Thaksin’s son gives Thai police US$200,000 reward for Bangkok blast probe

The son of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra has handed police a reward of nearly US$200,000 for their investigation into the deadly Bangkok blast, after authorities declared the first suspect arrested was the bomber.

The unprecedented August attack at a shrine in a bustling shopping district killed 20 people, landing a fresh blow to the nation’s image as a holiday paradise after last year’s military coup and months of street protests which preceded it. Anong the dead Among the 20 dead were at least six Chinese nationals, including four from the mainland and two young women from Hong Kong.

“My team has handed seven million baht (HK$1.4 million) to the national police headquarters to boost the spirits of officials,” Panthongtae declared in a Facebook post.

Thailand’s national police chief Jakthip Chaikinda confirmed the money had been received, telling reporters that the sum was marked for police officers involved in the investigation and those who provided tip-offs.

It was not clear if any members of the public would receive a cut for tip-offs. The earlier reward from police was earmarked only for officers as officials at the time said they had not received any public tip-offs after their call for information.