At least 2 bombs found at scene of Thai shrine blast

More than 80 people were injured in the huge blast at Rajprasong intersection, which lies in a central Bangkok district popular among tourists and locals for the Erawan Shrine, a famous place of worship for Hindus. Some local media reported at least five people killed, while the Bangkok Post reported at least 15 deaths.

Along with many hotels, there also are numerous shopping centers in the area, Google Maps shows, including the Platinum Fashion Mall and Central World, reportedly one of the largest shopping malls in the world.

The bomb exploded at 7 pm (5:30 IST) outside Erawan Shrine, which is dedicated to Lord Brahma, in the downtown Chidlom district, police said. “Planting a bomb there means they want to see a lot of people dead”.

Police said first an improvised explosive device fastened to a utility pole in front of the temple at the Ratchaprasong intersection detonated which was immediately followed by a motorbike bomb blast, causing two nearby taxis to explode. “It was horrific”, Cunningham said, adding that people several hundred metres away had been injured. A Reuters witness at the scene said she saw pieces of human flesh near the blast site, and a soldier later told onlookers to move back, saying they were checking for a second bomb.

Vehicle bombs are nearly unknown in Bangkok, but have been used in southern Thailand, where a Muslim separatist insurgency has been flaring for several years.

Occasional small blasts have been blamed on one side or the other.

At least two bombs were found at the scene, said Maj.

“Whoever planted this bomb is cruel and aimed to kill”, said national police chief Somyot Poompummuang.

Thailand has been led by a military junta since a coup in May last year, which overthrew the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra.