Bomb explosion in Bangkok: Tourists were the targets, says government

A large bomb has exploded at a major tourist attraction in the centre of Thailand's capital, Bangkok.

At least 17 people are believed to have been killed, and more than eight injured in the attack, which the Thai government believes was aimed at foreigners.

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A second bomb was found in the area and made safe.

The attack took place close to the Erawan shrine in Bangkok's central Chidlom district, a popular tourist attraction.

Local media reports that tourists are be among the casualties.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwong said: "It was a TNT bomb... the people who did it targeted foreigners and to damage tourism and the economy," reports the BBC.

The explosion occurred at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT).

The Bangkok Post reports there were twin blasts - one from a motorcycle bomb and the other from a device fixed to an electricity pole. It quoted police as saying 5kg of TNT was used and that an electronic circuit suspected to have been used in the attack was found 30 metres from the scene.