Despite only one arrest and no confirmation that he was one of the bombers, national police chief Somyot Poompunmuang
awarded a 3-million-baht reward to members of the police team that arrested the man. The police chief confirmed the arrest of the suspect was the result of arduous work by the investigation team led by Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, the deputy police chief who will succeed him on Oct 1. Other members of the team included Special Branch police led by Pol Lt Gen Chaiwat Ketworachai, Central Investigation Bureau police led by Pol Lt Gen Thitirat Nonghanpithak and Metropolitan Police led by Pol Lt Gen Srivarah Rangsipramanakul. Police on Saturday arrested a foreign suspect in a raid at the Pool Anant apartment in Nong Chok district, where they also seized material for making bombs and forged Turkish passports. The suspect's nationality is still unknown. A military source revealed that the suspect identified himself as Bilan Muhammad, 47, and is now being detained at the 11th Army Circle in Bangkok. The source also said the man illegally entered Thailand through the northern border and has lived here for almost one year. He can speak English and Arabic. Authorities used an Arabic translator during questioning. However, police will verify the forged Turkish passports with officials at the Turkish embassy to determine if the suspect is a Turkish national, the source said.