Security personnel patrol the area around the Victory Monument following a spate of bomb threats yesterday.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday played down his earlier suggestion that those who had lost power were behind the string of deadly bomb attacks in the capital, saying it was merely an intelligence analysis.

The premier is likely to retract his words after criticism the government had jumped to conclusions in pointing to politicians in the previous administration despite no solid evidence.

He said the intelligence assumption came from analysing both the number and kind of bombs used, and the site and timing of the explosions.

"We cannot pin down exactly any group or individuals who did it. I haven't had any evidence or information," he said, adding he had to wait for the police who are still looking for evidence and forensic proof.

Surayud and junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin on Monday said people who had lost power when the Thaksin Shinawatra regime was overthrown were behind the string of bombs and not insurgents from the South.

Surayud said the culprits' aim was to create chaos and discredit government officials.

Any money trail that could lead to the culprits would be investigated by the appropriate authorities, he said.

Yesterday the Cabinet discussed Thaksin's letter from China - which insisted he had nothing to do with the bombs - and that they would not counter it, Government Spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp said.

"The government thinks they should stand back and wait for the investigation. That would be better," he said.

Junta chief Sonthi and police chief Kowit Wattana yesterday met Prime Minister Surayud to discuss the progress of the bomb investigation.

The Cabinet yesterday was locked in deep discussion over the bomb attacks. Surayud said the government must launch a public relations campaign to avoid panic and fear, a source said.

Defence Minister General Boonrawd Somtas blamed security officials for not paying attention to intelligence officials who had warned them about possible bomb attacks during the New Year, the source said.

He also blamed poor public relations on the government's part in creating public understanding about the bomb attacks, saying the media published the personal letter from Thaksin yet hardly reported any of Surayud's explanations.

"Thaksin has made the public confused about the bomb attacks," the source quoted Boonrawd as saying.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan argued this could have an adverse impact if the government tried to seek more co-operation from the media in publishing its side of the story.

"We are the appointed government but we want to give the media freedom," the source quoted Thirapat as saying.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation