Is it safe to visit Thailand if the bomb blast was targeting tourists?

THE bombing in Bangkok was horrifying, but it wasn’t necessarily surprising. Thailand’s status as a popular tourist destination defies its hidden dangers.

ESCAPE: KRABI, THAILAND BY BRIAR JENSEN .. Hong Island Beach. Picture: Getty

AUSTRALIANS are likely to return to Thailand despite persistent travel warnings and the latest targeted attack on one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations.

A bomb detonated at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok during the city’s evening rush-hour (about 9.30pm AEST) yesterday, killing at least 21 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring about 120.

Terror expert Professor Greg Barton from Monash University said while no group had claimed responsibility for the attack, it was clear the blast was targeting tourists.

“It had lethal intent, there’s no question,” he said.

Phil Sylvester, travel safety specialist at Travel Insurance Direct (TID), said Australians would be reluctant to visit Thailand in the short term, but tourism would quickly recover.

“Incidents like this always have an impact on the decision to travel to a country,” he said. “But that often doesn’t last long once people get a clear picture of the situation, and (understand) it’s a one-off.

“Let’s hope that's true this time — further attacks would be a tragedy for the Thai people, not just those who want to visit.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not upgraded the country’s travel warning since the attack, with its Smart Traveller website still telling Australians to “exercise a high degree of caution” in Thailand.

DFAT recommends against travelling to some parts of the country including Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

A Thai soldier ropes off the scene after a bomb exploded outside a religious shrine.

Prof Barton said it was possible that the attack was linked to people who had been radicalised in the deep south and linked to the Islamic State movement.

“There has been speculation that students in particular have gone that way and become radicalised, but there has been no proof, so it would be a major development,” he said.

“If it was Islamic State or a group like that you would imagine they would claim credit very quickly.”

The Erawan Shrine is a popular shrine to the Hindu god Brahma and is visited by Buddhist devotees daily.

Prof Barton said while it was possible the attack had some religious motivation, targeting the Hindu shrine, the location was more likely chosen for its high traffic and popularity with tourists.

“There have been attacks in the deep south involving the Muslim separatist movement targeting Buddhist figures,” he said.

“This is a Hindu shrine but it’s long since become part of the Buddhist scene. It’s more likely this corner was chosen because it’s one of the most congested areas. It would be like having a bomb outside a major urban train station in Sydney or Melbourne, to cause maximum damage and affect the maximum number a of people.”

The Erawan Shrine, pictured earlier this year, is a popular shrine to the Hindu god Brahma and is visited by Buddhist devotees daily. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Thailand has long had a reputation as an unsafe destination for tourists, with the popular spot recording the highest death and hospitalisation rate for Australians. According to figures released in June, 109 Australians died in Thailand and 150 were hospitalised from sickness or injury since July last year.

Despite that, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it’s the fifth most popular destination for Australian tourists, after New Zealand, Indonesia, the US and UK.

Mr Sylvester warned visitors to Thailand to always use a high degree of caution.

“It may be wise to stay away from popular tourist drawcards such as temples and monuments for the moment, while authorities assess the risk of further attacks,” he said.

“Check with hotel staff before you head out for the day, they’re usually across local news and events and will be able to advise you of the places it’s best to avoid.

Mr Sylvester also advised Australians in Thailand to let someone back home know your plans and to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“Make arrangements so that you can be contacted in an emergency — carry your phone,” he said.

DFAT hotline within Australia: 1300 555 135 | Outside Australia: (61) 2 6261 3305