At Least 20 Dead, Over 120 Injured In Explosion In Central Bangkok

BANGKOK, THAILAND - AUG. 18: At least 20 people, including Chinese and Philippine nationals, died and 123 others were injured in a huge explosion that occurred Monday evening in a busy area of central Bangkok, Thai police said Tuesday. An improvised explosive device went off shortly before 7 p.m. Monday near Erawan Shrine, which draws many locals and tourists, close to the Ratchaprasong intersection in a commercial district hosting major shopping malls and upscale hotels. Thai authorities also discovered a separate bomb nearby and removed it. The police have sealed off the area for investigations. No one has claimed responsibility so far, but police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said the explosion was likely a terrorist attack as the bomb had been planted. A senior security official involved in investigating the incident suggested that those opposed to the current interim government launched after former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was ousted in May 2014 may be behind the attack. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan said, "The bombing is aimed at destroying the economy and tourism of Thailand as the incident took place at a central business area, and there is Erawan Shrine, famous among foreign and Thai tourists." The interim government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has deployed military and police officers in various parts of Bangkok, including major tourist sites, while 438 public schools in the city were closed Tuesday. Authorities are analyzing surveillance camera footage in an effort to find the perpetrators.
BANGKOK, THAILAND - AUG. 18: At least 20 people, including Chinese and Philippine nationals, died and 123 others were injured in a huge explosion that occurred Monday evening in a busy area of central Bangkok, Thai police said Tuesday. An improvised explosive device went off shortly before 7 p.m. Monday near Erawan Shrine, which draws many locals and tourists, close to the Ratchaprasong intersection in a commercial district hosting major shopping malls and upscale hotels. Thai authorities also discovered a separate bomb nearby and removed it. The police have sealed off the area for investigations. No one has claimed responsibility so far, but police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said the explosion was likely a terrorist attack as the bomb had been planted. A senior security official involved in investigating the incident suggested that those opposed to the current interim government launched after former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was ousted in May 2014 may be behind the attack. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan said, "The bombing is aimed at destroying the economy and tourism of Thailand as the incident took place at a central business area, and there is Erawan Shrine, famous among foreign and Thai tourists." The interim government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has deployed military and police officers in various parts of Bangkok, including major tourist sites, while 438 public schools in the city were closed Tuesday. Authorities are analyzing surveillance camera footage in an effort to find the perpetrators.
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Editorial #:
484664020
Collection:
Kyodo News
Date created:
August 17, 2015
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Rights-ready
Release info:
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Clip length:
00:01:21:13
Location:
Bangkok, Thailand
Mastered to:
QuickTime 8-bit Photo-JPEG HD 1920x1080 29.97p
Source:
Kyodo News
Object name:
15-08-17-1-2.mov