Bangkok bomb blast kills at least 18, injures 100

[nuckin_futz]

Bangkok bomb blast kills at least 18, injures 100

Updated

• Blast occurred near a well-known Hindu shrine in central Bangkok.
• At least 18 people were killed, police said.
• 100 people were injured.
• Military junta spokesman says 2nd bomb found undetonated at the scene.
• Area is a popular tourist destination and home to several upscale hotels.

A bomb on a motorcycle exploded on Monday just outside a Hindu shrine in the centre of the Thai capital, killing at least 18 people and injuring 100, police said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Thai forces are fighting a low-level Muslim insurgency in the predominantly Buddhist country's south, although those rebels have rarely launched attacks outside their ethnic Malay heartland.

The explosion reportedly sounded like a thunderclap to people living nearby. Local media was reporting that four foreigners were among those killed, and that most of the injured were tourists from China and Taiwan.

"The perpetrators intended to destroy the economy and tourism because the incident occurred in the heart of the tourism district," Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told Reuters.

The Erawan shrine, on a busy corner near top hotels, shopping centres, offices and a hospital, is a major tourist attraction, especially for visitors from East Asia. Many ordinary Thais also worship there.

The government would set up a "war room" to co-ordinate the response to the blast, the Nation television channel quoted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying.

A Reuters witness at the scene said she saw pieces of human flesh near the blast site, and a soldier later told onlookers to move back, saying they were checking for a second bomb.

Thai soldiers inspect the scene after a bomb exploded outside a shrine in central Bangkok late Monday. (Pornchai Kittiwongsakul/AFP/Getty)

"We are now looking for another two to three bombs as we have found one suspicious object," national police chief Prawut Thawornsiri told Reuters.

"There could be another explosion, so we have blocked off the crime scene and are asking bystanders to move back."

Maj.-Gen. Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak, a spokesman for Thailand's ruling junta, told The Associated Press that at least two bombs had been discovered at the scene.

The first bomb was found inside the shrine compound while the second was found opposite the complex, Weerachon said.

Channel NewsAsia, however, reported that two bombs beyond the one that detonated had been found and both were successfully defused by police.

Bomb technicians searched the area following the initial blast as police suspected there may have been other explosives nearby. A military junta official told AP that at least one additional bomb had been found. (Rungroj Yongrit/Reuters)

After the blast, authorities stepped up security checks at some major city intersections and in tourist areas.

While initial suspicion might fall on militant separatists in the south, Thailand has been riven for a decade by an intense and sometimes violent struggle for power between political factions in Bangkok.

Occasional small blasts have been blamed on one side or the other. Two pipe bombs exploded outside a luxury shopping mall in the same area in February but caused little damage.

Emergency workers scrambled to find survivors and rush them to hospital following the blast. (Sackchai Lalit/AP)

The army has ruled Thailand since May 2014, when it ousted an elected government after months of at times violent anti-government protests.

The intersection was the site of months of anti-government protests in 2010 by supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Dozens were killed in a military crackdown and a shopping centre was set ablaze.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bangkok-bomb-blast-kills-at-least-27-injures-78-1.3193318

***********************

Though this type of thing is not that uncommon in war zones, it is quite strange in the Buddhist tourist mecca of Thailand.

Seems Thailand is now dealing with the same crap the Philippines deals with, with the Abu Sayaf.

Still it will be interesting to see whom if anyone claims responsibility. I'd say "who the Hell bombs a Hindu temple?" but then again that's usually an easy question to answer.

edit: modified the death/injury toll to reflect more accurate information.

[Chalky]

The level anger I am hearing from my Thai friends is 11/10. Poor Thailand has seen too much strife for such easy going people and such an easy going place. I am extremely sick of reading about innocent people being killed by religious and ideological antagonists. Too many nations, nationalist and religious groups are war mongering. Like seriously, who blows up Buddhists?

[Blackberries]

I'm so upset. Its always been a dream of mine to travel to Thailand. I've read so much about what a kind people they are.

This is bull$&!#. This would be like if someone attacked Canada.

[TOMapleLaughs]

War on Terror: About as effective as the War on Drugs.

[Blackberries]

Bangkok bomb blast kills at least 27, injures 78

Updated

• Blast occurred near a well-known Hindu shrine in central Bangkok.
• At least 27 people were killed, police said.
• 78 people were injured.
• Military junta spokesman says 2nd bomb found undetonated at the scene.
• Area is a popular tourist destination and home to several upscale hotels.

A bomb on a motorcycle exploded on Monday just outside a Hindu shrine in the centre of the Thai capital, killing at least 27 people and injuring 78, police said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Thai forces are fighting a low-level Muslim insurgency in the predominantly Buddhist country's south, although those rebels have rarely launched attacks outside their ethnic Malay heartland.

The explosion reportedly sounded like a thunderclap to people living nearby. Local media was reporting that four foreigners were among those killed, and that most of the injured were tourists from China and Taiwan.

"The perpetrators intended to destroy the economy and tourism because the incident occurred in the heart of the tourism district," Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told Reuters.

The Erawan shrine, on a busy corner near top hotels, shopping centres, offices and a hospital, is a major tourist attraction, especially for visitors from East Asia. Many ordinary Thais also worship there.

The government would set up a "war room" to co-ordinate the response to the blast, the Nation television channel quoted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying.

A Reuters witness at the scene said she saw pieces of human flesh near the blast site, and a soldier later told onlookers to move back, saying they were checking for a second bomb.

