Man arrested over deadly Thai bombing is Turkish national: Police

AFP , Saturday 29 Aug 2015

Bangkok
The body of a victim covered with a sheet is seen as security forces and emergency workers gather at the scene of the blast in central Bangkok August 17, 2015 (Reuters)

Thai authorities said on Saturday that a Turkish foreigner arrested in connection with the deadly Bangkok bombing was found in possession of illegal explosives and a number of passports.

Police spokesman Prawuth Thavornsiri said in a televised statement that police also found bomb making materials such as detonators and a metal pipe with lids, apparently meant to be used as a bomb.

He said that all this was found from the 28-year-old man's apartment in the outskirts of Bangkok. The apartment was raided on Saturday by the police and the military who had been searching the area since morning.

He said several passports were found in the apartment but did not say from which country.

Prawuth said the suspect is most likely related to the Aug. 17 bombing of the Erawan shrine in central Bangkok which left 20 people dead, including several foreigners, and more than 120 people injured. A day later another bomb exploded in the Sathorn area of Bangkok but did not cause any injuries.

He said the suspect is being held by the military for interrogation.

He said "from our preliminary checks, he is related to both bombings ... We believe he is a culprit in the same network."

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