Deadly blast rocks Thailand’s capital, killing at least 20

Asia-Pacific, News August 18, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

A bomb explosion inside one of Bangkok’s most popular tourist attractions killed at least 19 people and injured 123 others – mostly foreign tourists – on Monday, according to Bangkok Post.

The Nation TV channel quoted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying the government would set up a “war room” to co-ordinate its response.

National police chief Somyot Poompummuang said that Thais, Chinese and Filipino are among the dead.

Police are looking for a “woman wearing a black shirt” in connection with this week’s deadly bombing at Bangkok’s Erawan Shrine, a senior police spokesman told CNN.con

“I would urge her to come forward to provide information to police,” Lt. Gen. Prawut Thavornsiri told reporters without elaborating.
Earlier, two men captured on surveillance video entering the shrine ahead of Monday’s bombing turned themselves in, but it does not appear they’re linked to the attack, Prawut said.

Scenes from Thailand bombing on Monday, 17 August 2015. Photo courtesy: Bangkok Post

At least 10 people may have taken part in the bombing, but the attack is unlikely to be linked to international terrorist groups, Thai authorities say.

Thai authorities have said they are hunting a foreigner and at least two other men suspected of carrying out the devastating bombing of a Bangkok shrine that killed at least 20 people.

National police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said on Wednesday that the prime suspect had been overheard speaking a foreign language other than English.

Prawut also said the suspect looked like he may have been from the Middle East, South Asia, or Central Asia, using a Thai term to describe light-skinned individuals from those regions.