Bomb found, defused at Thai opposition HQ

Bangkok, Mar 27: A small time bomb containing TNT was found and defused at the headquarters of the Thai opposition Democrat Party headquarters today, forcing the evacuation of the building, party officials said.

The bomb, the size of a box of tissues, was found by a cleaner three hours before it was timed to explode at 1000 hrs, in the compound of the building and a police bomb squad defused it, senior party official Satit Wongnontaey said.

''The cleaner suspected the box wrapped in green tape and called the police,'' Satit told Reuters.

About 50 people working in the building were evacuated while police were defusing it, he said.

There was no immediate word on who might have planted the bomb, the latest of several small explosive devices which have helped keep tension high during a national political crisis.

Police have said on several occasions they believe a ''third party'' may be trying to foment violence ahead of a snap election called by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for April 2.

The Democrats and the two other main opposition parties are boycotting the election and street campaigners are trying to oust Thaksin, whom they accuse of corruption and abuse of power.

However, there has been no violence and previous small bombs have caused no casualties.

REUTERS

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