Police apply for arrest warrants for suspects in Hua Hin bomb attacks

The Criminal Records Division has also produced sketches of the suspects. 

Srivara, who is leading the investigation into the bomb and arson attacks in Prachuap Khiri Khan and six Southern provinces, flew to Hua Hin yesterday to apply for the warrants in person at 2pm. 

“Police have gathered evidence to ask for the Military Circle 15 Court to issue at least one arrest warrant,” he said, adding that police have already identified the suspects and their links to the bombings. However, he refused to elaborate on possible motives. 

The arrest warrant applications were submitted at the Ram Ratchaniwet Military Camp because the case was regarded as a national security matter, he said. 

The three men are suspected of planting bombs on August 10, which led to two blasts – one at adjacent bars on August 11 and the other at the Hua Hin clock tower on August 12. The Hua Hin blasts killed two people and wounded many others. 

Police also discovered an unexploded bomb on August 14 at Hua Hin’s Chat Chai Market. 

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, police yesterday issued sketches of two suspects who are believed to be among four people who allegedly planted a bomb at a Tesco Lotus mall in the province. 

The sketches are based on the testimony of witnesses, including motorcycle taxi drivers and bus ticket vendors, who reportedly spoke to the suspects as they fled the scene. 

Investigators have said the four men reportedly changed their clothes after fleeing the scene to avoid detection, with the last change of clothes taking place in a dark corner of Songkhla’s Hat Yai bus station, where they bought tickets for a bus bound for Sungai Kolok. 

Meanwhile, forensic police and bomb squad officers reported finding more evidence at four shops in Krabi’s Ao Nang area, which were the target of arson attacks before dawn on August 12. 

Investigators said two men wearing caps, sunglasses and facemasks had stopped at the shops for about an hour two days before the attack, adding that police expected to inspect the site over the next two days to determine if the fire was caused by arson or an electrical short circuit.