Here's What We Know About The 6 Bombs That Exploded In Bangkok In A Day
A seventh explosive device was recovered before it blew up.
By Sadho Ram — 02 Aug 2019, 05:06 PM
Earlier today, 2 August, Bangkok was rocked by six bombs that went off at three different locations in the city
Of the six bombs, three exploded at the Government Complex in Chaeng Wattana, two blew up in the Chong Nonsi area, and one exploded in the Suan Luang area.
According to Police Colonel Kamtorn Uicharoen, a seventh explosive device that was placed at the Government Complex in Chaeng Wattana failed to go off.
The six bombs were of two kinds
The ones that exploded in the Chaeng Wattana and Chong Nonsi areas were "improvised explosive devices (IEDs) triggered by a timer" while the sixth one was a "ping-pong bomb", Police Colonel Kamtorn told Reuters.
Multiple people were injured
According to a report in the Independent, four people were injured in the blasts.
The UK-based English daily said that a scene at one bombsite showed three street cleaners looking dazed and getting treatment from medics.
One of those injured is a security guard who was close to the 77-storey King Power Mahanakhon building. The area was partly cordoned off by police.
Bangkok was hosting an Asean security summit
The blasts took place as the Thai capital was hosting a major Southeast Asian security meeting with world powers including the United States, China and Russia.
However, it's not clear yet if the bombings were designed to target the summit.
According to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), the blasts appear to be symbolic attacks aimed at embarrassing the government during the summit.
Prior to the six blasts today, Thai police had found two fake bombs on Thursday near the venue of the security meeting
While the packages prompted a brief security scare, the meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was not interrupted.
Following the discovery of the two fake bombs, police arrested two men.
While no one has taken responsibility for the blasts, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha condemned the act
"On the bombing this morning, I would like to condemn those causing the situation which destroys peace and damages the country's image. I have instructed officials to take care of public safety and those affected promptly," PM Prayuth said.
Meanwhile, government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said the prime minister had ordered an investigation, adding that the public is urged not to panic.
