THAILAND-BLAST/MORNING Thai locals and tourists feel uncertain about safety in Bangkok

Record ID: 143368

  • Title: THAILAND-BLAST/MORNING Thai locals and tourists feel uncertain about safety in Bangkok
  • Date: 19th August 2015
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (AUGUST 19, 2015) (REUTERS) BOATS IN CHAOPRAYA RIVER VARIOUS OF WATER POLICE ON BOAT RUNNING IN RIVER TOURISTS CROSSING ROAD TO ROYAL PALACE TOURISTS WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE TOURIST FROM NORTHEAST CITY OF DALIAN SAYING: "We had been a bit worried in the beginning, but since we arrived here last night, the people here, and the staff at the airport and the hotel have been considerate and friendly, so we don't feel afraid any more. There is nothing to worry about. I just feel really sorry for the victims, and their families who lost their loved ones." VARIOUS OF SECURITY IN FRONT OF PALACE CARS RUNNING ON STREET NEXT TO ERAWAN SHRINE SIGN READING (English) "ERAWAN" WORKERS CLEANING ERAWAN SHRINE VARIOUS OF POLICEMEN ON STREET SIGN ON POLICE JACKET READING (English) "POLICE" POLICEMEN STANDING NEXT TO SHRINE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PRAYING AT SHRINE MAN PRAYING FOR VICTIMS NEXT TO SIGN READING (English) "STRONGER TOGETHER" SIGN READING (English) "STRONGER TOGETHER" (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 45 YEAR-OLD LAWAN MUANGNAMNGUN, BANGKOK RESIDENT SAYING: "I have to be more careful and try to avoid the crowded area. That spot (Erawan Shrine) I walk pass it everyday. I'm so afraid." PEOPLE WALKING ON STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) 60-YEAR-OLD SUTTHIPONG WIRUNTANAWONG, BANGKOK RESIDENT SAYING: "Officials are more strict for the safety of the people but I still don't feel safe because they cannot catch them yet." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GETTING ON BOAT
  • Embargoed: 3rd September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA38F8M30KLRAZCXPA6QVSBDFG4
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Tourists and local Thais on Wednesday (August 19) said they felt uncertain about their own safety in the capital city as Thai police hunt for accomplices of a suspected Bangkok bomber.
    Thai authorities said on Wednesday they were looking for accomplices of the chief suspect for the Bangkok shrine bomb blast that killed 22 people, a man who was captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV) dumping a backpack and walking away.
    A Chinese tourist who recently arrived in Thailand said she was a bit worried about her visit but the local hospitality helped elevate her spirit.
    "We had been a bit worried in the beginning, but since we arrived here last night, the people here, and the staff at the airport and the hotel have been considerate and friendly, so we don't feel afraid any more. There is nothing to worry about. I just feel really sorry for the victims, and their families who lost their loved ones," said a Chinese tourist from Dalian.
    The government said Monday evening's attack at the popular Erawan shrine in the heart of Bangkok was aimed at wrecking the economy, which depends heavily on tourism.
    No one has claimed responsibility for the blast, which killed 22 - nearly half of them foreigners - and wounded more than 120.
    Jangling nerves in the city on Tuesday, a small explosive was thrown from a bridge towards a river pier, sending a plume of water into the air, but no one was hurt.
    A spokesman for the government, Werachon Sukhontapatipak, said there were "patterns" between the two bombs in that both used TNT but no link had been established as yet.
    The footage of the young man with shaggy dark hair shows him entering the shrine compound with a backpack on, sitting down against a railing and then slipping out of the bag's straps.
    He then stands up and walks out apparently holding a mobile phone, leaving the bag by the fence as tourists mill about.
    A local resident said she will avoid crowded areas during this time around.
    "I have to be more careful and try to avoid the crowded area. That spot (Erawan Shrine) I walk pass it everyday. I'm so afraid," said 45 years-old Lawan Muangnamngun, a Bangkok resident.
    Another local Thai said that he is concern about safety as long as the perpetrator has not been arrested.
    "Officials are more strict for the safety of the people but I still don't feel safe because they cannot catch them yet," said 60 years-old Sutthipong Wiruntanawong, Bangkok resident.
    National police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said the suspect could be Thai or foreign, though local media reports on Wednesday said he was not Thai.
    Police have not ruled out any group, including elements opposed to the military government, for the attack though they say it did not match the tactics of Muslim insurgents in the south or 'red shirt' supporters of the previous administration.
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