Police identify 12 of 15 perpetrators of attack on Pattani Big C Supercenter

>> Fifteen people were implicated in Tuesday’s twin bomb attacks at Big C Supercenter in Pattani and they are likely to face arrest warrants soon, according to the authorities.

Police have so far issued one arrest warrant in relation to the blasts. The suspect was identified as Makoseng Ma-ae, 25.

Another two have been held for questioning. They were identified as Suhaiming Sama-ae and Sama-ae Mama, according to Fourth Army commander Piyawat Nakwanich.

Police are gathering evidence to seek court approval for their arrest warrants within four or five days, he said, adding he was informed that the perpetrators were hiding in areas between Yala and Songkhla.

Some of the suspects had taken part in the state-run “Bring People Home” programme aimed at turning former militants into support personnel in the deep South, Lt Gen Piyawat said.

Pattani police chief Piyawat Chalermsri said 12 of the 15 perpetrators have been identified and efforts are being made to get the names and addresses of the rest. Warrants for their arrest could be sought with the court soon, he said, adding the investigation has made much progress.

Meanwhile, more than 50 army and police officers raided a house in Moo 1 of tambon Don Rak in Pattani’s Nong Chik district yesterday morning after one of the detained suspects told officers the pickup truck used to make a car bomb that exploded at the superstore was fitted with explosives there.

Four teenagers were found in the house and taken for questioning. One of them, the owner of the house, said he was not at home when the vehicle was parked there.

A suspect was also taken to the house to guide police to the area where the pickup was fitted with explosives.

Pol Maj Gen Piyawat said the suspect gave useful information related to the case, adding several other spots linked to the case were also mentioned and work is under way to check them.

Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr said officials will toughen security measures in the deep South and all agencies will work together to fix the mistake.

He also urged the public to be vigilant about suspicious activities.

Referring to one suspect who was found to have undergone the “Bring People Home” programme, Gen Udomdej said a forward command centre in the deep South, manned by cabinet ministers, will convene this Wednesday to lay out measures to screen people who are to join the scheme.

Isoc spokesman Col Peerawat Saengthong yesterday vouched for the programme, saying it gives opportunities for former militants to become good people in society.

Graduates who cannot change their behaviour must be dealt with in line with the law. He said Isoc would step up efforts to screen those who want to join the programme to filter insurgents who may seek to exploit this channel.

Wichianchoke Petchpakdee, director of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre’s assistance and alleviation office, said yesterday the bomb attacks at the Big C Supercenter injured 80 in total, including 20 who remained hospitalised.

Up to 60 million baht is expected to be given to the victims for medical treatment and other expenses, he said.

Gen Aksara Kerdphol, who leads the negotiating team in the peace talks with Mara Patani, an umbrella organisation of insurgent groups, insisted the talks will go ahead despite the attacks. Permanent secretary for justice Chanchao Chaiyanukit will be invited to discuss measures on the safety zone in the far South.