Foreign terrorist groups' role unlikely in temple blast: Thai junta spokesman

Bangkok: Thailand junta spokesman on Thursday said the attack at a popular temple here that killed 20 people was "unlikely" to have links with international terrorist groups, as it sought help from global intelligence agencies to arrest the three suspects believed to be part of a 10-member network.

"The security agencies have collaborated with intelligence agencies from a lot of countries and have come to the same preliminary conclusion that the incident is unlikely to be linked to international terrorism," Thai junta spokesman Col. Winthai Suvaree told reporters.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack at the Erawan Brahma temple, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok, that killed 20 people, including five Chinese, and injured more than 100 others on Monday night.

Col. Winthai said Thai security agencies were in close touch with other countries. He said the preliminary investigation into the attack showed that the Chinese people were not the target because other nationalities too were hurt.

Nationals from Hong Kong, the UK, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore were also among the foreigners killed in the attack. Thai police last evening released a sketch of a young bespectacled "foreign man" who carried out the bombing and is believed to be part of a 10-member network.

Authorities also announced a reward of 1 million baht (USD 28,000) for information leading to his arrest.

Police said that at least 10 people are suspected of involvement in the blast, described as the country's "worst ever attack".

"We have not yet received any feedback from Interpol, but they are trying to help. Every country is trying to help," a police official said.

The sketch shows a young man in black-rimmed eyeglasses with bushy, dark hair and a light complexion. The warrant issued by Bangkok's Southern Criminal Court describes him as tall, with a pointed nose and thick lips.

The sketch of the suspect is based on the CCTV footage and a description provided by a motorcycle taxi driver who is believed to have given him a ride on Monday night.

The Brahma temple was reopened on Wednesday for worshipers and tourists two days after the blasts.