First Mother’s Day bombings suspect arrested

BANGKOK: Police today confirmed the arrest of a suspect linked to the wave of bombings in tourist towns last month that killed four people and wounded dozens, including foreigners.

The bombs and arson attacks August 11-12 in various towns south of Bangkok including Hua Hin, Surat Thani and in Phuket raised fears that a Muslim separatist insurgency, for years largely confined to three provinces in the deep-south, was spreading.

Police have issued several warrants in connection with the blasts but the suspect detained on Saturday, identified as Abdul Kadae, was the first of the suspects to be arrested.

“The suspect is currently in military custody where he is being interrogated,” Police deputy spokesman Krisana Pattanacharoen told Reuters.

Police said Mr Abdul is from Pattani and he has connections to separatists in the south.

They did not elaborate but said he is suspected of arson in Trang Province as part of the August attacks.

Mr Abdul can be held in military custody for up to seven days before he is allowed access to a lawyer.

— The Nation