Photos: 27 people killed and dozens injured as motorbike bomb targets tourists in central Bangkok

At least 27 are dead and dozens more have been injured after a bomb on a motorbike exploded just outside a Hindu shrine in Bangkok today. The explosion took place in the popular Rachaprasong district in the heart of the Thai capital at around 7pm, in an area packed with tourists.

Four foreigners are believed to be among the dead after an attack the Thai government says was designed to damage the country's vital tourist industry. 'It was a TNT bomb... the people who did it targeted foreigners and to damage tourism and the economy,' a government spokesman said.

Many victims were probably visiting the Erawan Shrine or several shopping centres in the area when the attack took place. Security video showed a powerful flash as the bomb exploded. See more photos below.....