The blast struck on Monday evening as worshippers and tourists crowded into the Erawan shrine in the Thai capital’s commercial heart, but with no claim of responsibility the motive and identity of the culprit remain a mystery.
The unprecedented attack left at least 11 foreigners dead, with visitors from Britain, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, and a family from Malaysia among the victims.
Another 68 people remain in critical condition after a blast that shredded bodies and incinerated motorcycles at one of the city’s busiest intersections, sending a shockwave through the country’s pivotal tourist industry.
"It’s a network," police chief General Somyot Poompanmoung told reporters without elaborating, a day after CCTV footage emerged showing a suspect leaving a backpack moments before the blast struck.
"We believe there must be people helping him, Thai people," he added, appearing to rule out the action of a lone wolf attacker.
Police had initially said a second explosion at a Bangkok pier on Tuesday that caused no injuries may also be linked, deepening fears for residents as police conceded they do not know who was responsible.