The people behind the Bangkok bomb blast that killed 19 people were targeting tourists, Thai officials say.
"The perpetrators intended to destroy the economy and tourism because the incident occurred in the heart of the tourist district," Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told Reuters.
Petploy said authorities discovered two unexploded bombs inside the Erawan Shrine after he had arrived, The New York Times reported.
The bombs were in small travel bags.
It's a real shame, but SE asia has had active terrorist groups for a long time.StevieTNZ said:No one has yet claimed responsibility for the bombs. What a tragedy. No where is safe to travel anymore.
Thai authorities fear more attacks may be planned for the Thai capital after the second bomb attack in less than 24 hours.
National police spokesman said the second bomb used in an attack on Tuesday afternoon was similar to Monday evening's bomb at the Erawan shrine in central Bangkok.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/7...bing-attempt-fails-as-first-bomber-identifiedMeanwhile, a Thai police spokesman says a man seen in security video wearing a yellow T-shirt and carrying a backpack is believed to have set off the first explosion, which detonated at a central Bangkok shrine killing 22 people and injured more than 100.
"The yellow shirt guy is not just the suspect. He is the bomber," Police Lieutenant General Prawut Thavornsiri told The Associated Press.
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police said they arrested a foreigner on Saturday who matched the description of a man who left a bag at the site of a Bangkok blast that killed 20 people nearly two weeks ago.
Police raided a decaying four-floor apartment block in a suburb of the capital and found "multiple" fake passports and bomb-making materials they said may have been used in the Aug. 17 bombing at a Hindu shrine, the deadliest in the country's history.
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The Bangkok bomb blast was a terrorist attack that occurred on August 17, 2015 in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. A bomb was detonated at the Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist attraction, killing 20 people and injuring over 120 others.
The bomb blast was carried out by a network of individuals with connections to a separatist movement in southern Thailand. However, no specific group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack.
Tourists were targeted in the Bangkok bomb blast because the Erawan Shrine is a well-known and highly frequented tourist attraction in the city. The attackers likely wanted to cause chaos and instill fear in a popular and crowded area.
Yes, there have been other terrorist attacks targeting tourists in Bangkok. In 2015, a bomb exploded at the Sathorn Pier, a popular tourist spot, injuring 4 people. In 2017, a series of bombs were detonated at shopping malls and other tourist areas, injuring several people.
The Bangkok bomb blast has had a negative impact on tourism in Thailand. Many countries have issued travel warnings for Thailand and some tourists have chosen to cancel their trips. The Thai government has implemented stricter security measures to ensure the safety of tourists and to prevent future attacks.