Bombing suspect bribed his way into Thailand

A key suspect in last month's Bangkok bombing paid a $600 bribe to border police to illegally enter Thailand.

Adem Karadag, one of two foreign suspects in the August 17 Erawan Shrine bombing, was arrested at his apartment in eastern Bangkok late last month. Police said Karadag was in possession of bomb-making equipment and dozens of fake Turkish passports.

Police have not explained Karadag's role in the incident but said they know how he entered Thailand.

Suspect Adem Karadag. Photo: AFP.

"The first man (Karadag) said he went through Vietnam to a neighboring country and then paid to continue his journey," AFP quoted Thai police chief Somyot Poompanmoung as telling reporters. "At the Thai border, he paid $600 (to enter Thailand)."

Mr. Somyot did not name the neighboring country or the identity of the bribe recipient. This neighboring country could be Laos or Cambodia, as both countries are located between Vietnam and Thailand.

The second suspect, Yusufu Mieraili, was arrested on September 1 at the border with Cambodia. He was carrying a Chinese passport that police believe was genuine. Mieraili admitted to passing the backpack containing the bomb to a man who left it at the Erawan Shrine minutes before the explosion.

Thailand is considered a safe haven for foreigners who want to hide or overstay their visas because many officials are willing to accept bribes to turn a blind eye.

“I cannot ignore this issue because I feel ashamed,” Mr Somyot said yesterday, calling on the military government to help him deal with corrupt border officials. At least six police officers in the border area with Cambodia, where Mieraili was arrested, have been dismissed for allegedly taking bribes to help people cross the border.

The motives of the group of suspects accused of being responsible for the August 17 bombing that killed 20 people and hit Thailand’s tourism industry remain unclear. Analysts believe the incident was linked to Uighur Muslim militants, as Thailand deported dozens of Uighurs to China earlier this summer.

Thai media in recent days have focused on reporting that the suspected mastermind, identified as Izan or Ishan, fled Thailand before the Erawan bombing.

Thai police confirmed today that they are searching for the man but said he had little role in the bombing. "Don't assume Ishan is a big fish. You might be surprised," Mr Somyot said.

According to VNE