Sporadic attacks worry army chief
Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha is worried that an armed group might be behind sporadic attacks launched during the anti-government protests in Bangkok.
Soldiers are deployed on a skywalk which connects to Phloenchit BTS station following attacks close to nearby anti-government rally venues.
Deputy army spokesman Winthai Suwaree said Gen Prayuth is worried about the security situation near rally sites.
On Tuesday, two people were injured in a bomb and gun attack near the Chalerm La 56 bridge around midnight. It is close to the Pathumwan intersection rally site.
Soon after, a bomb attack occurred at the housing compound of Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
A bus taking protesters from the South to a rally site at Nang Loeng was also set on fire early Wednesday.
Gen Prayuth urged all sides in the conflict to exercise restraint, the spokesman said. Resorting to violence to end the political standoff would only fuel hatred. "This is very dangerous for the country," the deputy spokesman said.
The army has sent soldiers to help police and the protesters conduct security patrols, and appointed military medical units to be on standby at rally venues.
More violence took place on Thursday.
An explosive device, which police suspect to be a ping pong bomb, was thrown into a house belonging to Issara Somchai, co-leader of the anti-government Peoples Democratic Reform Committee, in Laksi district.
No one was injured. A motorcycle and a van were slightly damaged.
Mr Issara, who was not home, said he believed the attack was politically motivated and intended to take his life.
Meanwhile, giant fire crackers were heard along Rama V Road on Thursday near the rally site of the anti-government Network of Students and People for the Reform of Thailand (NSPRT).
NSPRT guards later found a man they thought may be responsible for the disturbance.
The man insisted he knew nothing about any explosion and said he was catching fish in the area.
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