2nd LD: Bangkok blast not specifically target Chinese tourists: spokesman

Thai authorities said on Thursday that the Bangkok blast, which has left 20 people dead including 11 foreigners, did not specifically target the Chinese tourists.

"The Chinese people were not the direct target," National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) spokesman Winthai Suwaree told a press conference.

A total of seven Chinese nationals, including five from the mainland and two from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, have been confirmed killed in the explosion Monday night, according to the Chinese Embassy.

Thailand has sought help from the Interpol and relevant agencies of friendly countries with an investigation into the deadly blast, the spokesman said.

The Thai government said the bomb attack in downtown Bangkok was not likely perpetrated by a global terrorist group.

"Security agencies have come to the preliminary conclusion that the incident is unlikely to be linked to international terrorism," said spokesman Winthai.

Meanwhile, Thai police believed the deadly blast at Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist site in Bangkok, was well-planned and involved at least 10 criminals.

The bombing was probably "the work of at least 10 people with Thais involved after one month's planning," the police said in a statement.

The police have identified a suspected perpetrator and offered a reward of 1 million baht (28,100 U.S. dollars) for information leading to his capture. A sketch was released on the suspect, a foreign-looking, young man, who was wearing a yellow T-shirt and glasses. Endi