Deputy Defence Minister and army chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr on Monday rejected speculation that the military was behind the Sunday’s Siam Paragon mall bombings to justify maintaining martial law.
Army chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr
"They can say whatever. But we are straightforward and have no need to fabricate things," Gen Udomdej said.
He declined to comment on whether the incident had anything to do with the impeachment of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra or was a defiant act against the ruling National Council for Peace and Order and the maintaining of martial law.
He stressed that it was too soon to determine which group or individual was behind the attack and their motives.
However, 1st Army Region commander Lt Gen Kampanart Ruddith said people who earlier had mentioned possible use of violence against the government are facing the most scrutiny by authorities.
An army source said an assessment by intelligence officials had centred on two theories behind the bombing: Discontent among influential figures or organised criminals who lost power and money due to the NCPO's crackdowns on several sectors in society; or an attempt to create a political disorder by those opposing the NCPO and the government with the help of rogue police and military officers or crime gangs.
Another theory revolves around police officers who lost their jobs in a big purge last year by national police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang, the source said, but that supposition has carried little weight.
"Under the current circumstances, the NCPO has to give more weight that [the bombs] were politically motivated, especially as a result of negative sentiment stemming from the impeachment of the ex-premier," the source said.