PHUKET: Police in Bangkok have issued a partial list of the nationalities and names of the 22 dead they believe were killed by Bangkok's Erawan Shrine bomber last night.
Some of the bodies are in an identifiable state. Others, blown to pieces, will require DNA analysis.
According to the Royal Thai Police, the list of dead includes four Thais, two Malaysians, two Hong Kongers, one Chinese, one Indonesian, one where the nationality has yet to be determined, and at least eight victims whose identities at present cannot be specified.
The 120-plus wounded include 42 Thais, 28 Chinese, twp each from Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore, with other identified victims from Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Oman. At least 43 non-Thais have yet to have their identity and nationality determined.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand issued a statement as follows:
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to convey the deepest sympathy and condolences to all the victims of the blast and their families at this traumatic time. The thoughts and prayers of the Thai people are with you.
Thai authorities have stepped up security at key locations in Bangkok following the explosion that took place on Monday (17 August 2015 around 19.00 hrs.) at the city???s Ratchaprasong Intersection. The explosion is currently under police investigation.
The spokesman of the Royal Thai Police stated that there have been a total of 22 casualties [deaths] and 123 injuries as of 18 August 2015 at 07.00 hrs. The concerned authorities are contacting the families of victims of the blast and helping the injured to get medical treatment in local hospitals.
The Thai tourism industry has mobilised the support of its members to assist and facilitate tourists affected by the incident, such as providing interpreters and helping with immediate travel arrangements.
The Royal Thai Police have requested that locals and tourists exercise caution when out and about in Bangkok. The Police have also increased their presence and put extra security in place at all of Bangkok???s key tourist areas in response to the incident.
Citywide patrols are in place to ensure the safety of locals and visitors to the Thai capital.
Meanwhile, overall life in the city is continuing as normal. All public services and banks are available to the public. As for tourist businesses, other tourist sites, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and shopping malls remain open, while transportation links, major roads and airports continue to operate.
This includes Bangkok's BTS Skytrain and MRT services and both Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports receive domestic and international flights.
In addition, events that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is supporting remain as scheduled, such as the 'Way of Silk, the Way of Thai: A Tribute to Her Majesty the Queen' silk exhibition in Bangkok during 17-30 August, TBEX Asia 2015 during15-17 October and the nationwide Loi Krathong festivities in November, as well as all other domestic and overseas marketing activities.
TAT is monitoring and assessing the situation in Bangkok and will be providing regular updates.
Useful contact for tourists: TAT Call Centre 1672.
A statement from the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, read:
AUSTRALIA CONDEMNS BOMBING IN BANGKOK
Australia strongly condemns the bombing of the Erawan Hindu Shrine at Ratchaprasong, Bangkok on 17 August.
The thoughts of all Australians are with the injured and the families of those who have lost their lives through this dreadful act.
I have spoken with our Ambassador in Bangkok this morning and I can confirm that the Australian Embassy is working closely with Thai authorities. There is no evidence at this stage that Australian nationals are among the deceased or seriously injured.
Australia will continue to liaise closely with Thai authorities in relation to this attack and will work to strengthen our bilateral and regional counter-terrorism cooperation.
Some of the bodies are in an identifiable state. Others, blown to pieces, will require DNA analysis.
According to the Royal Thai Police, the list of dead includes four Thais, two Malaysians, two Hong Kongers, one Chinese, one Indonesian, one where the nationality has yet to be determined, and at least eight victims whose identities at present cannot be specified.
The 120-plus wounded include 42 Thais, 28 Chinese, twp each from Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore, with other identified victims from Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Oman. At least 43 non-Thais have yet to have their identity and nationality determined.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand issued a statement as follows:
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to convey the deepest sympathy and condolences to all the victims of the blast and their families at this traumatic time. The thoughts and prayers of the Thai people are with you.
Thai authorities have stepped up security at key locations in Bangkok following the explosion that took place on Monday (17 August 2015 around 19.00 hrs.) at the city???s Ratchaprasong Intersection. The explosion is currently under police investigation.
The spokesman of the Royal Thai Police stated that there have been a total of 22 casualties [deaths] and 123 injuries as of 18 August 2015 at 07.00 hrs. The concerned authorities are contacting the families of victims of the blast and helping the injured to get medical treatment in local hospitals.
The Thai tourism industry has mobilised the support of its members to assist and facilitate tourists affected by the incident, such as providing interpreters and helping with immediate travel arrangements.
The Royal Thai Police have requested that locals and tourists exercise caution when out and about in Bangkok. The Police have also increased their presence and put extra security in place at all of Bangkok???s key tourist areas in response to the incident.
Citywide patrols are in place to ensure the safety of locals and visitors to the Thai capital.
Meanwhile, overall life in the city is continuing as normal. All public services and banks are available to the public. As for tourist businesses, other tourist sites, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and shopping malls remain open, while transportation links, major roads and airports continue to operate.
This includes Bangkok's BTS Skytrain and MRT services and both Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports receive domestic and international flights.
In addition, events that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is supporting remain as scheduled, such as the 'Way of Silk, the Way of Thai: A Tribute to Her Majesty the Queen' silk exhibition in Bangkok during 17-30 August, TBEX Asia 2015 during15-17 October and the nationwide Loi Krathong festivities in November, as well as all other domestic and overseas marketing activities.
TAT is monitoring and assessing the situation in Bangkok and will be providing regular updates.
Useful contact for tourists: TAT Call Centre 1672.
A statement from the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, read:
AUSTRALIA CONDEMNS BOMBING IN BANGKOK
Australia strongly condemns the bombing of the Erawan Hindu Shrine at Ratchaprasong, Bangkok on 17 August.
The thoughts of all Australians are with the injured and the families of those who have lost their lives through this dreadful act.
I have spoken with our Ambassador in Bangkok this morning and I can confirm that the Australian Embassy is working closely with Thai authorities. There is no evidence at this stage that Australian nationals are among the deceased or seriously injured.
Australia will continue to liaise closely with Thai authorities in relation to this attack and will work to strengthen our bilateral and regional counter-terrorism cooperation.
