Bangkok hospital bomb: Thai court jails man for 27 years
A 62-year-old man has been sentenced to 27 years in prison on Wednesday for planting a bomb at a Bangkok hospital. The blast took place in the Phramongkutklao Hospital in the Thai capital, Bangkok. The explosion left 21 people wounded. Police arrested Watana Pumret after the blast and said he had confessed to the bombing because he despises the military. "From the evidence we believe the accused committed the offence ... the accused confessed to it," a judge said. Watana was seen crying after the verdict. He hugged his wife and refused to answer reporters' questions, according to a Reuters reporter at the court. Thailand's military launched a coup in May 2014 after months of street protests that took a toll on Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy. The military promised to unite the politically divided country and restore stability but it has been accused by critics of not wanting to relinquish power. General election will be held in November 2018 to return Thailand to democracy but senior government figures have said more time was needed to complete laws related to the vote. -PTC News
