Thailand's prime minister warned Thursday that the upcoming anniversary of the country's 2006 military coup could inspire violence, after three unexploded bombs were found in the Bangkok area, including one outside a school and another at the Health Ministry.
The homemade bombs, hidden inside fire extinguishers, were the latest in a spate of explosions and attempted attacks that have rattled the Thai capital in recent months.
Bangkok remains under a state of emergency imposed during massive anti-government protests in April and May that took over much of the central commercial district. Ninety-one people were killed and more than 1,400 wounded, many in clashes between demonstrators and troops and police.
The demonstrators were mostly supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in the Sept. 19, 2006, coup after being accused of corruption and disrespect for the country's constitutional monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The "Red Shirt" protesters were demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thaksin's political rival, call new elections.
Abhisit said authorities will need to be extra careful in the period around the coup anniversary. He said the perpetrators of recent attacks may have been acting for political reasons, and "would certainly like to use the symbolism of the occasion."
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban voiced frustration over the authorities' apparent inability to catch suspects and stop the bomb scares, which have continued despite a highly publicized security plan announced last Friday that placed 454 high-risk spots in the capital under surveillance.
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|