More guns, plus bombs, grenades found at temple, Rajprasong area
A large amount of weapons found after the Army dispersed red-shirt protesters from their protest in central Bangkok were shown at a press conference by the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) yesterday that was also attended by diplomats and military attachés from 51 countries.
The display also included Army and police weapons seized by United Front for Democracy against Dictator-ship (UDD) protesters during the clashes.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said at conference during the red-shirt rally there were some terrorists who used weapons to hurt officials, rescue workers, journalists and others, causing many deaths and injuries, but red-shirt leaders always claimed there were no terrorists at the rally site and no weapons.
However, the truth was revealed when police and military officials inspected the site after the rally ended and found many weapons, as witnessed by members of the media, said Suthep, the CRES director. He said the government would continue to hunt culprits who had fled, who still had heavy weapons to cause more violence.
Earlier yesterday at 8.30am, another search of the compound at Wat Pathumwanaram found an AK47 rifle, 30 rounds of ammunition, a smoke bomb, a makeshift bomb, plus three knives and an axe.
Three grenades for an M67 launcher were also found by troops during a check at the protest's main stage at Rajprasong.
Police also took 14 cars parked at the temple for inspection at the CRES headquarters before returning them to owners. They included a Mercedes Benz owned by leading UDD member Kwanchai Praipana. Police also took a Nissan van and a Honda Civic to Pathumwan police station because diamonds that were allegedly stolen were found inside these vehicles.
Meanwhile, Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, director of the Justice Ministry's Central Institute of Forensic Science, said two 'car bombs' were found - one on Friday at Chalermlok Bridge and another yesterday in Ploenchit. Three other cars were found to carry gas tanks.
Porntip said nearly 1,000 samples from suspected bombs or other bits of evidence were submitted for tests to compare with DNA test results of related people.
The institute was gradually collecting DNA samples from leading UDD members, guards and supporters. Department of Special Investigation (DSI) investigators and public prosecutor would interview UDD leaders, currently detained at Phetchaburi's Naresuan boot camp, tomorrow.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) workers continued cleaning yesterday at Rajprasong intersection, the former rally site, plus Siam Square, and former sites where there were clashes - Klong Toei, Sala Daeng and Victory Monument.
Outsiders and vehicles were prohibited from the buildings that had been burnt, but owners of shops in the areas were allowed to inspect the damage on their property provided they registered their names before entering.
Some 100 ID cards and UDD memberships cards were found in sewage on a footpath by Central World opposite the Police General Hospital.
The Central World building continued to smoulder, prompting fire fighters to spray water at it yesterday morning. Nine fire fighters and 10 fire engines were there until the fire was totally out, after three days. Engineers will inspect the structure soon.
Five branches of McDonalds around Rajprasong will provide free meals to police, soldiers, fire fighters and media for three days, INN news service said.
The BMA will have 3,000 officials and volunteers to clean six areas with water and garbage trucks from 8am today, to get them ready for public use tomorrow. They are: Rajdamri Rd to Rajprasong; the Silom-Narathiwat-rajanakarin-Sathorn area; Rama IV Rd to Samyan intersection, Saphan Leung, Siam Square and Henry Dunant Rd; Wireless Rd and Sarasin-Lang Suan-Chidlom rds; Rama 4 Rd to Bon Kai, Klong Toei intersection and Channel 3; and Rajaprarop Rd from the Sri Ayuthaya intersection to Din Daeng Triangle.