Bangkok was rocked by bomb explosions this morning, injuring at least four people in the blast. Police in Thailand have said they are investigating the cause of the six explosions. Thailand is a popular county with British tourists – but how safe is it to travel to? The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have now updated their advice to Bangkok.
The FCO wrote on their site: “There has been a report of explosions at three locations in Bangkok.
“Initial information is that these have occurred at the Government Complex recreational park on Chaeng Wattana Road, near Chong Nonsi BTS (Skytrain) station, and in sub-soi (a side road) 57/1 of Rama 9 road in Bangkok. We are monitoring the situation.”
They shared their advice to British holidaymakers: “Please follow the advice of Thai authorities regarding the explosions.”
Bombs were found or detonated at a number of locations, including two at Skytrain stations.
The first blasts were heard before 9am at local time in Bangkok near the city centre.
Three of those injured in the bomb explosions were female street cleaners while the fourth was in the 77-storey King Power Mahanakhon building when a device went off. None of the victims were seriously hurt, the Erawan Medical Centre said.
A seventh explosive device was recovered before it went off, according to Colonel Kamtorn Uicharoen from Bangkok’s police force.
Bangkok is currently hosting a regional security meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their counterparts from world powers including the United States, China and Russia.
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are attending the forum along with other regional and global officials.
Mongkol Hanchai, 35, was at the BTS Nong Chonsi station when the first explosion took place.
“At around 8am I heard a loud explosion,” he said. “At first I thought it was a loud power generator that had exploded but it wasn’t.
“At 8.30am I heard another bomb. This time I was close to the explosions. I saw a flash and fire and smoke. It was next to the King Power MahaNakhon.
“I heard the blast and it was so Loud, I was hit by a shock wave. I was worried I was injured. I checked myself but I had no injuries.
“Fortunately it was early in the morning so there were not too many crowded in the area.
“From the second explosion I saw the dirt blow up in the air near the tower. The first explosion I didn’t see anything, only hear the loud sound.
“I think the person who set off the bombs was not trying to hurt anyone, if they wanted to kill someone I would have been dead now.”
On Thursday, Thai police said they had found two fake bombs on Thursday near the venue of the regional security meeting. Police said two men had been arrested in connection with the fake bombs.