Bangkok blast hits supermarket

The rocket caused only minor damage

Thai police investigating an anti-tank rocket attack on a Bangkok building containing the office of the Israeli airline El Al say the blast appeared to be unrelated to events in the Middle East.

There are no reports of deaths or injuries.

We have had trouble with bombings at some of the Tesco stores before

Bangkok police officer

Police say the most likely target was a neighbouring branch of the Tesco Lotus supermarket. The grocery chain has been the target of several attacks since July.

Bangkok police chief Anon Piromkaeu said the attack appeared to be an act of intimidation as part of an ongoing business conflict.

The device was fired from a hand-held launcher

Police say they found an M-72 anti-tank rocket launcher dumped in a refuse bin by an entrance to the 15-storey Manorom building shortly after the explosion.

Investigators said the rocket hit the Tesco Lotus supermarket, causing some damage, before striking the fourth floor of Manorom where it exploded, causing minor damage and smashing windows.

The El Al office is on the 14th floor of the Manorom building.

Maimed and killed

In July, a bomb in a shopping trolley killed one of Tesco's employees and injured a male customer.

Two men were arrested at the scene.

The men said they worked for a security firm which had recently lost its contract to guard Tesco's 30 supermarkets in Thailand.

Earlier that month, a hand grenade maimed a woman in a separate incident.

Armed guards

Security at Tesco's Thai shops has been greatly increased since the July bombs.

The UK company's subsidiary brought in Thai military police officers to keep guard during closing time.

Local firms have complained about Tesco's presence and said they cannot compete.