Pol Gen Chakthip is likely to meet the Malaysian police chief to verify whether the detained man is the suspected bomber in the shrine blast that killed 20 and injured 130 last month, said the source.
He was also expected to negotiate with Malaysian authorities to bring the detained man back to Thailand, if he thinks he might be the suspect.
Late on Saturday night (Sept 19), Malaysian police raided several rental apartments in Kuala Lumpur and detained a suspect who looks like the suspected yellow-shirted bomber, the source said.
Malaysian authorities contacted their Thai counterparts asking them to show pictures of their suspect to detained suspects Yusufu Mieraili, and Bilal Turk, also known as Adem Karadag, and ask them to confirm if the man detained in Malaysia is the yellow-shirted bomber, said the source.
The suspects, however, told Thai authorities they did not know the man detained in Malaysia, the source added.
But after two days of questioning, the new suspect allegedly confessed to Malaysian police he was the Erawan bomber, who was caught on security cameras wearing a yellow shirt while carrying a backpack to the shrine on August 17. He left the backpack there shortly before the explosion went off.
Malaysian police began tracking the suspect based on confessions by a Thai national from Narathiwat province who had previously been detained in Malaysia, said the source.
He had provided police with information about people who assisted in the escapes of the yellow-shirted suspect and blue-shirted suspect wanted for the Aug 18 bombing at Sathon Pier.
The Narathiwat suspect told Malaysian authorities the people who helped were Thai and Malaysian nationals.
His information had led to the previous detention of two Malaysian nationals and one Pakistani national, and led Malaysian police to suspect that some Malaysian officials might also be involved, the source said.
National police chief Somyot Poompunmuang, meanwhile, said he was not aware that Pol Gen Chakthip had gone to Malaysia, adding that he did not ask him to go.
Hong Kong actors Michelle Yim Wai-ling, also known as Mai Suet, and Simon Yam Tat-wah paid a visit to the Erawan shrine yesterday. The visit was organised by the Thai Tourism and Sports Ministry to boost confidence in Thai security among tourists.
Under heavy security, the two guests worshipped at the Lord Brahma statue and paid tribute to the victims of the blast.
About 30 police and soldiers stood guard at the shrine during the visit, while metal barriers were erected to form a secure passage from the Erawan Hotel to the shrine.
Mr Yam told reporters he did not think Chinese people were the targets of the attack and that he firmly believed in the Thai government’s ability to deal with security threats.
He said every time he was in Thailand, he always came to visit the shrine.
Ms Yim performed a 10-minute classical dance routine as part of her worship at the statue, which drew a big round of applause from bystanders.
She praised Thailand as a Buddhist country with lots of hospitality, cheap air fares, and cheap but tasty food.
Hong Kong people loved to visit Thailand for these reasons, she said, adding that the mourning period had passed and it was now time to be strong.
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