The weekend bomb blast in central Bangkok has raised fresh concerns of political instability following the recent unrest in the region.
The news came on Sunday evening, with reports of a blast at a bus stop near a supermarket which left one person dead and up to ten injured.
The bombing came after a weekend by-election, which was seen by many as a chance for the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjaiva’s governing Democrat Party to assert its power following the bloody anti-government demonstrations of recent months.
The hotly contested by-election, which was won by Mr. Vejjaiva’s party, illustrates the deep divide that still exists in the country. Bangkok and more than a dozen provinces have been under a state of emergency since the protests.
A vital test of support for the government, after the army dispersed red-shirt protestors in May leaving 90 dead and almost 1,900 injured, the election has been completely overshadowed by the attack.
Attempts to stimulate the country’s tourism industry have been met with a mixed response; both travellers and operators waiting to see how the situation develops.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) continues to advise against all travel to Preah Vihear near the Cambodian border and against all but essential travel to Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla in the south of Thailand.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
For more information on travelling to Thailand visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
Travelbite.co.uk staff
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