Update — 1:38 a.m.: This good BBC story offers a useful map of the locations of the bombings.
Also, there’s this:
Police do not believe foreign groups or militants from the Muslim south are to blame, says the BBC’s Jonathan Head.
Our Bangkok correspondent says many Thais suspect the bombs were the work of opponents of the current military government, which forced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from office in September.
Update — 1:25 a.m.:
Bangkok Pundit has two new snippets of info:
1:20 am ITV reports on a possible bomb found before it exploded at Suan Lum Night Bazaar – this is on Wireless Road next to the Japanese Embassy and close to the US Embassy. Embassy Central really. Very limited reports so far and no confirmation.
1:10 am The Nation’s report on a bomb exploding in Khao San Road is rebutted by Thai channel ITV who say only a suspicious package was found so the whole area has been cleared as a precaution.
And 2Bangkok.com has some photos and additional news links.
As I mentioned earlier, the first round of blasts went off at about 6:30 p.m. today.
Now more bombs have exploded here in Bangkok — at midnight at at 12:30 a.m.
And, in a new twist, those responsible for the explosions have begun targeting foreigners.
Three more bombs exploded in the heart of Bangkok once the new year started, severely injuring many foreign tourists.
The two bombs exploded nearly at the same time seconds after the new year started and another bomb exploded about half an hour after midnight.
The first bomb exploded at the Best Sea Foods restaurant on the Saen Saeb Canal near the Pratunam Pier.
Two foreigners and a Thai were injured. One of the foreigners had one leg amputated by the blast. The foreign tourists were having dinner at the restaurant.
Police said the bomb was hidden in a tire at the pier.
The second bomb exploded at a public telephone booth at the pedestrian flyover linking Central World and Kesorn Plaza. Several foreigners were injured and rushed to hospitals.
The third bomb exploded at the Buddy Bar on Khao Sarn Road.
This is huge, huge news.
What does it mean for Thailand’s fragile military-led government? For the conflict in the south? For tourism in the Kingdom?