Prime suspect in Bangkok bombing case arrested

BANGKOK, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The main suspect in the deadly bombing of a shrine in Bangkok was arrested Tuesday in the Sa Kaeo province of Thailand.

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced the man's arrest.

Authorities have not released the name of the man, who was identified as a foreigner.

He was accused of setting off explosives Aug. 17 at Bangkok's Erawan Shrine, killing 20 people. Surveillance video identified the man as the prime suspect.

Police arrested a second foreign man on Saturday. He denied participating in the bombing despite allegedly having bomb equipment at his apartment. This man's nationality or identity has yet to be released as his interrogation continues.

Meanwhile, on Monday, police released the images of two suspects who were still on the loose -- a 26-year-old Thai woman named Wanna Suansan and an unidentified male. In the images released by police, Suansan is seen wearing a hijab while the unidentified man sports dark hair and a mustache.

Prior to Tuesday's announcement, Thailand's military junta asked landlords to help them find the bombing suspects.

This request was broadcast at noon across all television channels, in Thai, English and Mandarin Chinese. The request also urged homeowners to report any information to the nearest military or police officer.

Some have speculated the bombing was in response to the deportation of ethnic Uighurs to China by the Thai government.