A bomb was detonated in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok killing at least sixteen people and injuring as many as eighty, according to social media and international media outlets.
Explosion outside Erawan shrine, in Bangkok 2015
There have also been reports that a second bomb was found by Thai authorities, according to the BBC.
The bombing was near to the Erawan shrine, a Hindu place of worship and popular tourist attraction according to reports.
According to the Thailand Minister of Defense, Mr. Prawit Wongsuwong, the bomb was made of TNT and “the people who did it [the attack] targeted foreigners and [wanted] to damage tourism and the economy.”
According to the Bangkok Post, hospitals tending to the injured and dead were calling for Chinese translators. The Japanese embassy in Bangkok were also visiting hospitals to confirm whether any of their nationals were killed or injured in the blast.
The Bangkok Post also reported that two bombs were detonated in February near the Siam Paragon shopping mall, which were believed to be politically motivated.
Thai authorities have refused to comment whether this latest attack is connected to political and civil unrest in southern parts of the country.
Thailand has been under military rule since May, 2014 since removing the elected government after months of civil unrest.
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