from the blasts and fire at the hotel on Sunday. He ordered forensics experts and police commander region 9 to collect evidence to bring the culprits to justice.
Initially, the police found that the hotel blast was linked to bombings in Yala, occurring about one hour before which killed 10 people and wounded more than 100 others.
The Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel compound was cordoned off and hotel guests were moved to stay at the older Lee Gardens Hotel. A tourist service centre was set up at the hotel to assist tourists.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Sunday the insurgent group behind Saturday’s car bombs has been identified but refused to disclose more details for fear that it would affect the work of authorities.
“We have clues who the bombers are, but details could not be released as [I] want [the police investigative team] to work on this comfortably,” she said, adding that security has been stepped up in the region to ensure public safety and police from other units will reinforce.
In addition, Ms Yingluck said she also assigned police to work with the army to establish facts and find the perpetrators as well as determine the anti-insurgency plan.
The premier also expressed sorrow to blast victims and said she assigned Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit to rehabilitate those wounded from the incidents and assist relatives of the deceased.
