The warrant was issued after Assistant National Police Commissioner Lt-General Jongrak Juthanont had given evidence to the court.

The person suspected of dropping a black bag into a rubbish bin in front of a McDonald's outlet at the Major Cineplex Ratchayothin shopping plaza is believed to be Thai aged between 25-30 years old. He is thin and tall. He was wearing a cap and apparently had a limp.

He is wanted on charges of terrorism, attempted murder, illegal possession of explosives and triggering an explosion that could be harmful to others. If convicted, the maximum penalty is death.

The suspect was caught on a security video camera.

The pictures were enhanced by Canada-based image processing experts.

The images will be released to the media next Wednesday, after which police expect to receive useful information from the public.

Charan Dithapichai, a Human Rights Commissioner, said he believed the decision of the court to issue the warrant was based on strong evidence.

However, he said, police should be careful to arrest the right person as the warrant did not specifically identify any individual.

"Police should try their best to avoid arresting an innocent person, which would be a violation of their human rights," he said.

Meanwhile, the search for a man suspected of planting a bomb at a police box near Saphan Khwai Intersection continues, Jongrak said. Investigators are now sifting through piles of information given by people after a picture of the suspect was released.