Two arrested for spreading false information about Bangkok blast

Thai police have arrested two people in connection with spreading misleading information about the bomb attack at Erawan Shrine in Bangkok on August 17 that killed at least 20 people.

Spokesperson of the National Council for Peace and Order Colonel Winthai Suvaree said on August 23 that a student who posted a bomb threat on Facebook was arrested on August 22 in Ayutthaya city and was charged with a computer crime.

The computer crime charge is punishable by up to five years in jail and a fine of 100,000 baht (2,800 USD). However, Winthai gave no details of the second arrest, except to say it happened in Bangkok.

He said the two people were arrested for spreading “false information causing confusion in society”.

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

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

Also on August 23, the Thai authorities called for more efforts to search for the bomber in the context that Thai national police chief Somyot Poompanmoungyot has admitted the force lacks modern equipment that could help them identify the first suspect captured on security cameras.

The same day, Thai Government Spokesperson Sansern Kaewkamnerd assured Thai residents and foreigners in the country that the situation is under control and there will be reinforcement of both uniformed and plain clothes officers providing security in every spot to ensure optimum safety.

In a related development, the police are reportedly searching for a suspect in the Sathorn pier bombing on August 18, who, according to security camera footage, kicked a package into the water.-VNA