Thai police expects 'good news' soon, says deputy police chief

BANGKOK: Thai Police are expecting "good news" soon in their investigation into a series of bombing and arson attacks in southern provinces yesterday and a day before which left four people and 35 others including 10 foreign tourists injured.
Deputy police chief Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen said, the investigation team are still gathering evidence on the incident and arrest warrants will be issued once investigations are complete.
"The Region 8 Police informed that they will have good news in one or two days about the suspect in some areas, as the authorities are still gathering evidences and once they complete it, they will issue an arrest warrant later."
"The authorities believe the suspects are still inside Thailand," he told the media at the Royal Thai Police today, as efforts by the authorities to hunt down the culprit behind the violence went into overdrive.
Pongsapat also confirmed the authorities had yet to make an arrest over the incidents as speculations among the local media alleged two people have been taken in as part of the investigation.
He said, those taken in by the authorities for interrogation have only served as witnesses.
The deputy police chief also said, public and holidaymakers should not panic over the situation as the security forces including the police and army have beefed up security on all public and tourist areas.
"No violent incident happened last night and today," said Pongsapat.
He also said, based on the latest intelligence information, there was no indication that Thailand will face another round of bomb and arson attacks as what had happened in recent days.
Bomb and arson attacks struck various location in several southern Thai provinces including the tourism hubs of Phuket, Krabi and Hua Hin, during public holiday period in Thailand.
Yesterday was a public holiday in the country in conjuction with Queen Sirikit's 84th birthday.
Tourism plays an important role in Thailand's economy as the sector which projected to receive 30 million foreign tourist this year, contributed about 10% to the country's Gross Domestic Products (GDP) annually. — Bernama