Seven suspects eyed for Samui car bomb attack

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: Arrest warrants will be issued for up to seven Koh Samui car bomb suspects once sufficient evidence has been collected, national police chief Gen Somyot Poompanmuang said yesterday.

Meanwhile, high-ranking Internal Security Operations Command official Gen Phisit Sitthisarn said the car-bomb attack on the tourist island two weeks ago should not affect the junta’s ongoing efforts at reconciliation, adding that all parties would be included in the efforts.

Gen Phisit went on to say that insurgency in the Deep South would take a while to sort out, but reconciliation efforts in this region had made the most progress so far. He was speaking during a visit to Surat Thani province to inspect the ISOC’s progress.

When asked about rumors linking a former Army general to the attack, Gen Somyot said, “In police investigations, what cannot be confirmed will not be reiterated or announced.”

The seven suspects facing arrest are said to have had a hand in several aspects of the attack, including providing the vehicle, explosives and other equipment. Somyot did not say whether these suspects included the masterminds or those who took part in the planning, including this unidentified top brass.

He said the military and police were jointly investigating the attack and information extracted from the people was the same as police.

— Phuket Gazette Editors