Police Say Man in Photos is Bangkok Bomber

The Thai Society at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London said: “We… are deeply saddened to hear the news of Miss Chan “Vivian” Wing-Yan, a Law Student at SOAS, who passed away yesterday after a bomb blast in central Bangkok”.

The bomb struck early on Monday evening as worshippers and tourists crowded into the Erawan shrine in the Thai capital’s commercial heart, but no-one has yet claimed responsibility.

Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, the Philippines and Singapore all had one or more nationals wounded, according to the list.

Friends said Ms Chan was a huge fan of Hong Kong “Cantopop” music and one of her favourite singers, Joey Yung, posted a photo of the pair together and a message on her Facebook page.

Wearing a yellow shirt and with shaggy, dark hair, the young man then stands up and walks out holding a blue plastic bag and what appears to be a mobile phone.

National police spokesman Prawut Thavorn said the man left the scene aboard a motorcycle taxi, which are common in Bangkok, and the blast occurred three minutes later. Police were trying to track down the taxi driver.

Asked Tuesday if there was any information on a possible motive for the attack, police spokesman Prawut said it was too soon to reach any conclusions. The junta has ruled the nation since May last year after toppling the elected government of Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck. Islamic militants have carried out many attacks in other parts of the Southeast Asia, including an incident back in 2002 in Bali, killing 202 people. In 2010, more than 90 people were killed over two months in protests centred on the same intersection where Monday’s bomb went off. But none of those attacks included a bomb that seemed intended to produce mass casualties.

On Tuesday, Bangkok saw a second explosion occur when a device blew up at a ferry port, but no injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, Royal Thai Army chief and Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr said the attack didn’t match the usual mechanisms followed by separatist rebels in southern Thailand, thereby targeting groups at this very hour wouldn’t be a good idea.

In July, Thailand deported 109 Uighur to China – sparking anger in Turkey, home to a large Uighur diaspora – while feeding concern among rights groups that they could be mistreated upon their return.

“This is the worst incident that has ever happened in Thailand”, he said.

“(The attackers) had the clear target of destroying our economy and tourism… and discrediting the government”, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters.

On Mon night, Aug 17, a blast rocked The Erawan shrine, which sits at the foot of the five-star Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel.

Similarly, the U.S. government released a statement extended sympathies to the victims and warning U.S. citizens in Bangkok to avoid the area.