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Bangkok bomb: Attack aimed to kill foreigners - Thai minister Bangkok bomb: Attack aimed to kill foreigners - Thai minister
(about 1 hour later)
Thailand's defence minister has said those who planted a bomb at a Bangkok shrine deliberately targeted foreigners to harm tourism and the economy.Thailand's defence minister has said those who planted a bomb at a Bangkok shrine deliberately targeted foreigners to harm tourism and the economy.
Prawit Wongsuwan vowed to hunt down the perpetrators of the attack in the capital, which killed at least 19 people and injured more than 120. Prawit Wongsuwan vowed to hunt down the perpetrators of the attack in the capital, which killed at least 21 people and injured more than 120.
The Erawan Shrine is a major tourist attraction and foreigners are among the casualties.The Erawan Shrine is a major tourist attraction and foreigners are among the casualties.
The attack has not been claimed and it is unclear who would target the site.The attack has not been claimed and it is unclear who would target the site.
The bomb was detonated at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT) on Thursday.The bomb was detonated at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT) on Thursday.
The Hindu shrine, and the busy Ratchaprasong junction where it is located, were crowded when the explosion occurredThe Hindu shrine, and the busy Ratchaprasong junction where it is located, were crowded when the explosion occurred
Mr Wongsuwon told reporters that the bombers had "targeted foreigners... to damage tourism and the economy".Mr Wongsuwon told reporters that the bombers had "targeted foreigners... to damage tourism and the economy".
"We will hunt them down," he added. "We will hunt them down," Reuters quoted him as saying.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government was setting up a "war room" to co-ordinate its response, according to the Nation TV channel.Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government was setting up a "war room" to co-ordinate its response, according to the Nation TV channel.
Bangkok explosionBangkok explosion
Eyewitness accounts of the blast - "There was total chaos"Eyewitness accounts of the blast - "There was total chaos"
In pictures - scene of devastationIn pictures - scene of devastation
CCTV footage - captures the moment of the explosionCCTV footage - captures the moment of the explosion
The Erawan Shrine - popular with locals and touristsThe Erawan Shrine - popular with locals and tourists
Mobile phone footage captures the blastMobile phone footage captures the blast
'I gave one man CPR' says BBC man'I gave one man CPR' says BBC man
National police chief Somyot Poompummuang described the device as a "pipe bomb" and said it had been placed inside the shrine. Reports said 3kg of TNT had been used in the bomb.National police chief Somyot Poompummuang described the device as a "pipe bomb" and said it had been placed inside the shrine. Reports said 3kg of TNT had been used in the bomb.
"Whoever planted this bomb is cruel and aimed to kill. Planting a bomb there means they want to see a lot of people dead," he said."Whoever planted this bomb is cruel and aimed to kill. Planting a bomb there means they want to see a lot of people dead," he said.
Officials said 10 Thais had been confirmed dead, along with two Chinese and one Filipino. Thai police said 123 people had been injured.Officials said 10 Thais had been confirmed dead, along with two Chinese and one Filipino. Thai police said 123 people had been injured.
Jonathan Head BBC News, Bangkok: "Who is behind this attack?"
It is a shocking atmosphere in Bangkok. The police have left the scene and gathered what evidence they can, but people here can't remember anything of this scale happening before.
Bangkok is now sitting back and wondering who could possibly have carried out this act and what their motives could have been.
There is no shortage of potential suspects - people might wonder if it was the Muslim insurgency fighting for an independent state in the deep south. Lots of bombs go off there but, the insurgents have never perpetrated an attack outside their own area, so this would be an entire change in tactics.
People also look at the recent political violence and wonder if factions who lost out might have been involved.
It will be some time before the government gives some idea of what we should be looking for.
The BBC's Jonathan Head, who was one of the first journalists at the scene, said it was a chaotic sight, with body parts scattered everywhere.The BBC's Jonathan Head, who was one of the first journalists at the scene, said it was a chaotic sight, with body parts scattered everywhere.
Marko Cunningham, a New Zealand paramedic working with a Bangkok ambulance service, said the scene was "like a meat market".Marko Cunningham, a New Zealand paramedic working with a Bangkok ambulance service, said the scene was "like a meat market".
"There were bodies everywhere. Some were shredded. It was horrific," he told the Reuters news agency."There were bodies everywhere. Some were shredded. It was horrific," he told the Reuters news agency.
The shrine is dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma, but is also visited by thousands of Buddhists each day.The shrine is dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma, but is also visited by thousands of Buddhists each day.
It sits between a five-star hotel and a popular shopping centre on the Ratchaprasong intersection, which has been the centre of political demonstrations in recent years.It sits between a five-star hotel and a popular shopping centre on the Ratchaprasong intersection, which has been the centre of political demonstrations in recent years.
Our correspondent says bomb attacks in Bangkok are extremely rare. Bangkok has seen a decade of sometimes violent rivalry between political factions.
There has been a Muslim insurgency, but this has been largely confined to the south of the country and attacks rarely take place elsewhere.
But Bangkok has seen a decade of sometimes violent rivalry between political factions.
The military took over the country in May last year, removing an elected government following months of unrest. The capital has been relatively calm since then.The military took over the country in May last year, removing an elected government following months of unrest. The capital has been relatively calm since then.