Thai authorities claim progress in bombing investigation

New surveillance video has surfaced offering a possible clue to the bombing in central Bangkok that killed 20 people, Thai authorities said Saturday. Col. Winthai Suvaree also said closed circuit television was used to learn the transportation route the suspected bomber took to and from the site of Monday evening’s rush-hour attack. He said that a police sketch of the suspect had been distributed to border posts. Surveillance video leaked to Thai media shows a man in a blue shirt placing a bag on a riverside walkway, then kicking it into the water on Monday night shortly after the explosion at the Erawan Shrine. About 18 hours later, at 1 p.m. Tuesday, an explosion took place at the same spot at Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, causing no casualties.

The thing he kicked in the water might just be garbage. We don’t know yet.

Police spokesman Prawuth Thawornsiri

The one suspect for whom an arrest warrant has been issued was seen leaving a backpack behind at the spot where the bomb went off at the shrine minutes after he departed. Two men who stood nearby him looked suspiciously like confederates, but made themselves known to police who have more of less cleared them of any responsibility. A woman in a black shirt also seen standing nearby is being sought. Police have released a sketch of the suspect — depicting him with eyeglasses and bushy, black hair — and offered a reward that on Friday was raised to 3 million baht ($85,000). Among the dead was 19-year-old London law student, Vivian Chan.

Asia-Pacific Bangkok shrine