Thai police issue arrest warrant for bomb suspect

Published 7:23 am Wednesday, August 19, 2015

BANGKOK — Police in Thailand issued an arrest warrant on Wednesday for an “unidentified foreign man” shown in a security video leaving behind a backpack just minutes before a deadly bombing at a Bangkok shrine, but acknowledged they’re not sure he’s from another country.

Police also released a sketch of the suspect and offered a 1 million baht ($28,000) reward for help leading to the arrest of the man they believe carried out Monday’s bombing, which left 20 people dead and more than 120 injured. Authorities have called it the worst attack in Thai history.

But apart from the rough portrait that shows a young man with dark, bushy hair and eyeglasses, authorities have few solid leads.

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National police spokesman Lt. Gen. Prawut Thavornsiri expressed uncertainty at a news conference about the man’s origin. He said the suspect “looks like a foreigner” but “might have been in a disguise and wearing a fake nose” to conceal his identity.

Prawut said the security video appears to show two possible accomplices standing in front of the man who are also considered suspects.