Bangkok bomb: Thai police arrest man over Erawan blast
Police in Bangkok say they have arrested a man in connection with a bomb that killed 20 people in the Thai capital nearly two weeks ago.
The man, a foreigner, was arrested in Nong Jok on the outskirts of Bangkok, a police spokesman said.
Bomb-making materials were found at the apartment along with 10 passports, said the spokesman, Prawut Thavornsiri.
The bomb tore through the crowded Erawan Shrine on 17 August injuring more than 100, mostly tourists.
Police found bomb making materials such as detonators and a metal pipe with lids, Mr Thavornsiri said in a televised statement.
He said the 28-year-old man is not believed to have been the bomber but is suspected of involvement in the attack.
'Bomb-making materials'
Deputy national police chief General Chaktip Chaijinda confirmed in a live TV broadcast that police had "detained one person".
"We have found components of bomb-making materials in his apartment and I am confident that he is likely involved with the bomb attack," he said.
Police had been searching for a prime suspect who was seen on CCTV footage leaving a backpack at the shrine shortly before the blast, which injured more than 100, mostly tourists.
A photofit image was released showing the suspect with dark hair and glasses.
General Chaktip said it was "not yet clear" whether the man arrested on Saturday is the same as the man in the CCTV images.
"We found dozens of passports inside his room. We have to check which nationalities they belong to," he said in the broadcast.
Police said at the time they suspected the attack had been planned a month or more in advance and involved at least 10 people, but said a connection to international terrorism was unlikely.
A reward of one million baht ($28,000; £17,950) was offered for information but it is not known whether this played a part in Saturday's arrest.
The shrine is a popular destination for Chinese and Thai tourists.
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