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Bangkok blast intended to discredit Thai gov't: police chief

Xinhua, August 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Monday's deadly bombing attack in Bangkok was aimed at discrediting the Thai government, Thai police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang said Friday.

The explosion at Erawan Shrine at Ratchaprasong intersection in downtown Bangkok, which left 20 dead and more than 120 others injured, is not believed to involve international terrorism, but aimed to create fear to scare away tourists, Somyot said.

He said that a lot of progress had been made in the investigation, without elaborating.

Somyot made the remarks after rites of five religions were held in the morning in memory of the lost lives at Ratchaprasong intersection.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, PM's Office Minister Panadda Diskul, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, as well as several other ministers and diplomats, were present at the Buddhist, Islamic, Christian, Sikh and Hindu rites, which were held amid tight security. Endi