Man arrested for allegedly planting six bombs in Bangkok

The suspect, Jirawat Janphen, was paraded in front of reporters at the Metropolitan Police Bureau at 10 am without being allowed to answer reporters’ questions at all.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung was the only one who talked to reporters during the press conference, which lasted only 20 minutes before it was abruptly ended. Chalerm was accompanied by Police Commissioner-General Pol Gen Priewphan Damapong and Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt Gen Winai Thongsong and several other senior police officers.
Chalerm told the press conference that the suspect came from Sakon Nakhon and has been staying in Bangkok’s Laksi district and has been hired to raise goats for the people in the area.
Chalerm alleged that Jirawat placed six homemade bombs at three spots. The deputy prime minister did not say how the man had obtained the homemade bombs.
Chalerm said Jirawat placed a bomb besides the building of Bangkok Bank, Soi Sukhumvit 77 branch. The bomb was supposed to be detonated with a remote control.
Two bombs were stuffed in a PVC pipe and left at the Wat Kingkaew Intersection and they were set to be detonated with a timing device.
Chalerm said the three other bombs were put inside PVC pipes and placed under a bridge on On Nuj Road in Lat Krabang district. They were also timed to explode.
Chalerm said the bomb squads of the Metropolitan Police had safely disposed all the bombs.
The deputy prime minister said the bombs appeared similarly made to those found on Rajdamnone Road.
Jirawat was charged with having explosives in possession without license. Chalerm said the suspect was arrested at 3 am at the Wat Kingkaew Intersection on a frontage road of the Bangkok-Chon Buri Montorway.
The suspect sat smiling with his face down during the press conference. He said he would testify only in court.
After reporters raised many questions for the suspect to answer, Chalerm, who was sitting beside him, cut short the press conference. Chalerm said he ended the press conference because Priewphan was very sleepy.
Chalerm concluded the press conference by asking Bangkokians to celebrate New Year holidays without having to worry about bomb attacks.