BANGKOK — Witnesses testified Wednesday against one of the two men accused by authorities of planting explosive devices in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters on Aug. 1.
Deputy Bangkok police chief Pakapong Phongpetra told reporters Wednesday that three witnesses, one of whom is a taxi driver who drove the suspects to a bus station, have identified Wildun Maha as one of the perpetrators.
Wildun was brought to the capital on Tuesday for further interrogation.
Authorities are pursuing four charges against both men, including cooperating in criminal activity, possessing explosive devices, attempted manslaughter, and handling explosive devices in public spaces. The suspects have reportedly denied all the allegations, but the police say they have gathered enough evidence to press charges.
Both men are now being detained separately across two Bangkok police stations, with armed police on guard inside and outside their cells around the clock. The police said that both men “do not show any signs of stress” and are cooperating with officials.
Another suspect, Luai Sae-ngae, is to be identified before witnesses on Thursday.
A report on Channel 3 on Aug. 3 quoted an unnamed police source as saying that the two men had confessed that their involvement in the bomb attacks was revenge for military operations in the Deep South. However, the Prime Minister himself later disputed this claim.
Arrest warrants were issued for four more men on Wednesday: Hasae Bae-loh, 22; Asmee Abuwa, 22; Usman Poh-loh, 20; and Amri Maming, 23. All men are from the Deep South provinces of either Narathiwat or Pattani.
On Aug. 5, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha confirmed that nine people alleged to be involved in the bomb attacks that rocked Bangkok on Aug. 2 have been arrested.
The first bombs were discovered in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters on Aug. 1, but the police were able to diffuse them. The next morning, bombs exploded at five areas across Bangkok, injuring four.
