As Bangkok remains traumatized by the bomb explosion last night at Erawan Shrine that killed at least 20 and injured 125, some stories of human kindness and dignity are starting to emerge.
Chinese interpreters and blood donors flocked to hospitals caring for the wounded last night, doing anything they could to help those afflicted by this act of terror.
Lu Mei Gui, Chinese woman who has lived in Bangkok for eight years, had just crossed the Rajprasong Intersection to Central World about five minutes before she heard the loud bang of explosion. When she heard the sirens of ambulances, she knew something was wrong.
“I was about to go eat at Central World. I passed the Rajprasong Junction and there were a lot of Chinese tourists,” she spoke to Matichon in Thai. “Twenty minutes later I knew it was an explosion.”
Speaking fluent Thai, Lu Mei Gui decided to walk back to the Erawan Shrine and volunteered to translate for her countrymen and women. No one was able to communicate with them at the time.
Erawan Shrine is a known popular destination, especially among Chinese visitors who are usually seen paying respect to the Hindu God sculpture. So far, two Chinese tourists have been confirmed killed and twenty-eight reported injured.
As calls for Chinese translation help for victims were sent out, dozens of Thai-Chinese interpreters showed up at Chulalongkorn and Royal Thai Police hospitals. Many journalists tweeted later the translators were sufficient, but more and more volunteers kept showing up to lend a hand.
“After 10pm, the rescue volunteers had just finished clearing out scene, they drove us directly to Lertsin Hospital,” another Thai woman who worked as a translator told Coconuts Bangkok. “I was with my friends, Chinese and Japanese translators. When we arrived there are already eight translators there, but more and more showed up.”
Meanwhile, Khonnnon Jathrakul along with several locals reached the hospitals last night when rumors spread they were running low on blood following the blast.
“Its my duty to help, as a Thai, as a person.” Khonon told DPA International. “I have O blood type and it is useful.”
Danat Preechit and a several of his friends who are in the same motorbike club, all rode to the hospital despite traffic being shut down after hearing about the tragic explosion while out on a joy ride.
“It is time we showed the world the good side of Thailand,” he said. “We’re here to answer the call.”
As of this morning, Thais continue to flock the office of Thai Red Cross Society on Henri Dunant even though the organization announced it is not running low on blood.
The horrific bombing took place during the height of rush hour last night at Erawan Shrine in downtown Bangkok. Twelve were reportedly killed at the scene.
Photos: FM. 91 Traffic Pro
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