Bangkok -Thailand authorities have said that death toll in the Bangkok explosion has hit 12 as against the initial toll of 2 deaths. The bomb went off on Monday outside a Hindu shrine.
Defence Minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, said attack which happened in a commercial district in the capital was aimed at destroying the country’s economy and tourism industry.
Though there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, it is suspected its perpetrators target the economy and tourism as the incident occurred in the heart of the tourism district.
Prawit said Erawan shrine, on a busy corner near top hotels, shopping centres, offices and a hospital, was a major tourist attraction, especially for visitors from East Asia.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-Ocha, said government would set up a “war room” to coordinate the response to the blast.
National Police Chief, Prawut Thawornsiris said the bomb killed 12 people and wounded 78, most of whom were taken to the nearby police hospital.
He said authorities had stepped up security checks at some major city intersections and in tourist areas.
The police chief said that attack was aimed at raising tension when the city was under martial law.
The army has ruled Thailand since May 2014, when it ousted an elected government after months of, at times, violent anti-government protests.
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The shrine intersection was the site of months of anti-government protests in 2010 by supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. (Reuters/NAN)