Blasts in Bangkok as Thai capital hosts regional summit

At least three people were injured in a series of small explosions on Friday morning

Thai investigators examine a site of one of several small explosions thta hit Bangkok early on August 2, 2019. AP Photo

Several small bombs exploded across Bangkok on Friday, rattling the Thai capital as it hosted a regional summit attended by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and leaving three people wounded.

Thailand, which has a grim history of political violence, remains deeply divided after a controversial March election returned a junta to power as a civilian government.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, who led the junta, was told of "the bombing incidents and has ordered an immediate investigation", Thai government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said.

"Security measures have been tightened. The public is urged not to panic," she added.

Small devices – believed to be so-called "ping pong bombs" about the size of a table tennis ball – exploded at several locations across the city.

They appeared to be symbolic attacks aimed at embarrassing the government during the major summit but not designed to cause mass casualties.

"Three people received slight injuries from shrapnel," said Renu Suesattaya, director of Suan Luang district where the first bombs were reported.

"I received a report that they are 'ping pong bombs' hidden in bushes by the road."

Thai forensic police officers inspect the area where a small bomb exploded in Bangkok, Thailand. EPA

A member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit inspects a suspicious object hidden on a footpath on Silom road in Bangkok. EPA

The blasts happened as Thailand hosted a regional summit attended by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo EPA

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha ordered an "immediate investigation". EPA

Members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit and policemen secure the area to inspect a suspicious object on Silom road in Bangkok, Thailand. EPA

Members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squad and Thai forensic police officers inspect the area where a small bomb exploded in Bangkok, Thailand. EPA

Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers work following a small explosion at a site in Bangkok, Thailand. REUTERS

A policeman from the explosive ordinance disposal unit runs a bomb detector through a bed of flowers at the scene of an explosion in Bangkok. Two people were injured as at least two small explosions hit Bangkok, police said, as the political febrile country hosts a regional summit attended by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. AFP

Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers work following a small explosion at a site in Bangkok, Thailand. REUTERS

Two further explosions shattered glass near a well-known downtown skyscraper, emergency police added.

Bomb disposal experts were deployed around the Mahanakorn Tower – owned by the King Power group that counts Leicester City football club among its assets.

At least three other blasts hit the area around a government complex, authorities said.

The bombings took place just before a keynote speech by Mr Pompeo at the South-East Asian Foreign Ministers meeting, in which he praised Thailand for rejoining the "democratic fold".

Thailand's government urged the media to avoid speculation on the motive for the bombings.

"We do not know yet how many people are involved," Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters, adding that "people who do it want to stir the situation".

The blasts come weeks after Mr Prayut was inaugurated as a civilian prime minister, sparking outcry among many pro-democracy supporters in a kingdom scored by divisions.

The junta manoeuvred itself back into power with the help of a fully appointed senate stacked with army loyalists and an electoral system its critics say was designed to limit the success of the pro-democracy parties.

A slew of court cases since then targeting an emergent anti-military group have rankled government critics, especially younger voters.

The older "Red Shirt" pro-democracy group has also reacted with outrage to the election, but has so far remained off the streets with the army seemingly in an unassailable position.

Mass protests, coups and short-lived governments have defined Thailand's recent history, which is peppered with deadly bombings and shootings linked to politics.

Thailand's last hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in 2009 was also overshadowed by unrest.

Then, protesters from the pro-democracy "red shirt" faction smashed their way into the summit venue in the resort city of Pattaya demanding elections.

Pandemonium ensued, with a number of leaders having to be rescued from a hotel roof by Thai army helicopters while others fled by boat.