Worker dies in 'security contract' blast

A conflict over a security contract is being blamed for the death of a supermarket worker in Thailand.

A grenade explosion killed Niphon Homhin, 23, and injured one customer at a Tesco Lotus store in Sri Nakarin, Bangkok.

Mr Niphon triggered the grenade, which was planted on a trolley with its pin primed to come out, when he lifted bags of fertiliser placed on top.

On Saturday, a similar kind of device planted under a pile of floor rugs injured a female employee at the Tesco Lotus store in Samut Prakarn province, on the outskirts of Bangkok.

Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of senior army officer Lt Col Mongkol Naretsenee, the managing director of the Royal Guard Group Holding Co Ltd.

He is suspected of directing the attacks after his company last month lost its contract to provide security for all 30 Tesco Lotus stores across Thailand to a rival company, General Guard Group International.

Gen Sant Sarutanon, the deputy national police chief, said: "It's so obvious that the bomber targeted Tesco Lotus and the mastermind was angry over the company canceling its contract and replacing it with other firm."

On Sunday, police arrested a former security guard at the Samut Prakarn branch in connection with Saturday's attack.

The suspect told investigators that he was instructed by his employer at the Royal Guard Group to plant the bomb.

Tesco Lotus Co is a joint venture, 98% owned by Tesco PLC and 2% by the Charoen Pokphand Group of Thailand.