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Bangkok bomb was worst ever attack on Thailand, says PM Bangkok bomb was worst ever attack on Thailand, says PM
(about 2 hours later)
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has said the bombing of a shrine in the capital, Bangkok, on Monday was the "worst ever attack" on the country.Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has said the bombing of a shrine in the capital, Bangkok, on Monday was the "worst ever attack" on the country.
The attack killed at least 21 people, including foreigners, and scores were injured. The attack killed at least 20 people, including foreigners, and scores were injured.
Mr Prayuth said the perpetrators had not been identified, but that police were investigating one suspect seen on security footage at the shrine.Mr Prayuth said the perpetrators had not been identified, but that police were investigating one suspect seen on security footage at the shrine.
The bomb targeted the Erawan Hindu shrine, a major tourist attraction.The bomb targeted the Erawan Hindu shrine, a major tourist attraction.
It was detonated at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT) on Monday when the shrine, and the busy Ratchaprasong junction where it is located, were crowded.It was detonated at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT) on Monday when the shrine, and the busy Ratchaprasong junction where it is located, were crowded.
Live coverage of Bangkok aftermathLive coverage of Bangkok aftermath
"This is the worst incident that has ever happened in Thailand," Mr Prayuth said."This is the worst incident that has ever happened in Thailand," Mr Prayuth said.
"There have been minor bombs or just noise, but this time they aim for innocent lives. They want to destroy our economy, our tourism.""There have been minor bombs or just noise, but this time they aim for innocent lives. They want to destroy our economy, our tourism."
He said there was "a suspect who appeared on CCTV but it's not clear" and the man was being investigated. Authorities are now examining video footage taken from several CCTV cameras around the shrine for clues, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok said the shrine is surrounded by security cameras and members of the public are handing in their own coverage to the authorities. They say they are looking for one young man who appears to walk into the shrine wearing a black backpack, but is then seen walking without it.
He says the bomb was clearly placed to cause maximum casualties, and that Thailand is experiencing a profound sense of shock that this could happen in the heart of their capital. Members of the public are also handing in their own video coverage.
The bomb was clearly placed to cause maximum casualties, our correspondent says, and there is a lingering sense of shock in Thailand, which until now had been spared the kinds of terrorist incidents experienced by some of its neighbours.
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 facts - what we know so farThe facts - what we know so far
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
Jonathan Head BBC News, Bangkok: "Who is behind this attack?"Jonathan Head BBC News, Bangkok: "Who is behind this attack?"
Bangkok is now sitting back and wondering who could possibly have carried out this act and what their motives could have been.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.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.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.It will be some time before the government gives some idea of what we should be looking for.
National police chief Somyot Poompummuang earlier 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 earlier 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.
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.
Bangkok has seen a decade of sometimes violent rivalry between political factions.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.
Are you in Bangkok? Were you affected by the bomb attack? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story.Are you in Bangkok? Were you affected by the bomb attack? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: