Bomb explosion in Tesco

A small bomb exploded inside the Tesco Lotus superstore in Thailand last week. Police said no one was injured as the bomb exploded after the superstore had already been closed. Authorities suspect a business conflict was behind the bombing, but because the impact was so small, it was probably intended only as a warning.

Rumours in the region suggest many local food retailers are unhappy about Tesco's presence, as they cannot compete with the UK-based giant. Pol Maj-Gen Amnaj Unart-ngarm, deputy chief of Provincial Police said the giant store had been involved in many conflicts since construction had begun.

Nirut Vacharapichart, coordinator of the Retail Business Operators Union which spearheaded opposition to the construction of multinational hypermarkets in the northeastern province, denied the group was involved. Vacharapichart suggested insiders were responsible, pointing to disputes over leases and the disgruntled employees.

In 2001 there were three attacks on Tesco stores in Thailand. In one incident a bomb in a shopping trolley killed a Tesco employee and injured another. In a separate incident, a hand grenade was used in an attack.

Police are checking surveillance tapes to find out how the latest bomb was detonated and who planted it.

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