UPDATING All Day, Every Day
Thailand's Public Health Department put the toll at 18 confirmed dead, and 117 wounded. A separate source said wounded included Mr Donovan Chan, Miss Zhang Ying Chen, Miss Michelle Heng, Miss Sales Namu, Mr Ko Ching Ming, Mrs Liuy Chen, and a girl, Zhang Yi Hang.
Original Report
PHUKET: As many as 27 people have been reported killed in an explosion that rocked a popular shopping area of central Bangkok tonight.
Close to 10pm, one national television station put the toll at 27 dead and 80 injured. But there was no official confirmation of a toll of those proportions.
A paramedic group reported that 67 wounded were being treated at 10 hospitals. Later in the night, the toll of wounded was put at 81 in 14 hospitals.
The blast took place at 6.55pm at the Erawan shrine in front of the Gaysorn shopping centre at Ratchaprasong, a popular spot by day and night.
Security camera shows moment of blast
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33964093
Foreign tourists are likely to be among the injured or dead. Thirty wounded have been reported as being taken to the Royal Thai Police Hospital.
At least 12 people are believed to have been killed, said Thailand's Police Commander, Somyot Pumphanmeung, who retires next month.
Photos from the scene appear to show an injured Caucasian woman being taken away on a stretcher. A BBC staffer - the BBC office is nearby - administered aid to a Chinese man, but was unable to save him.
''There are scenes of the most appalling carnage here right in the centre of Bangkok,'' reported correspondent Jonathan Head.
The blast is expected to provoke a security crackdown by the military government, which has been in control in Thailand since May 22 last year without major incidents until tonight.
A call went out after 8.40pm for blood donors. That call was followed by a call for Chinese translators at the police hospital.
Phuket's Governor, Nisit Jansomwong, announced that police on the holiday island should take extra care. There has been no indication yet as to the motives for the Bangkok bomb.
Bangkok remains an open, tolerant city, which is its great charm.
A new commander of the Royal Thai Police, Major General Jaktip Chaijinda, was announced by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha last week. He takes over in October.
Thailand is Breaking News worldwide in a very sad way. RIP.
Be strong, be resilient.
Bring the murderers to justice.
Posted by Lena on August 17, 2015 21:07