Thailand tense following grenade attacks on main bank

Bangkok (Thailand), Feb.28 (ANI): Two grenades exploded outside branches of Thailand's biggest bank - the Bangkok Bank -- causing damage but no casualties.

The first blast hit a branch in the Silom business district, shattering windows and doors, while the second caused similar damage and also wrecked telephone booths in Samut Prakarn on the outskirts of the capital, police said.

Another two unexploded grenades were defused at Bangkok Bank branches at around the same time.

The blasts were apparently in response to a court verdict against deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and have left the country tense.

According to a Sydney Morning Herald report, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has asked troops to provide extra security across the country following the attacks. However, he has held back on ordering enactment of harsh security laws.

Thailand's Supreme Court on Friday confiscated 1.4 billion US dollars of Thaksin's fortune for abuse of power while he was in office between 2001 and 2006.

He is now living in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for graft. (ANI)