Thailand calls emergency security meeting after blast

Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Friday called an urgent meeting of security and intelligence units to discuss the country's overall situation, the Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

The meeting was held in response to a hand grenade explosion in capital Bangkok early Friday morning only days after a blast in the capital city killed one and injured another nine.

General Prawit admitted that he was worried the situation would escalate.

The explosion occurred at about 1:30 a.m. at Rangnam Road near the King Power duty-free shopping center in downtown Bangkok. A Thai male passer-by was seriously injured.

The discussion was aimed to assure the public that concerned authorities are capable of maintaining law and order, General Prawit said.

"Some people do not want peace and stability to resume, but the government is not at ease as efforts have been made to ensure public security," General Prawit said.

The Bangkok Post's website quoted Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban as saying the latest development in Bangkok refected an attempt to discredit the coalition government.

Source: Xinhua