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Published on December 19, 2007

Monday's attack on the People Power Party's Lat Phrao office was not an attempt to hurt anyone, but just a politically motivated publicity stunt, the Council for National Security said yesterday.

CNS caretaker chief ACM Chalit Pukpasuk also ruled out any postponement of the December 23 election because of the incident, which left no casualties.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont instructed police and other authorities to beef up security.

"I have received separate reports from police and the Election Commission and ordered law-enforcement agencies to get to the bottom of the explosion at the People Power Party (PPP) office," he said.

The election will go on as scheduled despite the campaign-related violence and flooding in the three southernmost provinces, he said, adding that all main roads in the South were still open even though some areas were submerged. "The poll is on course and the government will try to facilitate voters in casting their ballots," he said.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Aswin Khwanmuang said two types of bombs were used. One was an MK 2 grenade wrapped tightly with tape so that it would not go off when it was thrown and could be defused by police. The other was a smoke grenade that was detonated.

Police believe the bombers did not want to harm or destroy property, but only to create terror.

Police will speed up the investigation to catch the bombers, he said.

PPP deputy leader Sampan Lertnuwat dismissed the police hypothesis that the bomb that went off at the party's office was without lethal intention.

Yuranant Pamornmontri, PPP candidate for Bangkok, said he had no conflicts either business or personal with anyone that could invite the attack. He did not need to invent a situation for political reasons because he enjoys strong support from constituents.

He called on anyone witnessing the attack or holding evidence to come forward so that the crooks could be arrested.

Internal Security Operations Command spokesman Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng said witnesses saw two men throw a bomb into the party's Lat Phrao branch and it released thick green smoke. When patrol police arrived at the scene, another bomb was thrown. The two men fled on a motorcycle without a licence plate.

Police are checking the bomb for fingerprints or DNA material and whether the bomb can be activated.

"That area at night is very isolated, so police believe the bombers did not intend to hurt anyone," he said.

He dismissed conjecture that the military were involved, saying there was no reason for them to do such a thing.

"We can believe that the incident was meant to create publicity and attract public attention because it's close to election day," he said.

The Nation