CRIM Scientific Detection Division officers examine the scene of an explosion in the Santi Asoke religious centre compound in Soi Nawamin, Bueng Kum, Bangkok yesterday.

They insisted, however, that the incident would not discourage them from showing up for the rally at Sanam Luang on Sunday.

The bomb was planted in a hole inside a cement base supporting a tree in the compound. The blast shattered windows of broke roof tiles at shelter buildings. Marble chairs were also broken, and an open space used for leisure activities was damaged. The blast was powerful enough to damage glass windows and the ceilings of eight townhouses nearby. Despite the extent of the damage, no one was injured.

Santi Asoke is the heart of “Dharma Army,” and includes supporters of former Palang Dharma Party leader Chamlong Srimuang, who last Sunday called on the prime minister to resign.

Chamlong, president of the Dharma Army Foundation and a former leader of the Palang Dhar-ma political party, said he believed the bomb attack had been in retaliation for his decision to lead Dharma Army members to join the rally against Thaksin.

He said he expected no untoward incidents at Sanam Luang because security for Sunday’s event would be better than at Santi Asoke’s headquarters. However, he added that he feared other bomb blasts might take place at Santi Asoke monasteries around the country.

“I would like to tell people not to be frightened by these scare tactics. The more they intimidate us, the more people will join us at the rally,” Chamlong said.

Santi Asoke founder Samana Bodhirak said the bomb might have scared some Santi Asoke members off from joining the rally. He maintained, however, that most members would show a united front and refuse to back down.

He denied speculation that Santi Asoke had planted the bomb.

“Somebody has asked if we set up the bombing ourselves. Why? We have no reason to do that,” he said.

Thaksin declined to comment on the incident, but government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee suggested it had been carried out by a third party. Security agencies will meet today to discuss the situation in preparation for the rally on Sunday, he said.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Adisorn Piengket advised people not to join the rally because it could turn violent.

Interior Minister ACM Kongsak Wantana said the bombing might have been carried out by a party trying to incite more members of the Dharma Army into joining the anti-Thaksin rally on Sunday.

Kongsak said he the bomb was low-powered and clearly not intended to kill.

“We worry and fear that it was caused by a third party. I hereby affirm that it was not done by the government and I don’t think it was done by the Dharma Army either. I think neither side wants the situation to be like this,” Kongsak said.

Col Phinit Maneerat, spokesman of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the bomb occurred at 2am inside the monastery on Soi Navamin 46 in Bangkok’s Bung Kum district. He said the bomb had been confined in a small area clearly with the aim of causing a loud noise.

Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin called on members of Santi Asoke to remain calm, pointing out that it was not yet known who was behind the attack.

“It could be [related to] internal conflicts. We don’t know the facts yet so I would not like anyone to cite this to incite people and worsen the situation,” the army chief said.

Phinit said initial investigation indicated the bomb had been the same type recently planted at the office of Manager Media Group Co, Ltd, organiser of the Thailand Weekly programme at Lumpini Park, and beside the wall of the Interior Ministry.