Close watch on all major bridges in the capital
August 7, 2010
Security has been heightened at major bridges across the Chao Phya River in Bangkok after warnings were issued of possible sabotage.
Riverside installations and nearby areas, such as Sanam Luang, Bank of Thailand headquarters as well as Tha Phra Chan and Tha Phra Athit piers, were also under protection by police and civil defence volunteers.
Chana Songkhram police, whose jurisdiction covers the Phra Pinklao and Rama VIII Bridges, said civil defence volunteers were manning checkpoints. Station chief Pol Colonel Khing Khwaegwisetchaicharn also said volunteers from Wat In and Sanam Luang communities had been most active in helping look out for possible attackers, and called on other communities to come forward and help.
Checkpoints have been set up at either end of both bridges and trash bins in busy roads and tourist areas such as khao san Road have been replaced with transparent plastic ones, while garbage is collected more frequently.
Seksan Worrapitijaroenkul, a suspect arrested over a carbombing incident in May, had to be treated for highblood pressure before he could be taken to the Criminal Court yesterday morning. He was later released on a bail guarantee of Bt1 million and has been barred from travelling overseas.
The suspect insists that he was merely sitting in a Honda Civic sedan, that was carrying the explosives, and though he knew some of the suspects, he had never taken part in any bomb attacks.
Department of Special Investigation chief Tharit Phengdit said Seksan had spoken more about Thanadej Ekaphiwat, a man wanted for the bomb attack near Big C Rajdamri, who was implicated by his own sister Patiphak.
Police said they were also after a man going by the name Suwit and Bang Wai who was named by former Army conscript Sorrathian Singkanya as jointly carrying out a grenade attack near King Power offices at Soi Rangnam.
Suwit had reportedly told police he would surrender, but has been silent since. Police searched a home in Bueng Kum district believed to belong to him but found nothing illegal.
Pol MajGeneral Wichai Sangpraphai said Suwit was also suspected of being involved in the Big C Rajdamri incident.
nationmultimedia.com