Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand’s military-backed government named supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thak sin Shinawatra on Monday as unofficial prime suspects in New Year’s Eve bombings that killed three people and wounded 38 in the capital.
Nine foreigners were among the wounded after nine small bombs exploded across the Bang kok area Sunday night. The attacks caused city authorities to shut down large-scale celebrations and raised concerns about Thailand’s stability, shaky economy and thriving tourism industry.
The bombings capped a year of unrest in Thailand, including a military coup three months ago and an increasingly violent Muslim insurgency in the south.
Nobody has claimed responsibility for the bombings, but the government is focusing on supporters of the former regime – though it has presented no proof.
A bloodless coup against Thaksin on Sept. 19 was the culmination of months of tensions, as a popular movement staged protests demanding he step down for alleged corruption and abuse of power.
Despite the takeover by the military, which installed an interim civilian government, political calm has not been restored and the coup leaders accuse Thaksin’s supporters of trying to stir unrest.
Thaksin, who has been barred from the country since the coup, said through his lawyer he had nothing to do with the bombings. He condemned the attacks.
The wounded foreigners were four Hungarians, three Serbians and two British citizens.
