Another pipe bomb found in Bangkok

Another pipe bomb was found at Bangkok's Huai Kwang district here, a week after a powerful pipe bomb packed with nails exploded at the military-run Pramongkutklao Hospital here, injuring 21 people.

In an immediate response, National Police Chief Gen Chaktip Chaijinda said Tuesday's discovery of a pipe bomb indicated and the perpetrators wanted to sow chaos among the public and discredit the police.

"The bomb appeared similar to those used in previous cases in Minburi and Ratchaprasong," he told the media Tuesday.

He said the authorities needed more time to conduct further analysis on the pipe bomb and its components.

As this was the fourth pipe bomb found by the authorities in recent months, the police chief instructed his men to boost security measures to safeguard the people's safety.

In the 2pm local time incident, the police's Explosive, Ordnance and Disposal (EOD) team was sent to the location where the pipe bomb was found and immediately cordoned the areas before taking the explosive device away for further analysis.

In another incident about 30 minutes after the discovery of the pipe bomb at the Huai Kwang district, the police EOD team was deployed at the Rama 2 area in the capital city following a report on the existence of a suspicious box.

The police conducted a 'control explosion' on the suspicious box and found it to be empty.

Prior to the bombing incident at the Pramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok has been rocked by two other pipe-bomb blasts near the Government Lottery Building in Ratchadamnoen Road which left two people injured on April 5, and the National Theatre Building in Sanam Luang in the middle of this month.

The blast at the National Theatre Building also saw two people injured.

The bombing at the military-run hospital has prompted the government to step up security measures, with the authorities bringing in more troops and policemen to guard government buildings and public places.

-- BERNAMA