Bangkok bomb killing was not a terror attack according to police

Bangkok police claimed they had one of the suspects in custody. National police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang downplayed any suggestion that the suspect was connected to terrorism.

Bangkok police claimed they had one of the suspects in custody. National police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang downplayed any suggestion that the suspect was connected to terrorism.

Officers say the suspect, who was charged with illegal possession of weapons, was involved in the attack.

However, they say he is not the man seen on CCTV footage leaving a bag at the Erawan Shrine before the explosion.
The bomb tore through the crowded shrine on 17 August, injuring more than 100, mostly tourists.

The man, who was described as a 28-year-old foreigner by police, was arrested in Nong Jok on the outskirts of Bangkok on Saturday.
Thai army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr said the man had so far not co-operated with investigators.

News reports indicated the suspect was a Turkish citizen, since stolen Turkish passports were found at his apartment along with bomb-making materials including ball bearings and piping, similar to what was used in the shrine attack.

The Turkish embassy issued a statement denying the arrested was connected to Turkey or had Turkish citizenship.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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