The hunt for a group behind the Bangkok bombing focused Wednesday on an emerging link with Turkey as Thai police issued an arrest warrant for a Turkish national for possessing "war materials".
It is the first time the Thai authorities have revealed the nationality of a foreign suspect in the August 17 blast at a religious shrine that killed 20 people, mostly ethnic Chinese tourists.
A total of eight people are now wanted in connection with the unprecedented attack while a further two unnamed foreigners have been arrested and are in military custody.
Police named the latest suspect as Emrah Davutoglu, the husband of Thai national Wanna Suansan, the only other suspect to be publicly identified.
"He is Turkish," national police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri told reporters adding that the charge he was wanted for was "possession of war materials".
Police are now convinced a network of suspects either from Turkey or using fake passports from there are responsible for the attack.
"From our arrests, it is clear that this network sent people to that country," Prawut said, referencing Turkey.
Thai media have aired a theory linking the bomb to ethnic Uighur Muslim militants who have fled their homeland in China seeking sanctuary overseas.
Thailand deported scores of Uighurs to China this summer, sparkling protests in Turkey in support of a group with religious and linguistic ties to many Turks.
After nearly two weeks without progress, police made a breakthrough on Saturday when they raided a flat in Nong Chok, a suburb on the eastern outskirts of Bangkok.
It yielded their first arrest since the bomb -- a foreign man allegedly in possession of bomb-making paraphernalia and dozens of fake Turkish passports.
The second foreign man was then detained on Tuesday while trying to cross into Cambodia.
Earlier Wednesday police said evidence showed he was at the same flat because his finger prints were found on bomb-making equipment at that flat.
"We can confirm that this man is directly involved with the bomb material," Prawut said.
The man has denied involvement in the bombing.
Turkish connection
Investigators say that both Wanna and Davutoglu spent time at a flat raided in Bangkok over the weekend where bomb-making equipment was allegedly discovered.
The police spokesman later posted a picture of Davutoglu on Twitter, showing a man with dark hair and a thin moustache at what is believed to be airport immigration.
The pair are known to have left Thailand weeks ago.
Wanna spoke to AFP this week and insisted she was innocent of any involvement in the bomb, adding a friend of her husband had been staying at the flat.
She told AFP she was in the town of Kayseri in Turkey, which is her husband's birthplace -- according to a photo of his passport circulated by police Tuesday.
Speculation has mounted that the shrine was targeted by a network sympathetic to the Uighurs because of the site's popularity with ethnic Chinese.
Uighur refugees, who speak a Turkic-language, have been granted sanctuary in Turkey.
Police have refused to confirm the two arrested men's nationalities. They believe both used fake identity documents and are liaising with embassies to ascertain their true nationalities.
Thai media have circulated a picture of a Chinese passport that they say was found on the man at the time of the arrest on the Cambodian border.
The passport gives the man's name as Yusufu Mieraili and his birthplace as Xinjiang.
The vast far-western region of China is home to the country's Uighurs, a Muslim minority whom rights groups say are repressed by the authorities.
Asked whether the detainee was a Uighur, Chaktip replied: "The passport says so. But we have to wait for confirmation."
Thai police say the bomb was carried out by a criminal network motivated by revenge after a people-smuggling trade was disrupted.
Analysts say Bangkok criminals have never carried out such extreme violence.
AFP
Wed Sep 02 2015
Police named the latest suspect as Emrah Davutoglu, the husband of Thai national Wanna Suansan. -Pix by Reuters
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.