Teacher among two more suspects arrested over Samui car bomb

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

PHUKET: A teacher is among the two new suspects arrested for allegedly playing a role in the Central Festival Samui bomb blast.

An informed source revealed yesterday that the 33-year-old teacher, who works in Pattani province, was being questioned at a military base.

“He is suspected of stealing a pickup truck on March 31 for use in the bomb attack,” the source said.

The stolen vehicle, which belongs to a local administrative body, was driven into the Central Festival Samui shopping mall in Surat Thani province on April 10 loaded with explosives. The blast late that night injured seven people.

Assistant national police commissioner Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri yesterday confirmed the arrest of the two new suspects. He said one of the pair ran an automobile business.

Asked about the other suspect, Gen Prawut said: “The other one is part of the team. But we can’t disclose what role he played.”

Gen Prawut said the ongoing investigation suggested that the team might have used four vehicles, not three.

Meanwhile, Muang Yala Police chief Jamlong Suvalak said security officials were now trying to locate three other vehicles: a silver Honda Civic, a white Mitsubishi Triton and a four-door Isuzu D-MAX.

“We believe these vehicles are now in the three southernmost provinces,” Col Jamlong said.

According to Gen Prawut, at least five suspects are now in custody. Three were security guards at Central Festival mall in Samui.

Surat Thani Governor Chatpong Chatraphuti said the investigation into the bomb blast was more than 80 per cent complete.

“Police are checking recordings from over 50 security cameras,” he said.

In the wake of the bomb attack, Chatpong ordered security be beefed-up at key places such as City Hall, the provincial court, Ratchaprapha Dam, Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan.

“We will also watch over department stores and key economic zones,” Governor Chatpong said.

— Phuket Gazette Editors