A sketch of the main suspect of the Bangkok attacks. Thailand's government announced Thursday that the suspect is not believed to have connections to international terrorist organizations. Photo courtesy of the Thai police.
BANKOK, Thailand, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Thai authorities tripled the reward for information leading to the arrest of the main suspect in the deadly blast at Bangkok's Erawan Shrine after the most recent leads came up empty.
Officials raised the reward to $85,000 after investigators found two men questioned Thursday, a Chinese tourist and his Thai guide, were not involved in the bombing that killed 20 on Monday. Investigators are still seeking one additional suspect, a woman wearing a black shirt who was spotted in a surveillance video.
Investigators said up to 10 people may have been involved in the attack in the country's capital city that injured some 150. The main suspect, a man wearing a yellow shirt seen leaving a backpack at the scene, is still being sought. No one has claimed responsibility in the attack.
Friday, the rites of five religions -- Buddhist, Islamic, Christian, Sikh and Hindu -- were held at an area near the shrine. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon presided over the rites at the Central World outdoor activity square.
Local residents and families of victims are growing weary of what seems to be a stalled police investigation. Bangkok Gov. Sukhumbhand Paribatra was criticized for reopening the shrine too quickly, clearing the area of vital evidence.
"If we didn't clean, you would criticize me," Sukhumbhand said. "Now that I cleaned it, you think my actions are suspect."
Also Friday, a Thai television station apologized for reenacting the blast with a staff member dressed as the main suspect.
