Police obtained arrest warrants for two more suspects in the Erawan shrine bombing, a man and a woman, and then released sketches of them in a nationwide live telecast on Monday.
Police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri said one arrest warrant was for Wanna Suansant, 26, who rented a room at Maimuna Garden Home, an apartment building in Bangkok's Min Buri district. The woman was earlier identified only as "Misaloh".
When police searched the room on Sunday they found urea-based fertiliser, a radio-controlled toy vehicle of which components could be used to detonate a bomb remotely, bolts that could be used as shrapnel, and decorative lights that could be used for ignition.
The second arrest warrant is for an unidentified man of unknown nationality, he said.
A police source said travel records showed Ms Wanna had left Thailand for Dubai on July 1 but there was no evidence she had returned.
“But the investigation team didn't believe that Ms Wanna is now in another country. Officers had asked people in the apartment building and were told they saw her and the other suspect in the police sketch entering and leaving the building during Aug 10-20,” the source said.
Police also found her husband had Turkish nationality, the source added. (continued below)
The images released by the police are shown during the live broadcast at noon on Monday.
Pol Maj Gen Prawut said they are asking the owners of the apartments frequented by foreigners to keep a close watch on their properties and report immediately anyone of similar appearance or who is behaving in a suspicious manner.
The two new arrest warrants raised to four the number of people now wanted under warrant for involvement in the Erawan shrine bombing on Aug 17 that killed 20 people and injured 131 and the bomb explosion at Sathorn pier the following day. One foreigner, whose identitity and nationality have still not been confirmed, was arrested with bomb-making materials at an apartment in Nong Chok, Min Buri, on Saturday. The three others, including the prime suspect, remain at large.
Items seized from the woman's apartment room were shown on the televised noon police briefing.
Images of items seized from the woman's room.
National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) spokesman Col Winthai Suvaree said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon emphasised that the police should show caution in investigating the case, and information gathered should be used to help develop effective preventive measures against any future attacks.
The case was still open and no possible clues were being ignored. Investigators wanted solid evidence and witnesses, coupled with forensic results, to ensure a clear and tight case.
The media were also asked to be more cautious in presenting news related to the investigation, to prevent public confusion. The media should refrain from unfounded assumptions, and from criticism, as the issues were sensitive and might impact national security or international relations.
