15 suspects involve in Pattani bombing

PATTANI, May 13 (TNA) -- A total of 15 suspects are involved in the bombing of Big C Supercentre in the violence-plagued southern province of Pattani earlier this week, said Fourth Army Region Commander Lt Gen Piyawat Nakwanit on Saturday. Concerned authorities are now able to identify 12 of the total suspects, majority of them are those operating against officials in the area, said Lt Gen Piyawat. So far, two of the suspects are apprehended, while police have issued an arrest warrant on one of them - Makorseng Ma-ae, a 25-year-old native of Pattani, he said. Police are now gathering more evidence and are believed to seek a request from the court to issue more arrest warrants in the next few days, said Lt Gen Piyawat. It is believed that they are in hiding in nearby Yala and Songkhla provinces. Some of the suspects still at large have surrendered to government officials before but returned to join the insurgents later, he said, adding that from now on officials will have to monitor closely on those surrendering to officials. Tuesday’s car bombing took place on Tuesday after a pickup truck was stolen and used in the attack. Owner of the truck identified as 44-year-old Nuson Khachonkam was found dead on Thursday. A total of 61 people were wounded in the attack after the bomb exploded in front of the shopping mall. (TNA)