March 23, 2010
BANGKOK (AFP) - Two small blasts hit a Thai ministry complex Tuesday, causing minor damage but no injuries, shortly after the prime minister and his cabinet met there under tight security.
The blasts slightly damaged three cars when they exploded behind a public health ministry building guarded by thousands of security personnel deployed due to ongoing anti-government protests.
Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had left the complex, in Nonthaburi province north of Bangkok, shortly before the blasts.
"I have to wait for the official investigation to know what type of bomb it was but initially I believe it was fired from an expressway," the minister told reporters. "It shows that our politics is getting more violent."
Military officials at the scene said they believed the blasts were caused by M79 grenades. There have been four other small grenade blasts this month since tough security laws were enacted ahead of the protests.
