Is Thailand safe?
All of this seems to point to an attempt on the part of the perpetrators to avoid mass foreign casualties -- an appearance of unrest rather than terror.
Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Thailand's tourism minister, told CNN that six injured foreign nationals remain in hospital but are stable and expected to make full recoveries. Wattanavrangkul said that the kingdom is quick to learn from incidents such as these and counter measures are continually being put in place following the Erawan blast last August.
"This is not the nature of the Thai people. Normally we are a very friendly country destination," she said. "I think Thailand has passed many ups and downs and I think we all know the world has changed.
"I think people do return to us, even after last year's incident. I think (tourists) understand the true nature of the Thai people."
While tourism levels tend to take a hit following terror attacks, travel experts say Thailand's tourism industry is likely to make a speedy recovery.
"Having spoken with the minister of tourism and sport from Thailand about the security steps being taken by the government, I am confident that the situation will stabilize and return to normal very quickly," David Scowsill, WTTC CEO, told CNN.
"Despite the bomb attack in Bangkok in August 2015, Thailand's visitors grew by 20% last year to 30 million travelers and the money they spent grew by 25% over the same period."
By Friday afternoon, normality appeared to be returning, at least in Phuket, as bars and restaurants near the blast sites reopened and police presence had dissipated, according to Hong Kong-based freelance journalist Andrew Scott.
"People really don't seem to care," Scott, who lived in Phuket for five years, told CNN over the phone. "Just as long as they can do what they want to do with their holiday."
CNN's Kocha Olarn contributed to this report from Bangkok