Multiple deaths and injuries have been reported after a large explosion in Bangkok city centre.
Local media are reporting twelve dead and 20 injured.
The blast took place near a shrine in the centre of the Thai capital.
Thai police chiefs are already certain that the explosion was caused deliberately, by a bomb.
National police spokesman Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri told Agence France-Presse news agency: “I can confirm it was a bomb, we can’t tell which kind yet, we are checking.”
Social media shows scenes of chaos, and body parts scattered everywhere.
RT Stay safe. Explosion in central bkk. Pic from friend @BBCBreaking @cnnbrk #explosion #bangkok pic.twitter.com/mfwgEKEVQO
— Romtam (@RomtamK) August 17, 2015
BBC NEWS: ‘Horrific carnage’ in #Bangkok after bomb explodes close to Erawan Shrine http://t.co/8ipfxYqlWa pic.twitter.com/GIHEFxRvOa
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) August 17, 2015
8pm Skywalk at Ratchprasong is closed – RT @man_Rw: เวลานี้…ปิดสกายวอร์คแล้ว pic.twitter.com/wWNCtm1S0q #Bangkok #Thailand
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) August 17, 2015
7:48pm – RT @vaitor: Explosion covering half intersection – pic.twitter.com/Uoe4KVXzPM #Bangkok #Thailand
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) August 17, 2015
7:18pm at Ratchaprasong #Bangkok – RT @thaicam: Injured man taken to ambulance outside Hyatt pic.twitter.com/AqKYrE0TR9
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) August 17, 2015
One twitter user is live streaming scenes on Periscope from Thailand as the situation remains on going.