Conference delegates warned as Bangkok rocked by deadly blast

ASIA – Conference and business travellers in Bangkok have been warned to stay in their hotels after the Thai capital was rocked by an explosion today. The blast took place at a busy intersection located in the central business and shopping district of downtown Bangkok at approximately 19:00. According to local reports there are 12 fatalities with a dozen injured in the blast. Eyewitnesses reported body parts and mangled scooters were strewn across the street after the explosion outside the Erawan shrine in the central Chidlom district of the Thai capital. Dozens of ambulances attended the scene and a nearby metro station has been closed. A spokesman for Thailand’s ruling junta said a second bomb at the scene had been found and made safe. A spokesman for destination management company Destination Asia said: “At this present time authorities are unsure as to what the motivation was for the explosion as attacks of this magnitude in Bangkok are extremely rare. Destination Asia is currently advising clients to remain close to their hotels this evening and we are in the process of contacting all clients where possible. 

At this time Destination Asia (Thailand) is closely monitoring the situation and we will update you again when more news is released.” Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha called it the “worst-ever attack” on Thailand. he said: “There have been minor bombs or just noise, but this time they aim for innocent lives. They want to destroy our economy, our tourism.”