#StrongerTogether memes are widely shared on social media by Thai Internet users.
Two bomb blasts have rocked [1] central Bangkok in the past two days, killing [2] 20 people and injuring hundreds. The first explosion hit Erawan Shrine, a popular tourism destination, and the second bomb exploded on the Saphan Taksin bridge today without any reported casualties.
Authorities are still investigating [3] the two bombings, which have exacerbated [4] the already tense political situation in the country. The army grabbed [5] power last year and drafted an interim constitution, leading to the appointment of army officials in the military-backed civilian government. The ruling junta vowed to conduct elections next year, if political reforms and stability have been restored in the country.
Thai Internet users responded to the bomb attacks by expressing unity and solidarity on Twitter with the hashtag #StrongerTogether [6].
together forever #StrongerTogether [6] pic.twitter.com/azpNpI5ydZ [7]
— dodiddone’ (@dodiddoneshop) August 18, 2015 [8]
24 hours after the bomb blast I visited Erawan Shrine. Notes of regret in Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Russian. 1/ pic.twitter.com/u9V4er3zO4 [9]
— Christopher G. Moore (@cgmooreauthor) August 18, 2015 [10]
A day after the first explosion, many Thais placed flowers at the Erawan shrine:
People lay flowers and light candles for the victims of bomb attack at Erawan Shrine #StrongerTogether [6] pic.twitter.com/RffgUMOF86 [11]
— ThaiPBS English News (@ThaipbsEngNews) August 18, 2015 [12]
Erawan shrine very quiet this evening, just a few people lighting candles and paying their respect to the victims – pic.twitter.com/7cemlaWCjo [13]
— Florian Witulski (@vaitor) August 18, 2015 [14]
After the Erawan bomb explosion was reported on Monday evening, many doctors [15] immediately volunteered to help the victims. The Thai Public Broadcasting Service reports:
There was another group of off-duty doctors who, after the bomb blast, rushed directly to emergency wards of their respective hospitals without being told or asked. They went there to help out, to tend to the patients out of their own free will.
Aside from doctors, Chinese interpreters [16] also volunteered, as some victims are tourists from China. Many also responded to the call for blood donations:
7:30pm Still very long queues of people wanting to donate blood at the Thai Red Cross – RT @ShanMiaosan [17]: pic.twitter.com/QHHMO5Tv8U [18] #Bangkok [19]
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) August 18, 2015 [20]
In addition to killing and maiming innocent people, the bomb attacks could also hurt Thailand’s tourism industry. Several nations have already issued [21] travel advisories about the need for caution when traveling to Thailand. In Bangkok, many places seemed completely abandoned a day after the Erawan bomb blast:
It's never been like this around this time on weekday before (BTS heading national stadium) #StrongerTogether [6] pic.twitter.com/0QaOQ8Bauy [22]
— Thawatchai S. (@Ping_St) August 18, 2015 [23]
BTS refers to Bangkok Mass Transit system.
Central World & other shopping malls in central #Bangkok [19] are like ghost towns tonight – RT @pinenerize [24]: pic.twitter.com/KxztgvPXzG [25] #Bangkok [19]
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) August 18, 2015 [26]
8:20pm – RT @SamuelKertesz [27]: Siam BTS station is empty pic.twitter.com/xk1TXywrBZ [28] #Bangkok [19] #Thailand [29]
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) August 18, 2015 [30]
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the country’s former army chief, denounced the perpetrators of the bomb explosions. He appealed for unity and urged [31] everyone to be responsible when sharing information about the #BangkokBlast [32]:
I would like to seek the cooperation from the media, including all social media agents, in providing news that will be constructive rather than news which expounds violence and destruction, either by video or sound clips or contentious commentary, which may have a misleading effect on ongoing investigations and create misunderstandings in our society.