What you need to know
A popular tourist attraction near the Erawan shrine in Bangkok, Thailand exploded on the evening of August 17.
Following the warehouse explosion on August 12 in the New Binhai Area of Tianjin, China, a popular tourist attraction near the Erawan shrine in Bangkok, Thailand exploded on the evening of August 17.
According to Reuters, the explosion has already caused 27 deaths and at least 125 people were injured.
1. Scene of the crime: The Erawan shrine in Bangkok
The Erawan shrine located at the Central World department store in Bangkok is one of Thailand’s most prosperous incense burning strongholds. Located between the borders of downtown Rachadamri road and Phloen Chit road, the shrine was built in 1956 and it is rumored that it was built during the construction of the Erawan hotel. Due to lack of industrial safety, many accidents took place and the hotel was removed. The altar was preserved and became a must-go tourist attraction.
This site is exactly where the explosion occurred.
Reuters reports, National Police Chief Somyot Poompanmuang told reporters the blast was caused by a pipe bomb.
CNA reports, the minister of the Ministry of Defense in Thailand Prawit Wongsuwong says, “Using TNT, the criminals targeted foreigners, aiming to destroy the tourist industry and the economy."
According to Reuters, this bomb explosion killed 27 people. Among the victims were people from China and Taiwan.
(Site of the explosion on Ratchaprasong Road)
(CCTV obtained the first images of the explosion)
(Thailandfans Forum posted pictures of the explosion site)
(Coconuts TV images of the explosion)