Man, 55, held for planting six bombs in Bangkok

Police arrested a 55yearold man at 3am yesterday for allegedly planting six homemade bombs at three spots in Bangkok.

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The suspect, Jeerawat Janpeng, was paraded before reporters at the Metropolitan Police Bureau but he didn't answer any question. When pressed by reporters, Jeerawat just smiled and lowered his eyes. "I will speak only in the court," he explained.

Sitting next to the suspect at the press conference were Deputy Pm Chalerm Yoobamrung and Metropolitan Police Commissioner General Priewpan Damapong.

Chalerm provided the data on the case and answered the majority of the questions in the press conference.

Chalerm said the suspect, a goat raiser, originated from Sakon Nakhon and was remaining in Bangkok's Lak Si district.

The deputy PM alleged that Jeerawat placed six homemade bombs at three spots. One bomb was placed at the Bangkok Bank building, Sukhumvit 77 branch. The bomb was said to be detonated having a handheld remote control. Two other bombs were stuffed inside a PVC pipe and left in the mouth of Soi Kanchanapisek 89. These were found with a timer.

Chalerm said three other bombs were inside PVC pipes and placed under Nong Preu Bridge, Lat Krabang. They too were found with a timer.

The deputy pm did not say the way the man had obtained the homemade bombs.

Police safely discarded each one of these bombs. There is no casualty.

Jeerawat continues to be faced with unauthorised use/possession of explosives. If convicted, he faces a jail term of 2 yrs up. The utmost penalty is life imprisonment.

When reporters directed many questions in the suspect, Chalerm cut short the press conference. Chalerm said he'd ended the press conference because Priewpan was very sleepy.

Chalerm concluded the big event by stating that Bangkok residents could now celebrate the brand new Year without worrying about bomb attacks.

The press conference lasted for just 20 minutes.

According to Chalerm, it was Priewpan who informed him of the arrest.

"I've told you that he works well. But many of you claimed that I supported his promotion towards the helm from the police force because he's a relative of Khunying [Pojaman na Pombejra]," Chalerm said.

The deputy prime minister said he and the government were lucky to have Priewpan working for them.

Priewpan said the circuit of the bomb available at Bangkok Bank's Sukhumvit 77 branch looked like that of the bomb found in front of Government Lottery Office earlier this month.

Asked how the suspect was arrested so easily this time, Chalerm said, "Police found him when he was on his method to plant the bomb."

Chalerm said police believed he had accomplices but needed to gather evidence first.

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Responding to the arrest, Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva urged the government to research the case further and provide clarity.

"I wonder who will want to awaken the situation at the moment," he said.