POLITICAL TURMOIL
Bomb blasts at Gen Prem's residence : updated
A powerful bomb exploded at a police booth in front of the residence of Privy Council's chief Gen Prem Tinsulanonda Thursday afternoon, injuring two foreign nationals, police said.
The powerful explosion took place about 2.05 pm. Shrapnels damaged three parked car several metres away on the opposite side of the four-lane road.
It was reported that Gen Prem was in his residence when the bomb exploded. Defence Minister Gen Thammarak Israngura who visited the scene quoted Prem as wondering why somebody wanted to bomb his residence.
"It is likely that the culprits want to increase tension in the country and chose Gen Prem's residence because the incident will surely be publicised," he said.
This type of explosion is similar to the recent bombing incidents that took place at the Interior Ministry and Santi Asoke Foundation, he said. The foundation is one of the key component within the anti-government coalition that has been demanding for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's unconditional resignation.
Police immediately cordoned off the area to collect the evidence. When the blast went off, there was no police in the booth. Initial investigation identified the injured as a Briton and a Canadian who were passing the house at the time of the incident.
A spokesman of Vajira Hospital identified the Briton as Jeffeny King, 28, and Merry Ruszell, a Canadian, 55. King was injured by shrapnels in his torso and both legs, while Ruszell at his arms.
Police said the bomb was placed under a marble bench next to the unmanned police booth. The blast destroyed the bench and shattered window glass of the booth. The explosion damaged three cars parked nearby and opposite side of the road.
Police said a homeless man claimed he was at the scene when the explosion happened. He said he saw a man, aged about 20, with a scar on his neck, went into the booth. That man left the booth about five minutes before the blast.
Thaksin, who is currently on the election campaign tour in Chanthaburi, declined to comment, saying he has yet to received official report on the incident but stated that he believe that someone was trying to create tension.
He said police would try to find out the masterminds of the bomb and bring them to justice.
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