Explosion rocks Bangkok commercial hub

Rescue workers carry one of the injured from the scene of the explosion.

Sixteen people, including four foreigners, were killed and 117 others injured in a powerful bomb blast inside a hugely popular Lord Brahma temple in a crowded area here on Monday in the first such attack in the Thai capital. The bomb was apparently placed near the grill inside the shrine compound.

Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters there were “still anti-government groups out there” but gave no further details.

“We’re surrounded by bodies, pieces of bodies”.

The last major bombings in Bangkok occurred on New Year’s Eve at the end of 2006, when a series of bombs at celebrations around town killed at least three people and wounded dozens.

Scores were wounded in the explosion.

There are reports of several people injured after the blast occured near the Erawan shrine tourist attraction but officials have yet to confirm this. Many Thais also worship there.

“They are just garbage bags”, he said. Shops were open at the time of the explosion.

It is understood the device was a pipe bomb and was planted on a motorbike.

Police have not officially stated whether they believe the bomb had a specific target.

“The criminals aimed to destroy the economy and tourism as the incident took place in the heart of the city”, Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters.

The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said it had no information about Israeli casualties. It advises New Zealanders in Bangkok to keep away from the downtown area, to be highly vigilant and take heed of instructions from local authorities on how to stay safe.

Police initially sealed off the scene near the popular Erawan Shrine because, they said at the time, a second bomb in the area remained active and needed to be defused.

Police teams were deployed to the blood-splattered site early on Tuesday, some wearing white gloves and carrying plastic bags, searching for clues.

According to Reuters, Thai forces are fighting with a low-level Muslim insurgency, but the rebels have rarely attacked.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing.

July: The government says a bomb that killed one at a bus stop in central Bangkok was designed to create disorder.

Thailand is now under military rule following a May 2014 coup that deposed a government backed by Thaksin. The capital has been relatively calm since then.