when a bomb exploded at Ratchaprasong intersection,
killing 20 people, including three foreigners, and
injuring at least 125.
The explosion occurred about 7pm near the Brahmin
statue at the Erawan Shrine on the intersection packed
with evening rush-hour commuters and tourists, many
of whom were visiting the shrine.
With a powerful flash caught on security video and
a boom heard blocks away, the blast from the IED
(improvised explosive device) scattered body parts across
Rachaprasong intersection, spattere blood, blasted windows
and burned motorbikes to the metal.
"Suddenly there was a big boom, and the whole room just
shook, like someone dropped a wrecking ball on top of our
ceiling," said Pim Niyomwan, an English instructor working
on the eighth floor of the building right next to the shrine.
"The whole building just shook. My four students were hysterical."
Police said the bomb was left on a bench beside the low fence
of the shrine close to the intersection. Two objects suspected
to be explosive devices were also discovered next to a nearby
BTS station pillar near the shrine. The national police chief,
Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang and others called it a
vicious act meant to target helpless civilians but stopped
short of labelling it "terrorism". No one or group had claimed
responsibility by Tuesday morning.
At least three foreign nationals were among the dead,
according to the national police chief. China's embassy in
Bangkok said two Chinese nationals were killed,
the Xinhua news agency reported. On Tuesday morning,
police revised the human toll from the bomb, citing some
confusion at the scene, and deaths that occurred in hospitals
among the badly wounded.
As of 8am Tuesday, the toll stood at 20 dead, including the
two Chinese and one Filipino. Police said 125 were injured badly
enough to need medical care, but did not provide a breakdown
of Thai and foreignvictims. About seven of the bodies were
collected from the shrine by Por Teck Tung rescue volunteers.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was "shocked" to learn
about the deadly explosion. He hopes that "those responsible
will be brought to justice," according to a statement from a UN
spokesperson.
The United States, meanwhile, "condemns this deplorable act
of violence," National Security Council spokesman Ned Price
said in a statement. The US embassy in Bangkok issued an
"emergency message" to Americans message" to Americans
in Bangkok informing them of the blast. "US Embassy personnel
are liaising closely with local authorities to gather information,"
it said. "US citizens are advised to avoid the area and monitor
local media for updates." At least five motorcycles caught fire.
Police denied the bomb had been planted in a motorcycle.
At 7.15pm, police closed the intersection to traffic to allow
bomb disposal experts to get to the scene and rescue workers
to move in. BTS trains to the area were immediately halted.
Police chief Somyot said the bomb at the shrine was improvised,
with gunpowder stuffed inside a pipe, and detonated in a similar
way to how a TNT device is set off.
"It was a barbaric act perpetrated during a busy time and
the attack was meant to kill people," he said, adding the
device was capable of causing destruction within
a 40-metre radius.
Several bodies with visible burns were seen at the intersection,
which was littered with human remains and debris from the blast.
Rescue workers administered first aid to the injured, who
sustained deep wounds and lacerations, and took them to
the nearby Police General Hospital. Some of the injured
were also rushed to Ramathibodi, Rajavithi, Phramongkutklao,
Chulalongkorn, Klang, Bangkok Christian andPhayathai 1
hospitals.
The emergency room of the Police General Hospital, which
sits across Ratchaprasong intersection, was swamped last night
attending to people hurt in the blasts.
A staff member said about 20 people rushed to the hospital were
in critical condition. The blast was the third and biggest bomb
attack since the military coup. The first was an explosion
outside the Paragon shopping complex on Feb 1, in which
one person was slightly injured.
The second was at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek
Road on March 7, where there were no casualties.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha condemned the attack and
ordered his deputy, Prawit Wongsuwon, to put security
authorities on full alert, said Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd,
a former deputy government spokesman.
He said Gen Prayut has ordered police, soldiers and city
workers to inspect the blast scene and launch a thorough
investigation. According to Maj Gen Sansern, it is too early
to speculate on the motive behind the blast but the
government will take harsh action as it was a deliberate
attempt to take people's lives. The prime minister urged
the public to stay calm and not rush to share information
about the bombing on social media, said Maj Gen Weerachon
Sukhondhapatipak, deputy government spokesman.
Security authorities are reviewing the situation before deciding
if the internal security law will be invoked, a source said.
The 1st Cavalry Battalion, King's Guard, issued alerts for 10
potentially dangerous areas following the blast. They are
Ratchaprasong intersection, Pathumwan intersection,
Silom Road, Khao San Road, Narathiwat intersection,
the Victory Monument, Tuek Chai Intersection,
Benjasiri Park, Soi Thong Lor and Sukhumvit Road.
Gen Prawit said the explosion targeted the country's tourism
sector as the attackers intentionally launched an attack in
a crowded area popular with tourists. British ambassador
Mark Kent warned Britons in Thailand to be vigilant and
stay updated on travel advice. Police and soldiers set up
checkpoints and are patrolling areas which could be targets,
Gen Prawit said. He insisted there was no indicationat
this stage that the bombing was politically motivated
though Deputy Defence Minister and army chief
Udomdej Sitabutr said an attack by elements with
"different views" could not be ruled out.
"It is "It is possible that another such incident could occur,"
he added.
News,Politics,Bangkok Post ,18 August 2015
I think this event want to treathening Bangkokrian people
because it happen at the central area of Bangkok.
Hope that the government can fine the accused rapidly
and can prevent the event not to happening more.
R.I.P for those who died in the event, deeply sorry with
their relate.And hope all the situation will be in normal
peacefully as before.
Sincerely Yours.
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