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Bomb goes off at hospital in Bangkok leaving 25 injured

Investigators and police at the hospital in Bangkok: EPA
Investigators and police at the hospital in Bangkok: EPA

A bomb exploded at a hospital in Bangkok today wounding at least 25 people, authorities said.

The bombing at Phramongkutklao Hospital, believed to be popular with retired Thai military officers, happened on the third anniversary of a military coup.

Investigators found remnants of batteries and wires at the scene of the blast on the ground floor of the military-run Phramongkutklao Hospital, said Srivara Ransibrahmanakul, the deputy national police chief.

“We can confirm at this stage that it is a bomb,” he said.

Police officers and others gather in front of the entrance of Phramongkutklao Hospital (AP)
Police officers and others gather in front of the entrance of Phramongkutklao Hospital (AP)

Kamthorn Aucharoen, commander of the police's explosive ordnance team, said: “It was a bomb. We found the pieces that were used to make the bomb.

“Right now, authorities are checking out closed circuit cameras.”

Three people received serious shrapnel injuries to the face and neck, but most of the victims had minor wounds.

Police investigators work at the lobby of Phramongkutklao Hospital (AP)
Police investigators work at the lobby of Phramongkutklao Hospital (AP)

It came on the third anniversary of a military coup. It was not immediately clear who was behind the explosion or if it was connected to the anniversary.

It comes just weeks after a car bombing in the coastal town of Pattani injured at least 50 people.

That bombing took place outside a major shopping centre.

The military seized power in Thailand on May 22, 2014, after months of political crisis in the country.