Bangkok blast: 34-year-old Singaporean woman among those killed; husband injured

People leave roses for the victims at the site of a deadly blast in central Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 18, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

Experts investigate the Erawan shrine at the site of a deadly blast in central Bangkok, Thailand on Aug 18, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

Thai rescue workers carrying the covered body of a bomb victim in the aftermath of the explosion in Bangkok. PHOTO: EPA

Emergency vehicles and members of the Fire Department arrive to assist following an explosion at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug. 17, 2015. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Police officers collect evidence in the street alongside the body of a victim covered in a white sheet following an explosion at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 17, 2015. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Thai forensic police officers inspect a blast site after an explosion outside Erawan Shrine in central of Bangkok, Thailand on Aug 17, 2015. PHOTO: EPA

Tan Hui Yee

Indochina Bureau Chief

Updated

Published

Aug 18, 2015, 10:18 AM

BANGKOK - A 34-year-old Singaporean woman was killed in the bomb blast that rocked the heart of the Thai capital on Monday night, while her husband was injured.

Madam Melisa Liu Rui Chun died on the spot, according to Thai Police Major-General Dr Pornchai Suteerakune, commander of the Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Her husband Ng Su Teck, 35, who was injured by glass shrapnel, told The Straits Times that he plans to return to Singapore on Wednesday.

Mr Ng, who works in sales, did not want to talk much when The Straits Times visited him at Ramathibodi Hospital.

In a statement on Tuesday, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said: "Our embassy in Bangkok is currently providing consular assistance to the family of the deceased.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family for their loss. We are deeply saddened by this development, and reiterate our strong condemnation of this indiscriminate act of violence,'' MFA said.

Mrs Chua Siew San, Singapore's ambassador to Thailand, visited the other injured Singaporeans at various local hospitals on Tuesday, said MFA. All are receiving medical attention, while those with light injuries have been discharged.

The Singapore embassy will continue to provide consular support for the injured Singaporeans and their next-of-kin, MFA said without elaborating on how many Singaporeans were injured.

"MFA has also contacted the majority of the registered Singaporeans in Bangkok. We are monitoring the situation closely," said the ministry.

At least 21 people were killed and more than 120 wounded in the bomb attack at the Erawan Shrine which is popular with both locals and tourists. The dead also included citizens from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

The bomb reportedly contained up to 3kg of explosives.

"The bomb aimed at killing as many people as possible as the shrine is crowded at around 6 to 7pm," Police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP on Tuesday.

The bomb was detonated at around 6.30pm, sending a fireball into the sky as commuters and tourists fled in panic.

The blast occurred at a major traffic intersection flanked by upscale hotels and shopping malls. It was still cordoned off onTuesday.

Hundreds of schools were closed, with the police tightening security by setting up checkpoints across the city.

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