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Thai police claim suspect with backpack ‘is the bomber’ after Bangkok spooked by second explosion

Security forces collect evidence at scene as army chief says bombing not in line with insurgent tactics

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National police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang talks to journalists at Sathorn Pier, Bangkok. Photo: EPA

Thai police said on Tuesday investigators believe a man seen in security video wearing a yellow T-shirt and carrying a backpack set off the explosion at a central Bangkok shrine that killed 21 people and injured more than 100.

“The yellow shirt guy is not just the suspect. He is the bomber,” Police Lieutenant General Prawut Thavornsiri, told reporters on Tuesday.

Thai authorities are looking for a suspect seen on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Thai authorities are looking for a suspect seen on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Prawut earlier released several photos of the man, with and without the backpack, on a social media platform. The images were apparently taken from closed-circuit video at Erawan Shrine on Monday before the central Bangkok bombing. He confirmed that the man is suspected in the bombing.
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Video footage posted separately on Thai media appeared to show the same man sitting on a bench at the crowded shrine, then taking off the backpack and leaving it behind as he walked away.

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Watch: Thai Police release video of Erawan Shrine bombing suspect

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