Security heightened in Thailand after Bangkok mall blast

Thai authorities on Monday ordered reinforced security measures nationwide in the wake of a bomb explosion near a shopping mall in downtown Bangkok on Sunday evening.

Stepped-up security measures could cause some inconvenience to the people, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said, adding the authorities have found traces that might help lead to the arrest of the suspects of the blast in front of Siam Paragon shopping center.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha condemned the attack, which reportedly left one man injured, and ordered quick arrest of the culprits. He also urged the public to watch out for signs of untoward incidents.

The government has no plan to lift the martial law, as it is needed to control the situation, according to the premier who was visiting northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province amid tight security.

It remains unclear whether the explosion of two bombs was politically motivated, and the police are examining footage from security cameras for clues to find the attackers, police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri said.

Police have concluded that the bombs were designed to create panic rather than kill people, Prawut added.

The authorities would try to find out if the explosion was connected with people who had threatened to use violence against the government, Prayut said. Endi