[Link: edition.cnn.com...]

Thai authorities on Wednesday charged two Iranians in relation to a string of blasts that hit Bangkok the day before as Tehran denied accusations by Israel that it was behind the explosions.

A Thai official also drew a tentative link between the Bangkok bombings and attacks earlier this week aimed at Israeli officials in India, saying the materials used in the explosive devices were similar.

The authorities in Thailand said they are still on the hunt for two other people, one man and one woman, in connection with the blasts in Bangkok, which wounded at least five people.

The first bomb Tuesday went off in a rental house, believed to be leased to foreigners, according to Thai authorities. After the blast, two of the men left the scene while a third detonated two more bombs — one when a taxi driver refused to give him a ride, and another when he tried to throw a bomb at police officers as they closed in on him.

The last bomb exploded near the man, blowing off one of his legs, the authorities said. He was taken to Chulalongkorn General Hospital for treatment and Iranian documents were found on him.

Another man arrested at the airport is holding an Iranian passport and is one of the two who left the scene, the Thai government said, adding that he was identified as Mohammad Hasai, 42, and was about to leave for Malaysia.

The authorities charged those two men with several offenses, including illegal possession of explosives and intent to kill a police officer, said Gen. Pansiri Prapawat, deputy police commander.

The third man and the woman, who the authorities say they believe was renting the house, are still at large. The man is believed to have left the country, possibly for Malaysia, said Thitima Chaisaeng, a spokeswoman for the Thai government.