Bomb blast rocks central Bangkok, 12 killed

A bomb has exploded outside a religious shrine in central Bangkok, killing at least 12 people and wounding scores more.

The explosion took place at the Rajprasong intersection, which was the center of many contentious political demonstrations in recent years, on Monday. The shrine is located on a main road through Bangkok’s commercial hub and is surrounded by three major shopping malls.

“Our initial findings are it is a bomb inside the shrine,” Thailand’s police chief Chakthip Chijinda told Channel 9 television.

The death toll is likely to increase with many seriously injured and undergoing emergency procedures.

Meanwhile, Thai PBS television said at least 15 people were killed.

At least two other bombs were found at the scene, said Major General Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak, a spokesman for Thailand’s ruling junta. He said at least one had detonated.

Weerachon also noted that dozens were injured, and that some foreigners were among the injured.

“It was a TNT bomb… the people who did it targeted foreigners and to damage tourism and the economy,” Thailand’s Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwong said.

Charred and shattered motorcycles, body parts and broken glass were scattered across the street after the bomb went off outside the Erawan Shrine in the downtown Chidlom district of the Thai capital.

“I can confirm it was a bomb, we can’t tell which kind yet, we are checking,” national police spokesman Lieutenant General Prawut Thavornsiri said.”We are checking to see if there is a second bomb.”