CCTV footage captures a bomb blast this afternoon in Bangkok at a location frequented by tourists. It was the second bomb attack in under 24 hours.
18 August 2015
A second bomb attack apparently targeting tourists hit the Thai capital this afternoon, the second such attack in less than 24 hours.
No one was reported injured in the attack, which happened beneath a bridge over the Chao Phraya River near a pier heavily used by tourists to sightsee along the river.
Police have secured the area under the Saphan Taksin bridge, where someone reportedly threw an explosive device down onto a footbridge crowded with pedestrians at 12:59 pm. Authorities confirmed that, as appears in the video, the bomb missed the footbridge and exploded in the water.
The footbridge is located near a busy point of embarkation for the Chao Phraya River Express Boat, a river taxi service popular with visitors.
Video of the incident shows a sizeable blast sending people scattering as they cross the bridge.
Speaking in a live address to the nation at 3pm, Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha said the perpetrators would be found and brought to justice.
"It appears that there is still group of individuals in our country who harbor ill wishes against the nation," he said. "They may aim to sabotage our political, economic, tourism or other institutions."
He expressed his condolences to the victims and said they would be "fully compensated in accordance with the laws."
Junta spokesman Winthai Suwaree, speaking after Prayuth, asked for the public's cooperation, specifically saying that people should comply if they are stopped and searched.
The bombing came less than 24 hours after a powerful explosion killed at least 20 people at a popular tourist destination in the commercial heart of the capital. The blast injured 125 others.
Police today announced they were seeking a man seen carrying a backpack near the site of last night’s attack, but their suspicion seems mostly circumstantial so far.
Explosion rocks central Bangkok
17 August 2015
The attack took place close to the Erawan Shrine in the central Chidlom district
Deadly bomb blast rocks central Bangkok
A bomb has exploded close to a shrine in the centre of the Thai capital, Bangkok, police say.
Local reports suggest at least 12 people have died and dozens have been injured.
The BBC's Jonathan Head, who is at the scene, says there is a huge amount of chaos, with body parts scattered everywhere.
The attack took place close to the Erawan Shrine in the capital's central Chidlom district.
Our correspondent says this a very well known shrine in the centre of Bangkok, next to a five-star hotel.
He says people around the shrine were hit by the full force of the blast.
There are burnt motorbikes on the main road, with paramedics and police trying to take the injured away, he says.
The explosion was on the Rajprasong intersection, which has been the centre of political demonstrations in recent years.
Our correspondent says bomb attacks in Bangkok are extremely rare.
Posted by hnm
on Monday, August 17, 2015. Filed under
