A blast wounds 13 at Thai market vendors

The blast occurred in the Thai capital at around 1 a.m. when some protesters were sleeping in makeshift tents and others had gathered outside, police Col. Sutip Palitkusontap said.

Two of the protesters remained hospitalized with serious injuries, but the rest have been released, said Surachet Sathitniramai at the Narenthorn Medical Center.

Sutip said hundreds of vendors who operate stalls at the outdoor market in Bangkok have been staging a protest since Wednesday against Legal Professional Co. Ltd., the facility's new privately contracted management company.

The company denied involvement in the attack.

Two men were seen dropping a plastic bag from an overpass bridge onto the protest side at a major intersection in Klong Toey district before the blast occurred, Sutip said, citing witnesses.

"It remains unclear what kind of explosive device it was and who was behind the attack," he said. "We will step up security for protesters to prevent further attacks."

There was no claim of responsibility for the attack and no indication that the blast was related to Thailand's ongoing political strife. Protesters have been camping out for months at the Thai prime minister's office in hopes of forcing the government to resign.

The market's land is owned by the Port Authority of Thailand, which recently hired new management for the market. The protesters allege the bidding process for the hiring was not transparent, and that they have been treated unfairly by the new management, which has sharply raised rents without improving conditions.

One protester at the market who identified herself only as Wanida said mobs have been harassing them since July to agree to the higher rents or leave.

"We will not move out or sign the new contract with the new developer," she said.

The director of Legal Professional, Thamanat Pompao, said his company was not involved in the blast, and declined to comment on the alleged months of harassment.

"We do not resort to violence," Thamanat said. "We want to improve the condition of the market. That was why we asked the vendors to register with us so we can work together."

Hundreds of protesters remained at the market Thursday afternoon, vowing to stay until the situation has been resolved.

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