Thailand Arrests Alleged Bomber In Military Hospital Bombing

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa BANGKOK, June 16 (Bernama) -- A former electrical engineer with a state enterprise who confessed to the Thai police, “I do not like soldiers” has been arrested over his alleged involvement in a bombing incident last month at the military-run Pramongkutklao Hospital which left 21 people injured. Following the arrest of the 62-year-old man at Nonthaburi’s Bang Kruai district Thursday morning, the man took the authorities to his house at Bang Khen district where the investigators found several pipe bombs and bomb-making materials, including PVC and nails. Initial police investigations have revealed the suspect was linked to three other bombing incidents in the city since 2007. A woman, suspected to be the man’s accomplice has also been detained in connection with the bombing incident at the hospital. "The relevant agencies are investigating the case, but he (the suspect) did (place the bomb) for sure. The authorities are seeking a motive behind the incident, but he said he didn't like soldiers," Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters when met at the Government House Friday. He said the female suspect was currently under investigation for her alleged role in the hospital bombing incident, adding that the male suspect might have had several other accomplices in the bombing of the military hospital. Prawit, who is also defence minister and internal affairs minister said the authorities took some time before arresting the man as they had to inspect many closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the scene of the incident. The deputy prime minister was also asked whether the hospital bombing incident would be classified as a terrorism incident but replied that further investigations were needed before deciding on that aspect. The incident which struck the hospital, popular among military personnel, military retirees as well as locals was condemned by civil societies and human rights organisations, with many saying it was tantamount to a terrorist act. Meanwhile, defence ministry spokesman Maj Gen Kongcheep Tantravanich in a statement said about 40,000 more CCTVs would be installed nationwide to complement the existing 300,000 cameras in operation now. The National Security Council will deliberate the issues of additional CCTVs in its meeting later, he said. -- BERNAMA