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Bangkok shrugs off bomb blasts

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BANGKOK, 5 August 2019: Security has been stepped up in the Thai capital following a series of bomb blasts last Friday.

Addressing a press briefing at the weekend government spokesperson, NarumonPinyosinwat, reassured the public that the blasts would not impact on the country’s economy or the tourism sector.

She said the law and order situation was under control adding that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha was closely monitoring the situation.

The prime minister reassured foreign governments’ delegations and representatives, who were visiting Thailand that the situation was under control. The incidents occurred as the city hosted a high-profile gathering of foreign ministers from ASEAN and 21 other countries, including the US, China and Russia.

Seven small bombs exploded at various sites in and around Bangkok on Friday, causing tourism leaders to fear the industry would suffer a drop in tourist arrivals over the next few months.

One well-known tourism promoter tweeted; “Not only are we wrestling with distressed tourism arrivals from traditional markets there is the impact of a strong baht and now this!”

But the government spokesperson presented an optimistic view saying “even though the news was reported in other countries, none of them issued advisories against their citizens travelling to Thailand.”

That proved to be inaccurate as an alert was issued by the UK within hours of the blasts, although it was not officially tagged a travel advisory.

Seven bombs exploded or were defused in five locations in Bangkok and Nonthaburi. Five exploded, hurting four people.

The blasts included one at the city’s Chong Nonsi BTS station, one near the King Power Mahanakhon Tower, two at the Government Complex on ChaengWatthana Road, and at the Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters.

Police said the bombers worked as a team and had planned the attacks to create maximum confusion.

The National News Bureau of Thailand reported that Police Commissioner General Pol Gen ChakthipChaijinda believed the suspects had checked out the areas before they planted the bombs. They may have been identified on CCTV footage.

In the meantime, TV reports on Sunday suggested police arrested two persons from South Thailand. They reportedly confessed to planting the bombs in the capital to retaliate for recent military activities in the deep-south.

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