Thai soldiers inspect the scene after a bomb exploded outside a shrine in central Bangkok late Monday. (Pornchai Kittiwongsakul/AFP/Getty)

"We are now looking for another two to three bombs as we have found one suspicious object," national police chief Prawut Thawornsiri told Reuters.

"There could be another explosion, so we have blocked off the crime scene and are asking bystanders to move back."

Maj.-Gen. Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak, a spokesman for Thailand's ruling junta, told The Associated Press that at least two bombs had been discovered at the scene.

The first bomb was found inside the shrine compound while the second was found opposite the complex, Weerachon said.

Channel NewsAsia, however, reported that two bombs beyond the one that detonated had been found and both were successfully defused by police.

Bomb technicians searched the area following the initial blast as police suspected there may have been other explosives nearby. A military junta official told AP that at least one additional bomb had been found. (Rungroj Yongrit/Reuters)

After the blast, authorities stepped up security checks at some major city intersections and in tourist areas.

While initial suspicion might fall on militant separatists in the south, Thailand has been riven for a decade by an intense and sometimes violent struggle for power between political factions in Bangkok.

Occasional small blasts have been blamed on one side or the other. Two pipe bombs exploded outside a luxury shopping mall in the same area in February but caused little damage.

Emergency workers scrambled to find survivors and rush them to hospital following the blast. (Sackchai Lalit/AP)

The army has ruled Thailand since May 2014, when it ousted an elected government after months of at times violent anti-government protests.

The intersection was the site of months of anti-government protests in 2010 by supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Dozens were killed in a military crackdown and a shopping centre was set ablaze.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bangkok-bomb-blast-kills-at-least-27-injures-78-1.3193318

***********************

Though this type of thing is not that uncommon in war zones, it is quite strange in the Buddhist tourist mecca of Thailand.

Seems Thailand is now dealing with the same crap the Philippines deals with, with the Abu Sayaf.

Still it will be interesting to see whom if anyone claims responsibility. I'd say "who the Hell bombs a Hindu temple?" but then again that's usually an easy question to answer.</p>

CNN seems to be insinuating that too. But they are reporting something now about how a woman seen 15 mins before trying to drop off a bag in front of the temple.

As per the New York Times Correspondent who was just on.

[Ghostsof1915]

Maybe we should start with the concept, these are not terrorists. They are murderers, plain and simple. And should be punished accordingly.

[Losing With Pride]

That's awful.

I am curious to see who claims responsibility.

[taxi]

The level anger I am hearing from my Thai friends is 11/10. Poor Thailand has seen too much strife for such easy going people and such an easy going place. I am extremely sick of reading about innocent people being killed by religious and ideological antagonists. Too many nations, nationalist and religious groups are war mongering. Like seriously, who blows up Buddhists?

The blast was actually at a Hindu shrine.

Also, thankfully, the estimate on the dead has been reduced to 16.

[Darkstar]

I remember seeing that shrine a few months ago in Thailand. Scary news. Thailand is a really easy-going place. I know that there's been some political troubles down there the past few years, but this is still very surprising, especially at a major tourist destination.

[Chalky]

The blast was actually at a Hindu shrine.

Also, thankfully, the estimate on the dead has been reduced to 16.

Thanks for the update. Especially glad to see the number of dead going down not up.

[The Weasel]

My friend walks by that intersection every day.

[desiboynux4lifee*******]

Meanwhile, the ISIS is growing by the day. Maybe if we had real leaders, we would send in troops from different countries to blast the ISIS fools, but nope lets let them grow and grow and let them make videos of their barbaric behaviours. Enjoying the cheap oil Murica?

[TOMapleLaughs]

Meanwhile, the ISIS is growing by the day. Maybe if we had real leaders, we would send in troops different countries to blast the ISIS fools, but nope lets let them grow and grow and let them make videos of their barbaric behaviours. Enjoying the cheap oil Murica?

You'd think an unstable region would make oil prices rise, as usual. But for now the oil prices are low. I think that has to do with a much broader range economic attack on Russia.

The formation of BRICS has led to a US-led reaction to say the least. Russia depends heavily on oil exports, in particular to China, and since BRICS came about oil prices dropped like a stone and China's markets have crashed. China reacted again by devaluing the yuan.

ISIS is just a sideshow compared to the real war going on right now.

[taxi]

Meanwhile, the ISIS is growing by the day. Maybe if we had real leaders, we would send in troops from different countries to blast the ISIS fools, but nope lets let them grow and grow and let them make videos of their barbaric behaviours. Enjoying the cheap oil Murica?

When the USA invades a country it's about oil...also when they don't invade. Bit of a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario.

American oil imports are actually at a 28 year low, and America is on the verge of oil independence. It's also America's independence from oil, which is causing the oil prices. The OPEC nations have purposely dropped the price of oil in order to stop America from further developing it's own oil infrastructure...they want to keep their #1 client.

[Jägermeister]

I was right there 4 months ago, absolutely surreal to think about this happening.

[Tortorella's Rant]

Meanwhile, the ISIS is growing by the day. Maybe if we had real leaders, we would send in troops from different countries to blast the ISIS fools, but nope lets let them grow and grow and let them make videos of their barbaric behaviours. Enjoying the cheap oil Murica?

Except this is the same mentality the coalition had going in and never really addressed the real problems there which are present now. Do it again and expect more of the same. Another group will form and take ISIS spot if they don't come back out of the gutter themselves.