Bomb suspect denies involvement in attempted attacks in Bangkok

A suspect of the attempted bombings in three Bangkok locations early Friday morning denied involvement, but police confirmed his wrongdoing, linking him to prior attempted bombing in Bangkok. Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung and National Police Chief Prewpan Dhamapong on Friday jointly told a press conference on the arrest of a attempted bombing suspect at three locations in eastern Bangkok with a total of six explosives. The suspect is Jirawat Chanpeng, 45, a native of northeastern province of Sakon Nakhon, local media reported. He denied all allegations, refused to give interview with media and insisted to testify in court. All the bombs were retreated early this morning. The suspect possibly faces up to two years imprisonment for possessing illegal explosive materials, according to the Kom Chad Luk online. At the first spot a home-made bomb was laid by the wall of a bank branch on Sukhumvit road in Suan Luang district, meant to be triggered by remote control. At the second spot, two other bombs was laid opposite Suvarnabhumi market in Lat Krabang district, according to the Thairath Online. At the third spot, three bombs were located on a motorway. It was set to detonate at 12:55 p.m. local time. The authority said they arrested the suspect at the third spot on 3 a.m. of Friday local time. Chalerm said all home-made bombs found today were similar to the homemade bomb found on Dec. 6 near the Government Lottery Office (GLO) on Rajdamnoen Avenue. The bomb squad inspected the device and found that its circuits were incomplete and that it could not function, but it was believed to be placed there to cause a disturbance and unsettle the public. Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm said that police did not believe that the suspect acted alone and he must have expertise in making bombs. The deputy premier said the bombs have strong potential to kill and the police would further investigate possible linkages to the bomb placed near the Government Lottery Office earlier this month. Meanwhile, opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday that he called for the government to bring truth about the incidents to the public. During New Year festival in January 2007, five months after the September 2006 coup, three bombs exploded in the capital and the northern tourist province of Chiang Mai, killing three and injuring almost 40 people. Bomb detectors have been installed at the entrance of several shopping malls in Bangkok since then.