POLICE are gearing up to issue arrest warrants for two suspects on the charges of throwing a ping pong bomb at protesters at Sam Yan intersection yesterday, Sanook.com reported today (Jan. 17).
Pol. Maj. Gen. Piya Tawichai, deputy chief of Metropolitan Police, said it was initially discovered that a ping pong bomb was flung down from the Thai-Japanese Friendship Bridge on Rama 4 Road.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit and forensic police reported that this was a potent ping pong bomb that was to explode upon hitting a hard surface. It is of the type that vocational and technical school students use during their clashes. It can cause serious injury to vital organs of those nearby and even lead to death to those very close to it.
Four persons, a Chamchuri Square worker, a journalist and two policemen, were injured by this blast outside Chamchuri Square after the protesters had started dispersing from Samyan Mitrtown complex nearby with this following an pro-democracy activity near Victory Monument earlier in the day.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Yingyot Thepchamnong, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, said the gatherings at Phaya Thai island near Victory Monument and at Sam Yan intersection yesterday violated the Emergency Decree and Communicable Diseases Act. Police have to take legal action because if they do not it would be omission of duty.
Initially two suspects were arrested at the gathering at Victory Monument and they are Mr. Baiboon (surname withheld), 20, and Mr. Panupong (surname withheld), 20.
Four others were arrested in front of Samyan Mitrtown complex and they are Mr. Sathaporn (surname withheld), 27, Mr. Abhisit (surname withheld), 40, Mr. Krisana Sara (surname withheld), 49, and Mrs. Jarunee (surname withheld), 52.
CAPTION:
Top: Smoke billows from the ping pong bomb blast yesterday. Thai headline says, “getting ready to issue arrest warrants for Samyan bombers.” Photo: Sanook.com
