Malaysia detains eight people over Bangkok bombing

Eight people, including four believed to be ethnic Uighurs, have been detained in Malaysia for questioning in connection with last month's bombing of a Bangkok shrine that killed 20 people.

Erawan shrine workers remove garland of worships to a statue of Lord Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation, at the Erawan Shrine, in Bangkok Source: EPA

National deputy police chief Noor Rashid Ibrahim said they were arrested in the past week in Kuala Lumpur as well as in northeastern Kelantan state.

Four of the eight were Malaysians suspected of human trafficking, while another four were believed to be Uighur men who had entered the country illegally.

Noor Rashid said the suspects were being investigated to see if they had any role in activities surrounding the shrine blast.

"Right now, there is no concrete evidence to show that they are directly involved," he told reporters.

Noor Rashid said Thai police were notified of the arrests, and he was hopeful they can aid in identifying the men.

The August 17 blast at the Erawan Shrine also injured more than 120. Many of the victims were foreigners as the Bangkok shrine is a popular tourist destination.