Cops looking for 'Chinese' suspect

Thai police yesterday said an arrest warrant had been issued for a "Chinese" man over last month's deadly Bangkok blast, backtracking after they earlier identified the suspect as a member of the country's Uighur minority.

Confusing and sometimes contradictory official statements have characterised updates into the investigation of the attack which killed 20 people, the majority ethnic Chinese visitors, at a religious shrine in the capital's bustling downtown district on August 17.

Analysts have increasingly pointed towards militants from China's mostly Muslim Uighur minority -- or their supporters -- in revenge for Thailand's forced deportation of 109 Uighur refugees to an uncertain future in China in July.

National police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri earlier told AFP the suspect was a Uighur according to his passport releasing a photo. But, shortly afterwards, police sent reporters another photo of the suspect -- this time removing mention of his ethnicity and requesting media "drop the word Uighur".

Thai authorities are already holding in custody two foreign men, whose nationalities remain unconfirmed, over the attack. Ishan, who police say is 27 years old, is among another 11 suspects wanted by police.