Thai Authorities Suspect Red Shirt in Deadly Explosion

Police believe that the man responsible for the bomb in Nonthaburi also died in the explosion.
Thai Authorities Suspect Red Shirt in Deadly Explosion
Thai policemen inspect the site of a bomb blast in Nonthaburi on October 5, 2010. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
10/6/2010
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/thailand104878199.jpg" alt="Thai policemen inspect the site of a bomb blast in Nonthaburi on October 5, 2010.  (STR/AFP/Getty Images)" title="Thai policemen inspect the site of a bomb blast in Nonthaburi on October 5, 2010.  (STR/AFP/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1813773"/></a>
Thai policemen inspect the site of a bomb blast in Nonthaburi on October 5, 2010.  (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Police believe that the man responsible for a bomb blast that ripped through a five-story apartment building in Nonthaburi killing four people yesterday, also died in the explosion.

A staunch red shirt supporter, Samai Wongsuwan, was earlier identified as the suspect in the bomb blast. Samai was arrested last year in connection with an assault on a group of yellow shirt supporters, the Bangkok Post reported.

Police found a severed arm in the room rented by Samai Wongsuwan, a man earlier identified as the suspect. A driver’s license with Samai’s name was found near the body part, according to an officer at the Crime Suppression Division involved in the case.

DNA tests are being done on the arm to confirm the man’s identity. Police guess the man accidentally detonated the bomb he was trying to assemble, the Bangkok Post reported.

The blast blew out the windows and walls of the building and scattered debris on the street. Its impact also shattered windows and damaged nearby buildings and vehicles leaving nine people injured, two hospitalized in critical condition.

Forensic officers combing the wreckage yesterday found batteries, electrical tape, parts of an air conditioner, coolant, storage cylinders, fire extinguishers, and electronic circuits. They believe Samai hoped to detonate the bomb in about a week, although they do not know where, according to the report.

The explosive materials found at the site were similar to those discovered at four previous bomb sites.

A source close to the investigation said the apartment blast bore the stamp of more than 10 bomb threats and attacks in Bangkok in recent weeks. “We are trying to establish if they [the bombs] are the work of the same group,” the source said, quoted by the Post.