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World News

Thailand bombing: church can play major role in rebuilding, says missionary

by Aaron James

David Robinson was speaking after the Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond confirmed a British national was one of at least 22 people killed, after a bomb planted at the Erawan shrine in central Bangkok exploded on Monday evening.

Thai police have said they believe they know who the terrorist was, referring to CCTV footage which shows a man in a yellow t-shirt with a backpack.

He was seen entering the shrine with his backpack, and leaving again without it before the bomb went off.

PA

More than 100 other people were also injured in the blast.

The improvised explosive was powerful enough to shatter windows and burn motorbikes to the bare metal.

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The Thai Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, called the terrorist attack "the worst incident that has ever happened in Thailand."

"There have been minor bombs or just noise, but this time they aimed for innocent lives."

"They want to destroy our economy, our tourism," he said.

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Another blast happened at the Sathorn Pier area of Bangkok on Tuesday, however no one was injured.

David Robinson also said that Thailand is a divided country, with four distinct groups living in one country. A military coup which overthrew the democratically elected government last year has added to these tensions, he said.

He told Premier's News Hour: "Since the year 2000 it's [the Thai church] doubled in size, and now is about a third of a million... it has a lot of influence in Thailand, both in Bangkok and throughout the country.

"So I think we should pray the church becomes salt and light in the community, and in this present crisis show care and encouragement for people who are suffering, but also be seen as a place of refuge for people who are upset and have nothing to lean on - no reference point.

"The church has a message for situations like this."

Listen to Premier's Marcus Jones speaking to David Robertson on the News Hour:

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