Progress made in Bangkok blast probe: spokesman

Investigation into two earlier bomb attacks in Bangkok, one of which resulted in 20 fatalities, is making progress, with more evidence obtained, a government spokesman said on Sunday.

The overall situation is peaceful in the wake of the two blasts, one of which occurred at Erawan Shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection on Monday and the other at the Sathorn pier on the following day, said Winthai Suwaree, spokesman of the National Council of Peace and Order. The second blast caused no death or injury.

The progress will be disclosed to the public when deemed appropriate, the spokesman added.

Two people who had posted misleading information on social media have been arrested, said Winthai.

The Thai authorities have paid compensation to the relatives of 16 victims of the Erawan blast, including 14 foreigners and two Thais, he said, adding that compensations for more will be made.

With four more people injured in the Erawan blast discharged from hospital, 52 others are still being hospitalized, Winthai said.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has compensated nine of the injured, he added.

In a related development, the police are reportedly searching for a suspect in the Sathorn pier bombing, who, according to security camera footage, kicked a package into the water one day before the explosion. Endi