Prime Minister reassures safety of foreigners in Thailand

Reuters: Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday (18 August) vowed to bring those behind the bomb attack to justice and reassured safety of foreigners living in Thailand.

Thai authorities said the attack during the Monday (17 August) evening rush hour at a popular shrine in the capital’s bustling commercial hub, was aimed at destroying the economy. No one has claimed responsibility.

Prayuth pledged his government would spare no effort to find the perpetrators.

“In our country there are individuals or groups of individuals who are seeking to destroy the country. The ongoing attempts at destruction might be politically motivated, targeting the economy, tourism for whatever reason. The government will work to find those perpetrators and bring justice upon any networks involved as soon as possible,” he said.

“The government guarantees through best efforts, the safety of lives and assets and well being of foreigners living in Thailand, including those at embassies, counsellors, and other international organisations,” he added.

The Erawan shrine, on a busy corner near top hotels, shopping centres, offices and a hospital, is a major attraction, especially for visitors from East Asia, including China. Many Thais also worship there.

Police said the death toll was 22, with 123 people wounded. They said the blast was caused by a pipe bomb.

Four Chinese, including two people from Hong Kong, were among the dead, China’s official Xinhua news agency said. Two Malaysians, a Singaporean, an Indonesian and a Filipino were also killed, officials said. Scores of people were wounded, including many from China and Taiwan.

Tourism is one of the few bright spots in an economy that is still struggling, more than a year after the military seized power in May 2014.

It accounts for about 10% of the economy and the government had been banking on a record number of visitors this year following a sharp fall in 2014 because of months of street protests and the coup. The Thai baht fell to its weakest level in more than six years on Tuesday on concerns that the blast may deter visitors. Thai stocks also opened down more than 2%.

The attack also comes as Prayuth, under pressure to get the economy in shape, prepares to reshuffle his cabinet. Senior ministers have dismissed the possibility of the bomb attack being related to the cabinet reshuffle.