Three blasts a security issue but not terrorism: Yuthasak
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Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha on Thursday admitted the Tuesday's three explosions off Sukhumvit 71 were a security issue but there was no evidence to classify as a terror attack nor a linkage to Hezbollah.
“The government views the blasts as having impacted on the national security,” he said in the question-and-answer session of the House.
The explosive devices undercovered were meant for individual targets and the blasts involving Iranian bomber suspects were individual crimes and not a terroroist attack, Yuthasak said.
The police investigation has yet to determine the motive why the suspects were assembling the devices before the explosions, he said. The authorities had no evidence to link the suspects to the terrorist movement.
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said his ministry had explained the situation to the diplomatic corps.
In comparison to the harsh warning in connection with the last month’s arrest of a Lebanese man suspected of stockpiling explosives, the foreign embassiens toned down the language to remind their nationals to be cautious in public places, he said. Previous warnings had urged to avoid making an unnessary trip to the country.
The remarks were in response to the question posed by Democrat MP Thana Cheeravinij.
Thana wanted to know whether the blasts were an act of terror since a foreign leader cancelled a private visit to Bangkok.
According to news reports, Israel Defence Minister Ehud Barak would pay a scheduled private visit on Wednesday but abruptly cancelled following the explosions.
