Several small bombs exploded in Bangkok in at least three locations on Friday and a senior police officer said that two street cleaners were injured by what appeared to be a homemade bomb.
The capital city is currently hosting a regional security meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and their counterparts from world powers including the United States, China,Russia.
There were no other immediate reports of injuries.
Prayut Chan-O-Cha,Prime Minister of Thailand was told of “the bombing incidents and has ordered an immediate investigation”, Thai government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said, adding “security measures have been tightened. The public is urged not to panic.”
Thai police said they had found two fake bombs on Thursday near the venue of the regional security meeting. The packages prompted a brief security scare but were quickly deemed harmless. It was not clear whether the meeting was the target.
Police said two men had been arrested in connection with the fake bombs.
Bomb disposal experts were deployed around the Mahanakorn Tower — owned by the King Power group that counts Leicester City football club among its assets.
There were unofficial reports of several other devices being found across the city.
The government urged the media to avoid speculation on the motive for the bombings.
The incidents reminded the uncomfortable memory of Thailand’s last hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2009.
Thailand has a long history of political violence linked to mass protests and short-lived governments.
