China denies Uighur bombing in Bangkok

The Chinese Embassy in Thailand has denied reports from Thai media that Uyghurs from the Xinjiang autonomous region were behind the bombing in central Bangkok.

Erawan Shrine in central Bangkok - Photo: Reuters

The Chinese Embassy criticized the Thai media for being “extremely irresponsible” when reporting that Uyghur Muslims (from Xinjiang) were behind the bombing at the Erawan Hindu shrine in central Bangkok on the evening of August 17, which killed 20 people and injured dozens, according to the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) on ​​August 21.

“It is irresponsible for anyone to draw conclusions without any evidence,” a Chinese embassy spokeswoman said on the evening of August 20.

Previously, Thai media said that Uyghurs in Xinjiang carried out the bombing in retaliation for the Thai government's deportation of 109 Uyghurs in July.

“The Thai authorities are still investigating; no one should draw conclusions at this time,” the spokeswoman said.

Thai military authorities say they suspect at least 10 people were behind the bombing.

Thai police released a sketch of the main suspect identified as “a foreigner” in the bombing in the capital Bangkok - Photo: Reuters

The Erawan Shrine is a popular tourist attraction for Chinese and other East Asian tourists. Among those killed in the bombing were 11 foreigners, including five from China and Hong Kong.

Thai police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP that two men seen near the main suspect in security camera footage were not involved in the bombing.

One of them, a Thai man, turned himself in to the police on the afternoon of August 20. Police questioned him and released him. The other man, a Chinese citizen, has left Thailand.

Meanwhile, police have yet to find the main suspect, believed to be the foreign man in the yellow shirt seen in the security camera footage and who has a wanted photo, Mr. Thavornsiri said. Thai police have sent information about the suspect to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

Thai police also set up checkpoints at airports, but so far have not found anyone matching the suspect's sketch.

According to Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha: “The main suspect in the bombing appeared in the camera video disguised. This shows that this was a premeditated plot, because the suspect knew for sure that there were cameras around the bombing area.”

(According to TNO)