Bomb Blast in Bangkok Shopping District Leaves Seven People Injured

Thai security forces are seen at the site of a bomb attack in Bangkok

BANGKOK – Police say a bomb put inside a garbage bag exploded at a street market in Thailand’s capital and injured seven people.Police Col. Narongrit Promsawat said the explosion slightly injured seven people and damaged merchandise stalls at the market Sunday night.

Police explosive ordnance disposal officers on Monday morning inspect the damage caused by an apparent bomb explosion at the entrance of Ramkhamhaeng Soi 43/1 on Sunday nigh

It happened in a residential area in front of a barber shop and across from Ramkhamhaeng University.Forensic scientists say the bomb was made of nails and other materials but they have not verified what set off the explosion.

Expert from a bomb inspection unit saying it was unlikely the explosion was the work of southern insurgents.”If it was carried out by insurgents, there might have been more than one explosion, to create fear and unrest, and the explosives would likely be placed on pavements instead of inside a telephone booth facing the street.

Narongrit said the area was prone to violence from school gang rivalry and a suspect might have disposed of the bomb in the trash to avoid a search by the police.

The five women and two men were taken to Ramkhamhaeng and Vejthani hospitals following the blast. They were Arthit Wonghabutra, 29, Srawut Mahachai, 24, Donut Yasuree, 16, Janjira Jingjai, 21, Suthamas Jingjai, 47, Pannada Kanchai, 25 and Sumontiya Vejsoong, 44.

Dr Pradit said the three who remain under doctors’ care are Ms Suthamas, Ms Sumontiya and Donut. Their condition is improving, he said.