An intense 15-day security operation in Bangkok, beginning today, in response to the frequent bomb-related incidents should be effective enough to prevent further violence, police chief Pol General Wichean Potephosree said yesterday.
"There should be nothing serious for the public to worry about after police have stepped up security measures. This will also mean police working harder and staying one step ahead of the attackers," he said.
Police released a list of 467 locations that are under close watch for possible terror attacks, including 164 under "special attention". The list mostly names offices of the media, homes of important people and political figures on both the government and opposition side, train terminals and fuel depots.
The ranking of media premises on the list was based on their stance towards former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The Nation is 66th on the list while Thai Rath, Daily News, and Naew Na rank 153, 154 and 155, respectively.
A joint security operation of the military and the Department of Special Investigation has been launched after a series of analyses and forecasts by intelligence agencies of regular bomb attacks and related incidents.
The DSI is now authorised to seek logistical support and help from troops in situations that are beyond the hands of police, DSI secretary-general Tharit Phengdit said yesterday.
Extra security has been posted around Parliament on a special request from Speaker Chai Chidchob, who said the measures were in place despite his comment that Parliament should not be a target for terror attacks.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the state of emergency could possibly be lifted in certain provinces by tomorrow, following a recommendation by the government's Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation.
Asked to comment on a police report that five to six politicians were behind the bomb-related incidents, he said the Cabinet was not directly briefed about the matter. He vowed to take action against anyone found involved and implicated by evidence.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan would take over the CRES director position from him while he was deactivated temporarily to run in a by-election in his home province of Surat Thani. He also declined to give interviews or speak publicly until after election day on October 30, to avoid violating electoral laws.
Meanwhile, a hoax motorcycle bomb was found yesterday near a police box near Khae Rai intersection in Nonthaburi province. The brown Yamaha RX-Z with an Ayutthaya licence plate had a plastic bottle full of petrol as well as wiring connected to a briefcase.
Bomb-disposal officers opened the briefcase and found it contained hand tools and sparkplugs. The officers said it was a set-up meant to be a bomb scare. The incident resulted in heavy traffic congestion after a few lanes of all nearby roads were closed.
Meanwhile, after the surrender and confession of a suspect involved in the weapons theft from an Army depot in Lop Buri, police found 13 rocket-propelled grenades in a pond off a main highway in neighbouring Saraburi province.
Sgt-Major Prawit Cherngkheeree, who serves with the Army's Weapon Production Centre based in Lop Buri, located the rockets for police divers to retrieve. They have the same serial numbers as those reported stolen from the Army's Ordnance Department storage.
Now, 29 of the 39 stolen rockets have been retrieved, with 10 still missing. Yesterday's discovery of the 13 rockets contradicted earlier statements by the government and security agencies that all 39 had been delivered to Burma's Wa militants.