Bangkok blast: Authorities go after man seen in CCTV

Thailand authorities are hunting a “suspect” who was visible in a CCTV footage of the bomb site in Central Bangkok that has claimed more than 20 lives and left several hundreds injured, Thailand’s junta chief and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said, casting light on the kingdom’s rival political factions.

He said the “suspect” could have affiliations to the “anti-government group based in Thailand’s north-east,”where the anti-coup Red Shirt movement has been dominant. In addition, Mr Prayut said the bomb planted at the Erawan Shrine was the deadliest attack ever in the country. A total of 123 people were injured, 42 of them were Thais, followed by 28 Chinese.

Among the foreigners who have killed in the bomb blast, two were Hong Kongers, two Chinese nationals, one Singaporean, two Malaysians, and five Thais. However, the identities of the rest remain unconfirmed.

The blast transpired just after China faced a massive explosive in the town Tianjin, which is believed to have killed at least 120 people and injured many others.

Police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said that the bombers had the intention of killing as many people as possible when the shrine was crowded the most. Major Generfal Werachon Sukhondhapatipak, one of the government spokesmen, said no terrorists groups have claimed responsibility so far and it was too early to link the activity to any terrorist group.

Meanwhile, Royal Thai Army chief and Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr said the attack didn’t match the usual mechanisms followed by separatist rebels in southern Thailand, thereby targeting groups at this very hour wouldn’t be a good idea. Police has cordoned off the area early Tuesday with hundreds of schools closed and checkpoints thrown up across the city.

From around the world, top dignitaries expressed their grief over the loss of lives. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon’s office released a statement saying he was shocked and has extended his condolences to the families of those killed and to the rest of the nation and its government.

“He hopes that those responsible will be brought to justice,” the statement said.

Similarly, the U.S. government released a statement extended sympathies to the victims and warning U.S. citizens in Bangkok to avoid the area.

Since years, Bangkok, with military Junta ruling the nation, has been a victim of religious insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives in far south. In the so-called “Deep South,”bombs are a near-daily reality alongside shootings and ambushes of security forces. However, there has never been a confirmed attack by the insurgents outside the southern region despite the years of war .

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.