Bangkok blasts: PM Prayuth Chan-ocha orders investigation into bombings

Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon said police arrested two suspects connected to the explosions at five different locations in Bangkok

Police on Thursday said they had found two fake bombs outside their headquarters in central Bangkok

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A crowd gathers near the site of the explosions in Bangkok. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:39am, 2 Aug 2019Updated: 10:19pm, 2 Aug 2019

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Friday ordered an investigation into a series of small bombings in Bangkok that took place as Thailand was hosting a high-level meeting attended by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his counterparts from China and several Asia-Pacific countries.

According to police, three bombs exploded at the government complex in Chaeng Wattana and one failed to go off. Two others blew up in the Chong Nonsi area. A “ping-pong bomb” exploded in the Suan Luang area.

There were no casualties but four people were injured.

A policeman at the scene of an explosion in Bangkok. Photo: AFP

“A group of ill-intended people have recently incited violence while the government is propelling the country forward,” Prayuth’s office said in a statement, urging the public not to panic and cooperate with authorities in investigating the blasts.“We must demonstrate our collective effort to fight against those who intend to harm the country.”

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters that police arrested two suspects connected to the explosions at five different locations in Bangkok.

Prawit said the perpetrators were trying to “stir the situation”. When asked whether it was connected to the junta’s recent relinquishing of power, he said: “I don’t know either, let authorities investigate first.”