Thai investigators ‘know who was behind’ bomb attacks
Thailand authorities continue to hunt perpetrators responsible for a wave of bomb attacks last week, insisting they ‘know who was behind it.’
On late Thursday and early Friday, a coordinated series of 11 blasts struck tourist resorts across the Kingdom, including Hua Hin and Phuket.
The explosions killed four and wounded dozens, including foreign tourists.
Authorities insist it was an act of politically motivated sabotage rather than terrorism.
“Our investigation is progressing. We know who was behind it. I reaffirm that it was an act of local sabotage, not terrorism,” deputy police spokesman Piyapan Pingmuang said.
Two people have been detained in Hua Hin which was hit by four bombs.
“These acts were undertaken by a group in many areas simultaneously, following orders from one individual,” said Pongsapat Pongcharoen, national deputy police chief.
Meanwhile the tourism industry is braced for a downturn which may hamper its goal of attracting a record 32 million visitors this year.
“It’s bad for the economy, which is limping along on one leg, and now we have these incidents,” Ittirit Kinglek, the president of the Tourism Council of Thailand said.
“It will definitely have an impact on tourism, but it’s too early to estimate how it will affect tourist numbers and revenues.”
However Thai Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the industry is used to attacks and political upheaval and tourist numbers normally rebound fairly quickly.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports