Bangkok bombing: Police release name of new suspect

By Jason Hanna and Kocha Olarn, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 8:46 AM EDT, Wed September 2, 2015
Thai security officials escort bombing suspect Yusufu Meerailee, arrested last week near the Cambodian border, as he is transferred from military to police custody at the metropolitan police headquarters in Bangkok on September 7, 2015.
Thai security officials escort bombing suspect Yusufu Meerailee, arrested last week near the Cambodian border, as he is transferred from military to police custody at the metropolitan police headquarters in Bangkok on September 7, 2015.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Thai authorities unveiled the repaired centerpiece of the Erawan Shrine on September 4, 2015 to restore confidence among Bangkok's tourism and business communities almost three weeks after a deadly bomb attack on August 17.
Thai authorities unveiled the repaired centerpiece of the Erawan Shrine on September 4, 2015 to restore confidence among Bangkok's tourism and business communities almost three weeks after a deadly bomb attack on August 17.
AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit
Visitors gather around the base of the Erawan Shrine on August 24, 2015 to commemorate the victims of the bomb attack in Bangkok, Thailand.
Visitors gather around the base of the Erawan Shrine on August 24, 2015 to commemorate the victims of the bomb attack in Bangkok, Thailand.
Nicolas Axelrod/Getty Images
Monks pray at the Erawan Shrine on August 24 to commemorate the victims of the bombing.
Monks pray at the Erawan Shrine on August 24 to commemorate the victims of the bombing.
Nicolas Axelrod/Getty Images
A coffin of one of the 20 victims killed in the blast is sent home on Wednesday, August 19, 2015.
A coffin of one of the 20 victims killed in the blast is sent home on Wednesday, August 19, 2015.
MANAN VATSYAYANA/Getty Images
Family members of Neoh Hock Guan ,a Malaysian survivor of the Bangkok bomb blast, break down as they pay their last respects. Five out of the seven Neoh family members traveling to Bangkok together were killed in the blast.
Family members of Neoh Hock Guan ,a Malaysian survivor of the Bangkok bomb blast, break down as they pay their last respects. Five out of the seven Neoh family members traveling to Bangkok together were killed in the blast.
MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images
Foreigners offer prayers at the reopened Erawan shrine. Authorities say the perpatrators targeted busy places popular with tourists to damage the economy.
Foreigners offer prayers at the reopened Erawan shrine. Authorities say the perpatrators targeted busy places popular with tourists to damage the economy.
CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/Getty Images
A man offers incense and prays at the Erawan shrine.
A man offers incense and prays at the Erawan shrine.
Nicolas Axelrod/Getty Images
At least 10 people are believed to have taken part in the bombing, but the attack is unlikely to be linked to international terrorist groups, Thai authorities say.
At least 10 people are believed to have taken part in the bombing, but the attack is unlikely to be linked to international terrorist groups, Thai authorities say.
Nicolas Axelrod/Getty Images
This image released by the Royal Thai Police on August 19 shows a detailed sketch of the main suspect in the bombing.
This image released by the Royal Thai Police on August 19 shows a detailed sketch of the main suspect in the bombing.
Thai Police
Messages and flowers for victims killed in the bomb blast are displayed outside the shrine.
Messages and flowers for victims killed in the bomb blast are displayed outside the shrine.
Pamela Boykoff
Damage from the blast is seen on the statue of Phra Phrom at the Erawan Shrine on August 19.
Damage from the blast is seen on the statue of Phra Phrom at the Erawan Shrine on August 19.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Workers make repairs to the buildings in and around the Erawan Shrine on August 19.
Workers make repairs to the buildings in and around the Erawan Shrine on August 19.
Nicolas Axelrod/Getty Images
Workers build a dam from sandbags on August 19 as they attempt to seal off a canal to search for remnants of an explosive device that was thrown into the canal in Bangkok on Tuesday. Police spokesman Lt. Gen. Prawut Thavornsiri said Tuesday's blast at the Sathorn Pier was caused by a pipe bomb and could be related to the deadly explosion at a popular shrine in central Bangkok on Monday.
Workers build a dam from sandbags on August 19 as they attempt to seal off a canal to search for remnants of an explosive device that was thrown into the canal in Bangkok on Tuesday. Police spokesman Lt. Gen. Prawut Thavornsiri said Tuesday's blast at the Sathorn Pier was caused by a pipe bomb and could be related to the deadly explosion at a popular shrine in central Bangkok on Monday.
Mark Baker/AP
Authorities have put down fresh cement where a bench used to stand and where they believe the bomb detonated. Thai authorities are searching for a suspect who was seen placing a backpack underneath the bench moments before the explosion.
Authorities have put down fresh cement where a bench used to stand and where they believe the bomb detonated. Thai authorities are searching for a suspect who was seen placing a backpack underneath the bench moments before the explosion.
Pamela Boykoff
Family members gather around the coffin of a bombing victim on Tuesday, August 18. The death toll from the bomb blast in the Thai capital stood at 20 with more than 120 wounded, police said.
Family members gather around the coffin of a bombing victim on Tuesday, August 18. The death toll from the bomb blast in the Thai capital stood at 20 with more than 120 wounded, police said.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
A Thai lights a candle near the Erawan Shrine the day after the explosion in Bangkok.
A Thai lights a candle near the Erawan Shrine the day after the explosion in Bangkok.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Police investigators work near the statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai interpretation of the Hindu god Brahma, at the Erawan Shrine the morning after the explosion.
Police investigators work near the statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai interpretation of the Hindu god Brahma, at the Erawan Shrine the morning after the explosion.
Mark Baker/AP
Thailand's prime minister on Tuesday promised that authorities would quickly track down those responsible for the central Bangkok bombing.
Thailand's prime minister on Tuesday promised that authorities would quickly track down those responsible for the central Bangkok bombing.
Mark Baker/AP
Police and soldiers wash the street in front of the Erawan Shrine.
Police and soldiers wash the street in front of the Erawan Shrine.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Glass covering an advertising billboard is shattered.
Glass covering an advertising billboard is shattered.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
The explosion took place at the busy Rajprasong intersection near the Erawan shrine but also international hotels and shopping malls.
The explosion took place at the busy Rajprasong intersection near the Erawan shrine but also international hotels and shopping malls.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Policemen inspect the cordoned-off site of a bomb blast in the heart of Bangkok's tourist and commercial center on Monday, August 17.
Policemen inspect the cordoned-off site of a bomb blast in the heart of Bangkok's tourist and commercial center on Monday, August 17.
CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/GETTY IMAGES
Police dogs search the scene of the explosion.
Police dogs search the scene of the explosion.
Nicolas Axelrod/Getty Images
Authorities transport motorcycles destroyed in the blast.
Authorities transport motorcycles destroyed in the blast.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
Rescue workers carry the body of a victim away from the scene.
Rescue workers carry the body of a victim away from the scene.
RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA/LANDOV
A wounded person lies on a gurney at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok.
A wounded person lies on a gurney at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok.
Penny Yi Wang/AP
Police officers watch security video footage.
Police officers watch security video footage.
Dario Pignatelli/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A Thai Army officer collects evidence in the street.
A Thai Army officer collects evidence in the street.
Dario Pignatelli/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Emergency response personnel inspect the scene of the explosion August 17.
Emergency response personnel inspect the scene of the explosion August 17.
RITCHIE B. TONGO/EPA/LANDOV
A police officer investigates the scene at the Erawan Shrine.
A police officer investigates the scene at the Erawan Shrine.
Mark Baker/AP
Police take photos at the scene of the explosion August 17. A bomb exploded in front of the shrine shortly after 7 p.m., a news report said.
Police take photos at the scene of the explosion August 17. A bomb exploded in front of the shrine shortly after 7 p.m., a news report said.
Mark Baker/AP
Police enter the Erawan Shrine after the explosion. The shrine sits at a busy intersection, with the city's Skytrain rumbling nearly overhead.
Police enter the Erawan Shrine after the explosion. The shrine sits at a busy intersection, with the city's Skytrain rumbling nearly overhead.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
A bomb disposal team member suits up in the middle of an intersection after the blast.
A bomb disposal team member suits up in the middle of an intersection after the blast.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
A police officer addresses the media after the explosion.
A police officer addresses the media after the explosion.
Nicolas Axelrod/Getty Images
Destroyed motorcycles lie among debris after a blast near a popular Hindu shrine in Bangkok on August 17.
Destroyed motorcycles lie among debris after a blast near a popular Hindu shrine in Bangkok on August 17.
AIDAN JONES/AFP/Getty Images
A Thai soldier stands guard at the scene of the blast.
A Thai soldier stands guard at the scene of the blast.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
Thai soldiers inspect the scene of the explosion on August 17.
Thai soldiers inspect the scene of the explosion on August 17.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
Rescue workers carry an injured person after the bomb exploded on August 17.
Rescue workers carry an injured person after the bomb exploded on August 17.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
Explosion in Bangkok

Story highlights

Thai police accuse Emrah Davutoglu of organizing, accommodating other suspects

Davutoglu is the husband of a previously named suspect, Wanna Suansan

Police say both Davutoglu and Wanna have left Thailand

CNN  — 

Thai police on Wednesday released the name of another person they accuse of being involved in last month’s Bangkok shrine bombing that killed 20 people and injured dozens of others.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Emrah Davutoglu, the husband of a previously named suspect, on suspicion of organizing and providing accommodation to other suspects, Thailand national police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said.

Davutoglu and his wife, Wanna Suansan, 26, of Thailand are believed to have left the country at the same time, Prawut said, without elaborating on the timetable or their whereabouts.

Thai police previously said Wanna’s husband is Turkish. But Prawut did not comment Wednesday on Davutoglu’s citizenship.

Davutoglu and Wanna are among eight people for whom Thai police have issued arrest warrants in connection with the August 17 bombing at Bangkok’s Erawan Shrine, Prawut said.

Two suspects have been arrested. But police said they still have yet to identify the man they say is the chief suspect in the bombing – seen on surveillance video wearing a yellow T-shirt and dark-framed glasses.

In one closed-circuit television image released by police, the man carries a dark-colored backpack near the shrine. Police said he hid a backpack with a pipe bomb underneath a bench.

Police: Wife connected to suspicious apartment

As for Davutoglu’s wife, Wanna, Thai police said this week that they were looking for her after authorities found bomb-making materials Sunday in a Bangkok-area apartment allegedly connected to her.

Her mother told police that she left Thailand two months ago “to stay with her husband in Turkey,” police Col. Saharat Saksilapachai said Monday.

Wanna has contacted Thai police through social media and denied any involvement, police said. She admitted renting an apartment room in Bangkok, though she said she gave it up almost a year ago, according to police.

She said she’s in Turkey with her baby and husband, who is Turkish, according to Saharat.

Authorities said Wednesday that Wanna is considering whether she is willing to return to Thailand to face accusations.

When Thai police announced Monday they were seeking Wanna, they released a sketch of an unidentified man, with dark hair and a mustache, whom they are also looking for in the case. Police said Monday that the man was not Wanna’s husband but did not reveal much else about him.

Two arrests

Police have yet to identify the two arrested suspects. They are:

• A man who was arrested after police allegedly found bomb-making material, including fuses, Saturday at a home in a Bangkok suburb. This home is different than the apartment that police say is connected to Wanna.

• A man who was arrested in Thailand near the Thai-Cambodian border as he tried to cross illegally, Prawut said Tuesday. Police have not detailed how they believe this person is connected to last month’s bombing.

Journalist Kiki Dhavitat contributed to this report.