UN Sec-Gen Wants Swift Justice For Perpetrators Behind Bangkok Blast

By Manik Mehta NEW YORK, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Monday night's bomb explosion in Bangkok, urging swift justice to be meted out to the perpetrators behind the attack. The Ratchaprasong intersection, near the highly popular Erawan Shrine and the city's colourful shopping centre was the target of the bomb blast. UN sources relying on information released by the Thai authorities said at least, 16 people were killed and more than 80 injured in the bomb blast. Two of the dead were Malaysians. However, the number of casualties has risen to 21, at the close of day. "The secretary-general expresses his condolences to the bereaved families and the people and Government of Thailand, and wishes those injured a quick recovery," said a statement released by a UN spokesman. Meanwhile, the United States (US) Government has also sharply condemned the bomb explosion in Bangkok. John Kirby, the spokesman of the Department of State in Washington told journalists in a briefing on Monday that Secretary of State John Kerry and the State Department had expressed "deep sympathy to those affected by the explosion in Central Bangkok Monday night". "The US Embassy in Bangkok has issued an emergency message to US citizens, advising them to avoid the area and monitor local media for updates. "We are closely monitoring the situation and are liaising with local authorities to gather information to determine whether any US citizens was affected by the explosion," he said. --BERNAMA