Give the bombers the last thing they expect

Grief over Monday evening’s horrendous bomb attack at the Erawan Shrine in the capital’s Ratchaprasong shopping district is still reverberating through the country and the shock is felt around the world. The blast tore through an area of high-end malls and luxury hotels, taking the lives of at least 20 people and leaving more than 100 injured. Many of the victims were foreign tourists.

This cowardly attack targeting innocent people demands universal condemnation. Amid much speculation that the bombing had its genesis in Thailand’s ongoing political rift, figures on both sides of the divide have spoken out to denounce the act. Among them are former prime ministers Abhisit Vejjajiva, Yingluck Shinawatra and Thaksin Shinawatra, who tweeted that he “condemned with the strongest words” the persons behind the attack.

The deadliest peacetime bombing in Bangkok’s history will inevitably take a toll on Thailand’s tourism and economy. But, if it is found to be linked to politics, growing hopes of reconciliation and a resolution to the crisis will be dashed.

While it is still too early to conclude that the attack was politically motivated, enough observers, including government figures, are pointing in that direction. The identity of the perpetrators is still not known, and the authorities have not ruled out international terrorists. But it is not out of line to surmise that the cowards behind this inhumane act were driven by anger and possibly a desire for revenge.

The place and time chosen for the attack, as well as the power of the improvised explosive device used – experts estimate that the bomb contained around three kilograms of TNT – strongly suggest it was designed to take lives, strike fear and shatter Thailand’s image as a peaceful country safe for tourists.

News of the blast dominated the front pages of international news outlets like the BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera, with Australian media reporting that the attack appeared to target foreigners. Embassies of the United States and Great Britain immediately issued travel warnings for Bangkok.

This is not the first time bombers have targeted this area of the city. It’s been a hub of political conflict over the past decade. It was the site of a political rally by the red-shirt movement in 2010, then a protest by the yellow-shirt People’s Democratic Reform Committee in 2013. On New Year’s Eve 2006, just three months after a military coup, home-made bombs exploded there and left three people dead. On February 1 this year two bombs exploded outside the Siam Paragon mall, leaving two people injured.

The fact that a powerful explosive device could be planted at a major Bangkok landmark points to serious flaws in security. The authorities must be held to account for any lapses that have occurred and must repair the gaps quickly to protect innocent lives. 

The authorities now seem to be on their guard again, with increased checkpoints and patrols.

They must work to the best of their ability to find the culprits behind this brutal attack and bring them to justice.

Meanwhile, citizens must stand together, get on with our lives as usual and demonstrate that we will not be intimidated by this wicked attempt to harm Thailand. The perpetrators have knocked us off our feet. We must now get up and move forward in unity – the last thing that they would want to see.