Police: Suspect handled backpack bomb

A key suspect in last month's deadly Bangkok blast handed the backpack that held the bomb over to a man in a yellow T-shirt later seen placing it at a shrine in the heart of the city, Thai police said on Wednesday.

"This is the area where he met the man in a yellow shirt to exchange the backpack," police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said as the suspect, Yusufu Mieraili, was led on a re-enactment of his movements outside a Bangkok railway station.

Mieraili is one of two foreign nationals who have been charged with involvement in the blast, which tore through a religious shrine and killed 20 people, mostly ethnic Chinese tourists from across Asia.

Police said Mieraili has confessed to playing a central role in the operation, although his motive remains unclear.

The 25-year-old was taken on Wednesday morning on a re-enactment of his alleged movements on the day of the Aug 17 blast.

Outside Hua Lamphing station, police said he handed a "heavy backpack" to a man later seen on security footage apparently placing the same bag at the shrine moments before the blast.

After making the exchange, Prawut said Mieraili was then ordered to travel to the shrine to take photos of the aftermath of the bomb.

But when he got there, his view was blocked by a pillar so he left, Prawut added.

Under tight security, the suspect was led early on Wednesday to an area directly across from the Erawan Shrine.

Protected by body armor, the suspect repeatedly pointed to the shrine as he talked with investigators. Media were kept at a distance.

He is believed to have conspired in the attack but is not believed to have detonated the bomb.

(China Daily 09/10/2015 page12)