BANGKOK
Thai police Monday described the explosives used in twin bomb blasts targeting a luxury shopping mall in capital Bangkok as homemade.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Police Chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said the explosions Sunday night, which left a man slightly wounded, were caused by “homemade devices that were readily available.”
Somyot added that police were checking security footage in an ongoing investigation and were not prepared to comment on the possible assailants and their motive.
Two timed bombs were detonated at 8 p.m. (1300GMT) Sunday in front of Siam Paragon Shopping mall in downtown Bangkok, during a peak time for entertainment in the popular area.
Police had initially said the blasts were caused by a billboard’s power transformer exploding but later said bombs were discovered planted behind the electrical device.
Lt. Gen. Prawut Thawornsiri, police spokesman, said the bombs "were not intended to kill," with the motive behind the attack likely being to cause panic.
He refused to provide any details about the devices but denied reports that they contained nails.
Junta chief and Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered that security measures at public places be increased in the wake of the attack.
"We have to find out who were responsible for the bombs and whether they had a connection with any political group. Police are working on this," he told reporters.
Responding to a question of whether the bombers had sought to stir unrest and discredit the government, Prayuth said, "You already know this. Why even ask?"
Bangkok has been under a state of martial law since the military took power in a May 22 coup.
Under its provisions, legal protests and gatherings have been banned, with the military using arbitrary arrests and military courts to maintain order.
Earlier on Sunday, an adviser to the National Council for Peace and Order -- the junta's official name -- denied reports of the military regime considering a proposal to bring an end to martial law, according to the Bangkok Post.
The blasts came at a time of heightened political tensions in Thailand following the impeachment of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Jan. 23.
