TWO suspects in the bombing at a shrine in Thailand’s capital that killed 20 people have handed themselves in, saying they are tour guides.

TWO suspects in the bombing at a shrine in Thailand’s capital that killed 20 people have handed themselves in, saying they are tour guides. The pair were seen in security footage just before Monday’s blast sitting on a bench as the main suspect, in the yellow shirt, left his backpack behind.
Police spokesman Lt. Gen. Prawut Thavornsiri earlier released a still from surveillance footage showing two “persons of interest” in the investigation — one wearing a red top red and the other a white top.
The two men told police they were just tour operators, the BBC reported, citing authorities in the country.
The news came as Thailand’s police chief said at least 10 people were involved in the Bangkok bombing.
According to Somyot Poompanmuang, the attack was planned one month in advance, and involved the use of a “big network”.
“There was preparation using many people,” he said, according to Sky reports.
“This includes those who looked out on the streets, prepared the bomb, and those at the site and ... those who knew the escape route.”
Earlier, Thai authorities said they would ask Interpol for help in the hunt for the Bangkok bomber, after a foreigner was identified as the prime suspect.
“We will seek help from Interpol today,” Major General Apichart Suriboonya, the head of Thailand’s Interpol unit told AFP, adding he was unsure if the suspect had already fled the country.
Police have released a sketch of a man accused of carrying out the deadly Bangkok bombing with two possible accomplices.
Police issued an arrest warrant for an “unidentified foreign man” shown in a security video leaving behind a backpack just minutes before the attack, but acknowledged they’re not sure he’s from another country.
In addition to a sketch of the suspect, authorities offered a one million baht ($28,000) reward for help leading to the arrest of the man they believe carried out Monday’s blast, which left 20 people dead and more than 120 injured.

Suspect ... Thai police have released a sketch of Bangkok bombing suspect. Picture: Royal Thai Police via AP Source: AP

Authorities have called it the worst attack in Thai history.
But apart from the rough portrait that shows a young man with dark, bushy hair and eyeglasses, authorities have few solid leads.
National police spokesman Lt. Gen. Prawut Thavornsiri expressed uncertainty at a news conference about the man’s origin.
He said the suspect “looks like a foreigner” but “might have been in a disguise and wearing a fake nose” to conceal his identity.
Prawut said the security video appears to show two possible accomplices standing in front of the man who are also considered suspects.
“He didn’t do it alone, for sure. It’s a network,” national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung told the same news conference, adding, “I believe there are some Thais involved.”

Prime suspect ... the Royal Thai Police released this image of a man in a yellow T-shirt near the Erawan Shrine before the explosion. Picture: Royal Thai Police via AP Source: AP

Two days after the attack, the open-air Erawan Shrine reopened to the public. No one has claimed responsibility for the blast at one of the capital’s busiest intersections during evening rush hour.
Authorities identified the suspect from a grainy security video that shows the man, wearing a yellow T-shirt and carrying a black backpack at the crowded shrine. He sits down on a bench, takes off the backpack and leaves it behind as he stands up and then walks away.
Time stamps on the video show he left the shrine 15 minutes before the explosion, which struck just before 7pm local time.
“If citizens or anyone can give us information or clues that lead to the arrest of this man, I have set a reward of 1 million baht,” Somyot said.

Reopened ... visitors pray at the reopened Erawan Shrine in Bangkok. Picture: AFP/Pornchai Kittiwongsakul Source: AFP

Mediation ... people pray in front the reopened Erawan Shrine. Picture: Nicolas Axelrod/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Police composed the sketch based on the video and a description provided by a motorcycle taxi driver believed to have given him a ride on Monday night.
The arrest warrant describes him as tall, with a pointed nose and thick lips. He faces six charges including conspiring to commit premeditated murder and conspiring to commit a bombing that resulted in death and severe injuries.
The attack has raised concerns about safety in a city that draws millions of tourists.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha “is worried about the security of people and tourists in Thailand,” the police chief said.
Prayuth has called the attack “the worst incident that has ever happened in Thailand” and vowed to track down those responsible.
Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes has spoken about the horror of being in Bangkok during the devastating bombing.
The singer said a “ little tiny twist of fate” kept him and his family from being caught in the blast.
“We’re OK, you know. It’s one of those things — the more it sinks in,” Barnes told A Current Affair. “The longer we sit around ... just frightening.”

Lucky break ... Australian musician Jimmy Barnes taking a 'selfie' moments after a bomb detonated at the Erawin Shrine. Picture: AAP Image/Ferris Davies PRM Source: AAP

The Erawan Shrine is a revered spot among Thais and tourists that transcends religion. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma, but is extremely popular among Thailand’s Buddhists as well as Chinese tourists.
Although Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, Hinduism has an influence on its religious practices and language. The shrine’s location adds to its popularity, offering an open-air place for prayer amid the capital’s gleaming shopping malls and five-star hotels.
On Wednesday morning, a stream of people arrived at the shrine, kneeling in prayer, lighting incense and placing flowers at the site where 36 hours earlier the explosion scattered body parts across one of the capital’s busiest intersections. Buddhist monks in saffron robes joined members of the public to chant prayers.
Among those who paid respects was an office worker, Nuansupha Sarunsikarin, who expressed shock and sadness over the attack.
“I’m depressed for those innocent people who had to pay for something they’re not involved with and now have no chance to live their lives,” Nuansupha said.
Thai authorities identified six victims as Thai and four as Malaysians, along with four Chinese, two people from Hong Kong including one British citizen, one Indonesian and one Singaporean. Two victims remain unidentified.

Casualties ... a vehicle carrying the bodies of the Malaysian victims of the Bangkok bombing arrives at the Penang International Airport in Penang, Malaysia on August 19. Picture: AP Photo/Gary Chuah Source: AP