Natthawut’s trial begins Red shirt leader Natthawut Saikua is brought to the Criminal
Court on Ratchadaphisek Road on Monday
to attend the first hearing of his trial in which
he is accused of masterminding terrorist acts
during the street protests in April-May.
SURAPOL PROMSAKA NA SAKOLNAKORN
Bangkok should brace for possible bomb attacks in coming months, Department of Special Investigation chief Tharit Pengdit says.
Mr Tharit yesterday said intelligence gathered by the agency showed more bomb attacks could be expected in the capital.
The attacks were intended to send a message that the perpetrators had the capacity to instigate further unrest and to highlight the government's failure to ensure security, Mr Tharit said.
The warning came on the heels of a recent string of bomb attacks across the capital despite the emergency decree being in effect.
A bomb went off on Sunday in front of the Royal Turf Club on Phitsanulok Road in Dusit district.
The explosion caused minor damage to the exterior of the club and a nearby flyover. No injuries were reported.
Another bomb went off about 5pm on Friday opposite a grocery store on Soi 29 of Rama III Road in Yannawa district, injuring two teenage girls and a man in his 50s. There was another blast later that night on Soi Chakphra 16 in Taling Chan district, damaging a car but not causing any injuries.
Three unexploded bombs were found on Sept 8 in front of a school in Bangkok's Phaya Thai district, at The Mall on Ngam Wong Wan Road and at the Public Health Ministry in Nonthaburi.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of national security, yesterday apologised to the public for the security lapses that led to the explosions in Bangkok.
Mr Suthep said the government was also stepping up efforts to clamp down on illegal possession of war weapons as this was posing a security threat and might be linked to political violence.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday police would brief the cabinet today about the bomb incidents over the past week so measures could be implemented to prevent further attacks.
The prime minister also said he would decide this week whether the emergency decree would be lifted and in which provinces, based on the assessment of the security situation made by the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation which would be holding meetings today and on Friday.
Metropolitan Police Bureau spokesman Piya Uthayo said 467 locations in Bangkok deemed to be potential targets of attack would be kept under close surveillance. Patrols and roadblocks would be stepped up to plug security loopholes.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, attending the UN General Assembly in New York, said he was trying to explain to foreign countries that the recent bomb attacks were carried out by "political minority groups".
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