People responsible for the latest grenade attack on NBT on Tuesday may have links to those behind similar attacks on the People's Alliance for Democracy during their protests, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.
"I theorise that they are the same group of people, based on their similar behaviour," he said, without explaining or providing any evidence for the claim.
Asked by reporters if his theory could be wrong, he said: "That's fine. You, the press, ask and I answer. If my theory is wrong we'll come back to this matter again. Let's catch the suspects first, and the facts will be known."
Suthep dubbed the attackers of the NBT as maniacs and called on the public to condemn them and the attack. "The country is going forward along a reconciliatory path but these maniacs are venting their personal anger toward the country and spoiling the good atmosphere," he added.
He said security had been ordered around offices of independent and government media members, and police could now cope with current situations without reinforcement from soldiers.
Suthep said he had not heard about US trajectory experts helping with the investigation into the M79 attack on the NBT, as cited by Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Santha Chayanont in news reports.
Pol Lt-General Santhan said political landmarks and locations at risk of attack in Bangkok were now under protection by local police and more checkpoints were operational around the clock.
Police said security camera footage covering the NBT and attack site showed no sign of attackers or any clue leading to their identities and operation. Since footage from cameras installed on the tollway did not show the attackers, they could have fired the lone grenade at the NBT compound from across the Vibhavadi-Rangsit highway.