Thailand says detains 18 over bombings

BANGKOK, Jan 22 (Reuters) Eighteen soldiers and civilians have been detained for questioning over possible involvement in bombings on New Year's Eve which killed three people in Bangkok, a Thai army general said today.

The men, taken from locations in Bangkok and army units in nearby provinces over the weekend, are in police or military custody, Lieutenant-General Prayudh Janocha told a Bangkok radio station.

''They have been invited to provide information because the police investigation has learned that they might have known something about the bombs,'' said Prayudh, commander of the Thai army's central region.

More people would be questioned, Prayudh said without giving further details.

The 18 were detained under martial law rules which demand they be charged within a week or freed, he said.

Immediately after the bombings the military-appointed government said politicians who had lost power were suspected of being behind the bombs.

Most Thais interpreted the claims as implicating Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted as prime minister by the military on September 19.

Thaksin, a former senior policemen turned telecommunications tycoon who had allies in both the army and police, has denied any connection to the bombs.

Prayudh confirmed Thai newspapers reports that some of the detained soldiers were from the Special Forces.

Police have not yet officially released the names of the detained men, but Sonthi said yesterday people from ''four colours,'' referring to the army, navy, air force and police, were involved in the bombs.

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