A bomb has exploded close to a shrine in the centre of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more.
Reports say a second bomb has been found in the area and made safe.
No-one has yet said they carried out the attack, which took place close to the Erawan shrine in Bangkok’s central Chidlom district.
The shrine is a major tourist attraction. The Thai government said the attack was aimed at foreigners.
Local media report that tourists, including Chinese, may be among the casualties.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwong said: “It was a TNT bomb… the people who did it targeted foreigners and to damage tourism and the economy.”
The Nation TV channel quoted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying the government would set up a “war room” to co-ordinate its response.
Nation put the death toll as high as 27, saying at least three foreigners were killed, but there is no official confirmation.
The explosion occurred at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT). Some reports said the bomb had been on a motorcycle, others that it was tied to an electricity pole.
‘Really graphic’
The BBC’s Jonathan Head, who is at the scene, says there is a huge amount of chaos, with body parts scattered everywhere.
He says this is a very well-known shrine in the centre of Bangkok, next to a five-star hotel, and that people around the shrine were hit by the full force of the blast.
One bystander, Alessandro Ursic, told the BBC: “When I arrived they had already cleared the bodies from the ground outside the Erawan shrine but there were and there are still pieces of human flesh strewn around the intersection; it’s really graphic.”
Another, James Sales, said: “I went into where the shrine is, where there were lots of bodies. I saw at least nine people unfortunately who looked like they had died and lots of Chinese tourists as well.
“I tried to administer CPR to one particular guy who was in his 40s… and he didn’t make it.”
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