Thaksin�s son gives Thai police reward for blast probe

AFP, BANGKOK: The son of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra has handed police a reward of nearly $200,000 for their investigation into the deadly Bangkok blast, after authorities declared the first suspect arrested was the bomber.
The unprecedented August attack at a shrine in a bustling shopping district killed 20 people, mostly ethnic Chinese tourists, landing a fresh blow to the nation’s image as a holiday paradise after last year’s military coup and months of street protests which preceded it.
The reward from Panthongtae Shinawatra—the first born son of populist leader Thaksin—follows Thai police rewarding their own officers some $84,000 for arresting the bombing suspect two weeks after the blast.
“My team has handed seven million baht ($192,000) to the national police headquarters to boost the spirits of officials,” Panthongtae declared in a Facebook post on Saturday.
Thailand’s national police chief Jakthip Chaikinda confirmed the money had been received, telling reporters Sunday that the sum was marked for police officers involved the investigation and those who provided tip-offs.
It was not immediately clear if any members of the public would receive a cut for tip-offs.

Thaksin�s son gives Thai police reward for blast probe

AFP, BANGKOK: The son of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra has handed police a reward of nearly $200,000 for their investigation into the deadly Bangkok blast, after authorities declared the first suspect arrested was the bomber. The unprecedented August attack at a shrine in a bustling shopping district killed 20 people, mostly ethnic Chinese tourists, landing a fresh blow to the nations image as a holiday paradise after last years military coup and months of street protests which preceded it. The reward from Panthongtae Shinawatrathe first born son of populist leader Thaksinfollows Thai police rewarding their own officers some $84,000 for arresting the bombing suspect two weeks after the blast. My team has handed seven million baht ($192,000) to the national police headquarters to boost the spirits of officials, Panthongtae declared in a Facebook post on Saturday. Thailands national police chief Jakthip Chaikinda confirmed the money had been received, telling reporters Sunday that the sum was marked for police officers involved the investigation and those who provided tip-offs. It was not immediately clear if any members of the public would receive a cut for tip-offs.