Bomb suspect part of people smuggling gang: Thai police

AFP, BANGKOK: Thai police said yesterday a foreigner arrested in connection with the deadly Bangkok bombing was part of a people-smuggling gang who may have launched an attack in response to a crackdown on their trade.
The unidentified foreigner, who is being held in military custody at an undisclosed location, was seized during a Saturday morning raid on a flat on the eastern outskirts of Bangkok.
Investigators say he was found with bomb-making equipment and dozens of fake passports.
National police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said officers believed the suspect was part of a crime group who helped illegal migrants obtain counterfeit documents—and that the bomb attack was retaliation for a recent crackdown by Thai authorities.
“They (the gang) are unsatisfied with police arresting illegal entrants,” he told Channel 3 in a telephone interview without elaborating how investigators knew this.
“It’s a network that fakes nationalities and sends them (illegal migrants) on to third countries,” he added.

Bomb suspect part of people smuggling gang: Thai police

AFP, BANGKOK: Thai police said yesterday a foreigner arrested in connection with the deadly Bangkok bombing was part of a people-smuggling gang who may have launched an attack in response to a crackdown on their trade. The unidentified foreigner, who is being held in military custody at an undisclosed location, was seized during a Saturday morning raid on a flat on the eastern outskirts of Bangkok. Investigators say he was found with bomb-making equipment and dozens of fake passports. National police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said officers believed the suspect was part of a crime group who helped illegal migrants obtain counterfeit documentsand that the bomb attack was retaliation for a recent crackdown by Thai authorities. They (the gang) are unsatisfied with police arresting illegal entrants, he told Channel 3 in a telephone interview without elaborating how investigators knew this. Its a network that fakes nationalities and sends them (illegal migrants) on to third countries, he added.