At least 18 people have been killed following a bomb explosion in a shrine in central Bangkok, the Thai capital. At least 117 people have been wounded, many losing limbs.
The blast happened at 7pm (1pm Irish time) near the Erawan Hindu shrine in the downtown Chidlom district. The Erawan shrine, is located near hotels, shopping centres, offices and a hospital, and is a major tourist attraction. Many ordinary Thais also worship there.
A second bomb inside the shrine was reportedly discovered and defused, while there are reports of a third device on a train that teams have now neutralised.
No-one has claimed responsibility for the attack. The government said was aimed at destroying the economy and the tourism industry.
Police said that attack was aimed at raising tension in a city that is under martial law. The army has ruled Thailand since May 2014.