At least 20 people are now known to have died following the bombing of a shrine in Thai capital Bangkok.

Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha branded the incident the “worst ever attack” on the country, but gave no details as to who might be responsible.

The bomb targeted the Erawan Hindu shrine, a major tourist attraction, at 19:00 local time yesterday evening.

Eight of those believed killed are foreigners, while there have also been scores of injuries.

Prayuth said: “There have been minor bombs or just noise, but this time they aim for innocent lives.

“They want to destroy our economy, our tourism.”

National police chief Somyot Poompummuang earlier described the device as a pipe bomb, packed with explosives and placed inside the shrine.

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office warned there was a “high threat” from terrorism in Thailand but has not issued advice against visiting.

There have been a series of small scale attacks in Thailand in recent months as the military regime struggles to establish control.

There were two explosions at the Siam station of Bangkok’s Skytrain system, near the entrance to the Siam Paragon shopping mall, in February.

One person was injured.

On April 10th a car bomb exploded in the underground car park of the Central Festival shopping mall in Bho Phut on the tourist island of Koh Samui.

Seven people were injured in the explosion, including one foreigner.

British nationals make over 900,000 visits to Thailand every year.