Thailand steps up security in Bangkok after bomb blasts at luxury mall
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Thailand has stepped up security in Bangkok after two small bombs exploded at a luxury mall in the capital overnight on Sunday.
This could be the beginning of signs of resentment that will eventually take various forms.
Two people suffered minor injuries. Though no one has claimed responsibility, the circumstances lead police to believe the motive was to create panic rather than take lives.
National Police Chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said, “From the location and material of the bombs, they were not designed to injure or kill anyone. They were designed for threatening and creating chaos.”
The blasts were the first to hit the capital living under martial law since a military coup in May.
“In my opinion, this could be the beginning of signs of resentment that will eventually take various forms,” said one Bangkok resident.
2 blasts. One big one smaller. Huge smoke. Picture taken 5 seconds after the blast – RT FrisoPee</a> <a href="http://t.co/Jqvj0NLwWK">pic.twitter.com/Jqvj0NLwWK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangkok?src=hash">#Bangkok</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Thailand?src=hash">#Thailand</a></p>— Richard Barrow (RichardBarrow) February 1, 2015
トランスが爆発した割には、RT 191Thailand</a>: Photos of damage to BTS Siam after explosion. Transformer or bomb? - RT <a href="https://twitter.com/Mekza">Mekzapic.twitter.com/mPNn9Zw07V#Bangkok
— Khonthaileew (@khonthaileew) February 2, 2015Tensions have been running especially high since last month when the army approved parliament banned former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from politics for five years.
The decision angered her supporters, but so far there has been no return to the often violent street protests witnessed last year. After the latest blasts it’s unlikely martial law will be lifted anytime soon, despite international pressure to lift the measure.