Bangkok blast suspect may have escaped

Police on Sunday said the suspect involved in the deadly bombing of a shrine in the Thai capital that killed 20 people might have left the country, the media reported.

Police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri said he believed the perpetrator would have timed an escape carefully and "wouldn't have much time to stay around", the Bangkok Post reported.

"I suspect he may have left, but we will keep searching, in case we can find others who may be in the country or find clues, evidence and witnesses who may have seen him," the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, police have launched a massive operation against criminals here in the wake of the August 17 blast.

The blast took place when an improvised explosive device went off near the Brahma statue at the Erawan Shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection in central Bangkok killing 20 people and injuring 125 others.