Thailand authorities continue to hunt perpetrators responsible for a wave of bomb attacks last week, insisting they ‘know who was behind it.’
On late Thursday and early Friday, a coordinated series of 11 blasts struck tourist resorts across the Kingdom, including Hua Hin and Phuket.
The explosions killed four and wounded dozens, including foreign tourists.
Authorities insist it was an act of politically motivated sabotage rather than terrorism.
“Our investigation is progressing. We know who was behind it. I reaffirm that it was an act of local sabotage, not terrorism,” deputy police spokesman Piyapan Pingmuang said.
Two people have been detained in Hua Hin which was hit by four bombs.
“These acts were undertaken by a group in many areas simultaneously, following orders from one individual,” said Pongsapat Pongcharoen, national deputy police chief.
Meanwhile the tourism industry is braced for a downturn which may hamper its goal of attracting a record 32 million visitors this year.
“It’s bad for the economy, which is limping along on one leg, and now we have these incidents,” Ittirit Kinglek, the president of the Tourism Council of Thailand said.
“It will definitely have an impact on tourism, but it’s too early to estimate how it will affect tourist numbers and revenues.”
However Thai Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the industry is used to attacks and political upheaval and tourist numbers normally rebound fairly quickly.
