Explosion in Bangkok [17 Aug 15]

[Hvr]

I know we have several members who regularly visit or live in BKK. Here's hoping all are ok with the bombing there this evening:

A bomb exploded outside a religious shrine in central Bangkok late Monday, killing at least two people and wounding scores more, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.

Body parts were scattered across the street after the bomb went off outside the Erawan Shrine in the downtown Chidlom district of the Thai capital.

"I can confirm it was a bomb, we can’t tell which kind yet, we are checking," national police spokesman Lietenant General Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP.

 

[Flashback]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I know we have several members who regularly visit or live in BKK. Here's hoping all are ok with the bombing there this evening:

Wow, thanks for the info. Have just arrived 6 hours or so ago.

 

[Happy Trails]

Explosion in Bangkok [17th August 2015]

An explosion near Bangkok’s popular Erawan Shrine has left several people dead and scores injured Monday. The blast detonated at one of the city's most popular tourist attractions around 7.10pm An unidentified policeman interviewed by Western media on the Internet said at 7.37pm the cause definitely a bomb...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/658688/scores-killed-hurt-as-bomb-blast-rocks-bangkok-tourist-attraction

 

[Hvr]

I posted this in the TOT thread and have now looked at the exact location on google maps. Very close to the Intercontinental and Holiday Inn hotels on Ploen Chit road and near Chit Lom BTS.

I have stayed at both the above hotels and know the area quite well. Initial reports of a foreigner killed are not surprising given the area and of course this is a developing story.

 

[Pushka]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Wow, thanks for the info. Have just arrived 6 hours or so ago.

Keep checking the twitter feed then. Best use for it to stay in touch in situations like this.

 

[Flashback]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Indeed. Seems fairly quiet down town atm anyway. Just waiting for another AFFer to grab some dinner

 

[kevinkhchan]

Watched CNN then BBC for the past few hours.

It's in front of the Erawan Shrine.

Reports of fatalities are oscillating between 12 up to 27 for now.

There appear to be quite a few Chinese and/or Taiwanese tourists affected.

Some of the injuries at the scene have been described quite horrific.

 

[Dr Ralph]

This is right in the heart of the tourist area of Bangkok. Diagonally across from Central World.

I've been in this area hundred of times over the years.

 

[Isochronous]

Shocking news. Identity of the perpetrators unclear.

Was chilled to hear that the explosion was near InterContinental - I stayed there about a year ago and had a lovely time.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I know we have several members who regularly visit or live in BKK. Here's hoping all are ok with the bombing there this evening:

Indeed. Seems fairly quiet down town atm anyway. Just waiting for another AFFer to grab some dinner

It was good to catch up over dinner.

On reflection, I think I was passing the area at the time of the blast. I was on a train from Phaya Thai to Siam BTS station at about 1920 tonight.

A bit too close to home for my liking.

 

[JessicaTam]

I was passing that area tonight on the way to my hotel a maybe ten minutes after the blast. I didn't know at the time why, but there were sirens from all directions converging on the area as I passed on the BTS.

*shudder*

 

[Anna]

I was passing that area tonight on the way to my hotel a maybe ten minutes after the blast.

Jimmy Barnes was nearby too, according to ABC24.

 

[yohy?!]

an horrific act - the shrine is known as 'four faces buddha' in HK (even though it is a Hindu shrine) - people believe it is connected to the same 'higher power' and many Chinese tourists visit to pray here.

 

[drron]

DFAT has been warning for at least 3 years of possible terrorist attacks in Bangkok and coughet.Mentioned a couple of months ago in the press-

. Around 50 Australians die every year in coughet due to motorcycle accidents, drugs, drink spiking or natural causes. These events only put a minor dent in the numbers of fun-seeking Australians heading there. Though 122 Australians died in Thailand in 2013, it remains as popular as ever. DFAT advises to 'Exercise a High Degree of Caution' due to the possibility of civil unrest and threat of terrorist attack, including Bangkok and coughet

Don't go there: the destinations you need to avoid

Scary to think you walked past this place a month ago and before that we had dinner with Rooflyer in the Gaysorn Plaza just across the street.

 

[penegal]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I am not in Bangkok this week, but quite close to home for me. As a Hyatt Diamond, I often stay at the Grand Hyatt Erwan.

 

[JohnK]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I know we have several members who regularly visit or live in BKK. Here's hoping all are ok with the bombing there this evening:

That's not good at all.

 

[JohnK]

Sad news to wake up to this morning.

I don't visit the area often these days but still know the area quite well.

 

[kamchatsky]

Very sad to hear this. Went past that temple regularly when I stayed at IC Bangkok a while back.

I pray for the victims, families and Thai businesses (which will be affected by this, and may cut local jobs).

 

[Red Roo]

Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragic event.

All Qantas Group employees have been accounted for. Hope all AFFers travelling through the area are also safe and well.

While there are no changes to our operations, options are available for passengers travelling to and from Bangkok between 18-25 August 2015: bit.ly/1hPaEjS

 

[JessicaTam]

Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragic event.

All Qantas Group employees have been accounted for. Hope all AFFers travelling through the area are also safe and well.

While there are no changes to our operations, options are available for passengers travelling to and from Bangkok between 18-25 August 2015: bit.ly/1hPaEjS

Thanks for the advice, Red Roo.