Police: No South connection in Bangkok bombing

27 May 2013, Bangkokpost - The bomb explosion at the entrance of Ramkhamhaeng Soi 43/1 on Sunday night that injured seven people was not connected to the southern insurgency, Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Kamronwit Thoopkrachang said on Monday.

Police explosive ordnance disposal officers on Monday morning inspect the damage caused by an apparent bomb explosion at the entrance of Ramkhamhaeng Soi 43/1 on Sunday night. (Photo by Surapol Promsaka na Sakolnakorn)

Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit was releasing further details after attending a meeting with police investigators on Monday afternoon to discuss progress in the Ramkhanhaeng bombing.
He said the type of nails used in the improvised explosive device (IED) were different from those used in the deep South.
Pol Lt Gen said the nails found at the scene were construction nails.
Pol Gen Pansiri Prapawat, deputy police chief, said the blast was most likely connected to disputes between vendors over selling spaces.
Investigators are questioning garbage collectors and will continue checking footage from closed circuit television cameras in Ramkhamhaeng area, he added.

A report in Thai Rath also quoted an expert from a bomb inspection unit saying it was unlikely the explosion was the work of southern insurgents.
"If it was carried out by insurgents, there might have been more than one explosion, to create fear and unrest, and the explosives would likely be placed on pavements instead of inside a telephone booth facing the street.
"The explosion was probably not politically motivated because the area has no political significance. Ping pong bombs or giant firecrackers are often used to threaten political opponents," the expert said.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said he had assigned the Traffic and Transportation Department to check footage from CCTV cameras from Ramkhamhaeng Soi 27 to Soi 53 between 6pm and 10pm.
"Now, all the CCTV cameras are real and there are no dummy cameras but some spots have not been supplied with electricity yet," MR Sukhumbhand said.
Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, spokesman for the opposition Democrat Party, said he wanted Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who oversees national security, to quickly find and take action against the person responsible for the Ramkhamhaeng bombing.
Mr Chavanond said the bombing had affected people's confidence in the country's economy and tourism.
The government must find out whether the bombing had any connections with the southern insurgency, he said.
Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong said four of the seven injured have been discharged from hospital.
The five women and two men were taken to Ramkhamhaeng and Vejthani hospitals following the blast. They were Arthit Wonghabutra, 29, Srawut Mahachai, 24, Donut Yasuree, 16, Janjira Jingjai, 21, Suthamas Jingjai, 47, Pannada Kanchai, 25 and Sumontiya Vejsoong, 44.
Dr Pradit said the three who remain under doctors' care are Ms Suthamas, Ms Sumontiya and Donut. Their condition is improving, he said.

http://bangkokpost.com/news/local/352053/police-no-south-connection-in-bangkok-bombing