Regional News
Red Shirts Accuse Thai Junta of Exploiting Bombings for Political Means
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BANGKOK – The United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, popularly known as the Red Shirts, critics of Thailand’s military government have accused it of exploiting a spate of deadly bombings and arson attacks to crack down on its opponents.
Pol Maj Gen Wanchai Ekkapornpitch, the Nakhon Si Thammarat police chief, confirmed the arrest and identified the suspect as Sakarin Karuehas, the Daily News online reported.
Authorities had sufficient evidence to charge him but he denied all allegations, he added.
Mr Sakarin was the second person to be apprehended in the wake of the violent incidents that killed four people and injured 37 on Thursday and Friday.
Red Shird Political activist Prapas Rojanapitak was arrested in Trang earlier for questioning in connection with arson attacks in the southern province.
The United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, issued their criticism Sunday as Thai authorities said they were keeping security high after attacks Thursday and Friday killed four people and wounded dozens in seven tourist destinations.
Reports by Thai PBS television and other media said at least three people identified as Red Shirt leaders or supporters have been detained at army camps, apparently for questioning in connection with the attacks.
Officials have hinted that political opponents of the junta were responsible for the attacks, but Thai and foreign terrorism experts suggest they were carried out by Muslim separatists from southern Thailand.
The Associated Press