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Bangkok Blast at Religious Shrine Kills at Least 16 Bangkok Blast at Religious Shrine Kills at Least 16
(about 1 hour later)
BANGKOK — A bomb hidden inside a Bangkok religious shrine frequented by tourists exploded Monday evening, killing at least 16 people, hurling body parts onto the pavement, shattering building windows and creating panic in one of the city’s most popular districts.BANGKOK — A bomb hidden inside a Bangkok religious shrine frequented by tourists exploded Monday evening, killing at least 16 people, hurling body parts onto the pavement, shattering building windows and creating panic in one of the city’s most popular districts.
The police discovered at least two additional unexploded bombs inside the shrine and said other bombs may have been placed in the area, yelling at bystanders: “Get out! Get out!”The police discovered at least two additional unexploded bombs inside the shrine and said other bombs may have been placed in the area, yelling at bystanders: “Get out! Get out!”
The blast occurred at the Erawan Shrine, an important tourist attraction in the city’s main shopping area.The blast occurred at the Erawan Shrine, an important tourist attraction in the city’s main shopping area.
Debris and at least five motorcycles were scattered in the intersection near the shrine as dozens of emergency vehicles arrived on the scene. Bloodstains smattered a nearby shopping mall, an indication of the force of the blast.Debris and at least five motorcycles were scattered in the intersection near the shrine as dozens of emergency vehicles arrived on the scene. Bloodstains smattered a nearby shopping mall, an indication of the force of the blast.
Some news accounts said an explosive device had detonated on one of the wrecked motorcycles, which was on fire, but the force of the shrine bomb may have caused the motorcycle to appear to have detonated as well.Some news accounts said an explosive device had detonated on one of the wrecked motorcycles, which was on fire, but the force of the shrine bomb may have caused the motorcycle to appear to have detonated as well.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosions. The head of Thailand’s national police force, Somyot Poompanmoung, said on television that the detonated bomb had been placed in the shrine. “It was not a car bomb,” he said.
The Thai authorities placed white cloths over parts of bodies ripped apart by the explosion at the Ratchaprasong intersection, the same area where a protest that stretched for months was dispersed by the military in 2010. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, which appeared to be the worst by far in a series of explosions that have occasionally disrupted Bangkok since the Thai military seized power in a May 2014 coup.
Mr. Somyot said that whoever was responsible knew there would be innocent victims at a busy time for the shrine, describing the attack as “vicious and heartless.”
The authorities said a citizen of the Philippines and a “Chinese” person were among the dead, without specifying a nationality. A statement released by a nearby hospital said one of the victims was a young girl.
The authorities placed white cloths over parts of bodies ripped apart by the explosion at the Ratchaprasong intersection, the same area where a protest that stretched for months was dispersed by the military in 2010.
Charoen Sida, 37, a security guard who was preparing to start a 7 p.m. shift at a shopping mall next to the site, witnessed the immediate aftermath.Charoen Sida, 37, a security guard who was preparing to start a 7 p.m. shift at a shopping mall next to the site, witnessed the immediate aftermath.
“Everyone was screaming and running,” he said. “There was a huge fire coming from a motorcycle. No one dared to go into the intersection.”“Everyone was screaming and running,” he said. “There was a huge fire coming from a motorcycle. No one dared to go into the intersection.”
Thailand has been under military rule since May 2014, and a number of explosions have been reported since the army seized control. However, none have been this powerful. Many windows in the shopping mall were blown out. Winai Petploy, a rescue worker who carried away the remains of the dead, said authorities discovered two unexploded bombs inside the Erawan Shrine after he had arrived. The bombs were in small travel bags, he said.
Winai Petploy, a rescue worker who arrived to carry away the remains of the dead, said authorities discovered two unexploded bombs inside the Erawan Shrine after he had arrived. The bombs were in small travel bags. The device that detonated was also inside the shrine.
Bodies were torn apart by the blast. “I carried one out and then I carried the other half out,” he said.Bodies were torn apart by the blast. “I carried one out and then I carried the other half out,” he said.
A police officer at the scene said authorities were focused on a possible suspect who was seen arriving at the shrine around 15 minutes before the explosion. She placed a bag at the shrine and then left. The officer, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the woman was overheard speaking Thai.A police officer at the scene said authorities were focused on a possible suspect who was seen arriving at the shrine around 15 minutes before the explosion. She placed a bag at the shrine and then left. The officer, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the woman was overheard speaking Thai.
More than two hours after the blast, police led teams of dogs through the area in a search for further explosives.More than two hours after the blast, police led teams of dogs through the area in a search for further explosives.
The Erawan is a Hindu shrine popular with both Thais and foreign tourists, especially ethnic Chinese visitors from Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, among other East Asian nations. The shrine is believed to hold mystical powers and those who pray for good fortune include students, job seekers and couples who have trouble conceiving.The Erawan is a Hindu shrine popular with both Thais and foreign tourists, especially ethnic Chinese visitors from Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, among other East Asian nations. The shrine is believed to hold mystical powers and those who pray for good fortune include students, job seekers and couples who have trouble conceiving.
In 2006 a man described by authorities as deranged was beaten to death after he partly destroyed the shrine.In 2006 a man described by authorities as deranged was beaten to death after he partly destroyed the shrine.
There have been at least four bombings in Bangkok since the military seized power last year, including one outside a shopping mall, another in front of the courts, and one at a major intersection. But none came close to the power of the shrine bomb.
The military has come under increasing criticism in recent months, as Thailand’s economy has faltered, and as a timeline for restoration of democracy has become increasingly vague.
Nonetheless, overt opposition to the military has been muted and the army still retains considerable support among the Bangkok elite.
The generals in charge of Thailand have on several occasions claimed that organized attempts to subvert their rule are threatening the nation, but critics say the military has not built a convincing case that would justify an indefinite continuation of its rule.
Despite its political troubles, Thailand remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, especially with a growing contingent of mainland Chinese tourists.