Bangkok bomb: Explosion outside popular Erawan Shrine; police confirms bomb planted by woman

Central Bangkok has been hit by a deadly bomb explosion outside a religious shrine, killing at least 27 people and wounding several others late Monday. Among those dead, four of them are reported to be foreigners. Most of the injured were tourists from China and Taiwan.

A policeman has confirmed that the bomb was planted by a woman in a bush, Telegraph journalist David Eimer, who was at the scene, reported. “All the victims were either inside or very close to the temple," the policeman said.

Thailand's defence minister, Prawit Wongsuwong, said that the bombers might have targeted the foreign tourists to erode Thailand’s tourist industry. "It was a TNT bomb... the people who did it targeted foreigners and to damage tourism and the economy," he added.

The street was strewn with body parts of those killed in the explosion outside the Erawan Shrine in the central Chidlom district of the Thai capital. Police and ambulances rushed to the scene after the bomb went off around 7 p.m. local time (10 p.m. AEST).

National Police spokesman Lietenant General Prawut Thavornsiri informed AFP that a bomb had detonated. He failed to confirm its kind, saying it can be confirmed only after the investigation.

The explosion took place just outside the popular Erawan shrine that houses Hindu god Brahma and is visited by thousands of Buddhist devotees every single day. It is situated on a main road through Bangkok’s commercial hub, surrounded by three major shopping malls.

Several major hotel chains have branches in the vicinity, including Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Renaissance and Grand Hyatt. Lumphini Park, Bangkok’s only bit of green space, lies a few blocks to the south.

Meanwhile, there have been unconfirmed reports of a second bomb near the explosion site. A bomb squad is said to be in the process of deactivating it, Telegraph UK reported.

Smith said the explosion has put tourists’ safety in jeopardy and Thailand’s tourism industry is running low on profit. “The country is popular among backpackers and winter sun seekers, and the bombing comes as many Britons are returning from their summer holidays and starting to think about a winter break.” he added.

The British Foreign Office has just tweeted a link for travel guidance to Thailand. Readers are informed that the British Embassy has been in the process of monitoring the situation. "You should monitor news reports and take extra care," the embassy said.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.