Bangkok, June 14: Terror suspects had planned a bombing spree against western embassies and tourist sites in Thailand during the Apec summit when leaders from 21 nations gather here in October, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said today. He said the information was based on the written confession of alleged Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror network member Arifin bin Ali of Singapore, who was arrested in Bangkok in May and handed over to Singaporean authorities.
"Arifin had admitted in written confession that they had planned to bomb western embassies in Bangkok during the Apec summit," Thaksin said in his weekly radio address.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum is scheduled for October 20-21 in Bangkok. US President George W. Bush and 20 other regional and world leaders are expected to attend.
Thaksin's announcement follows the shock arrest Tuesday of three Thai terror suspects, two of whom police say have confessed to being members of JI and plotting extensive attacks in the kingdom.
The suspects' lawyer said the three had denied confessing to being JI members or planning attacks.
The premier defended police handling of the arrests, which took place in majority-Muslim southern Thailand and have been viewed with suspicion there.
"The arrest process was in accordance with our constitution. As of now all the suspects are considered innocent people until the court rules, therefore I want to reassure everybody that justice will take its course," Thaksin said. Bureau Report