Explosion outside national theatre under investigation

BANGKOK, May 16 (TNA) – As the police continue investigation to find out the cause of an explosion in front of the national theatre last night, Prime Minister, Gen Prayut Chan-ocha said the incident is not related to any attempt to create disturbance by any group. The prime minister gave a short comment before he presided over the meeting of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Cabinet meeting today. Deputy Prime Minister/Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon said the police investigation has not finished and they are checking the CCTV surveillance cameras. However, the intelligence report does not find any irregularities of any group to create disturbance. Meanwhile, National Security Council secretary-general Thaweep Netniyom said the explosion could be an accident but the security agencies have not yet ruled out any particular issues and the investigation cover all possibilities. Yesterday, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, inspected the site and said that according to an initial investigation, the police found neither soot nor shrapnel of any explosive device at the scene. They found broken pieces of PVC pipes, part of the billboard, which could be damaged caused by last night’s strong wind. He said the cause of the incident will be revealed after the investigation is completed. The incident occurred around 8 pm on Monday in front the national theater near Sanam Luang in Phra Nakhon district. Two women were slight injured after an explosion-like sound was heard. (TNA)