Thailand arrests 15 suspects in tourist bombings

Thailand announced the arrest of 15 suspects in connection with bombings and arson attacks at several tourist sites in the south of the country last week.

Police inspect the scene of a bomb explosion in the southern province of Surat Thani, Thailand, August 12. Photo: Reuters.

"Authorities detained 17 suspects at barracks in the capital Bangkok but had to release two," AFP quoted Colonel Burin Tongprapai, legal adviser to the Thai military government, as saying to reporters today. Thailand is trying to recapture the two suspects.

No one has claimed responsibility for 11 bombings in five southern Thai provinces last week that killed four people and injured more than 30.

Analysts say the perpetrators may be Muslim insurgent groups operating in Thailand’s far south, with violence limited to border areas. Targeting tourists far from their strongholds would mark an unprecedented escalation of the conflict.

Some observers believe that anti-military forces are behind the series of bombings aimed at discrediting the government.

The coastal town of Hua Hin was hit hardest by twin bomb blasts within 24 hours, on the night of August 11 and the morning of August 12. The incidents killed two people and injured more than 20. A Thai police spokesman said 10 foreign tourists were injured, including two Italians, one Austrian, four Dutch and three Germans.

According to VNE