Bomb blast wounds at least 30 in central Bangkok

About 30 anti-government protesters were injured in a bomb explosion in Bangkok on January 17, the country’s The Nation newspaper reported.
About 30 anti-government protesters were injured in a bombexplosion in Bangkok on January 17, the country’s The Nationnewspaper reported.

The newspaper quoted sourcesfrom the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) assaying that an unknown assailant threw a bomb from the third floor of anearby building towards protesters marching below.

It was reported the bomb exploded just 30m from where PDRC leader SuthepThaugsuban was standing. Suthep escaped unharmed and was escorted tosafety.

The caretaker government has denied anyresponsibility for the explosion, maintaining that the protestersthemselves committed the act in a bid to trigger violence and upheaval.

Earlier, three consecutive bomb blasts also shookthe capital, injuring two people. To date, the political unrest - whicherupted last November with the opposition aiming to topple PM YingluckShinawatra’s administration - has claimed eight lives and left as manyas 481 wounded.

Meanwhile, the Thailand Election Commission iscontinuing its efforts to persuade the PM to delay the electionscheduled for February 2, arguing that it may lead to stronger unrest.

Yingluck has asserted that she is serving as caretaker premierin line with the Constitution until a new government is formed. Shestated on January 17 that the caretaker government will just play anintermediary role in drafting a roadmap for reform, calling on allparties, including the anti-government movement led by Suthep to putforward their ideas.

In a separate move, the police has setup a special taskforce to arrest Suthep on charges of incitingrebellion, with a warrant for his capture already issued. However, he isreported to be under the protection of about 40 guards, making anyarrest attempt very difficult.-VNA

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