Govt says global terrorists 'not suspected' of bombing attack

International terrorists are not suspected of a bomb attack in Bangkok this week that killed 20 people and China was not the target, Thai authorities said on Thursday as the investigation shifted to a "big network" of plotters.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the Monday attack on a famous shrine crowded with tourists, which the government has said was designed to wreck the economy. Authorities have not blamed any group for carrying out Thailand's worst bombing.

"Security agencies have cooperated with agencies from allied countries and have come to the preliminary conclusion that the incident is unlikely to be linked to international terrorism," said Colonel Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the National Council for Peace and Order.