hat happened?
At about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT) an improvised explosive device detonated inside the Erawan shrine in central Bangkok.
Thai police said it was a pipe bomb - 3kg (6.5lb) of TNT explosive stuffed into a pipe and wrapped with white cloth.
The explosion killed 20 people, according to officials, 12 of whom died at the scene. More than 120 people were injured.
Correspondents described a site of carnage, with body parts strewn across the area as well as broken glass and burned-out vehicles.
Bomb disposal units checked two suspicious objects but found no other bombs.