Officer charged in bomb attack

Officer charged in bomb attack

BANGKOK (AFP): A Thai naval officer implicated in an April bomb attack in the coastal city of Phuket has been charged with illegal possession of arms and explosives, police said yesterday.

Commander Benjaporn Bovornsuwan, an intelligence officer at Sattahip naval base in southern Thailand, has denied the charges.

The bomb attack at the luxury Hotel Karon Wing took place on April 29 during a reception organized by the Boonrawd Brewery Co. attended by about 1,000 people. Two employees were injured.

The following day a parcel bomb was defused in a neighboring hotel. Police alleged the officer is implicated in this incident. According to police, the incidents were linked to business interests. They said Benjaporn was a partner and distributor for the brewery in Phangnga province, neighboring Phuket.