ADMITTEDLY “rocked” by Monday’s bomb detonation in central Bangkok, Orange’s Anthony Wharton and Charlie Bubb were left uninjured by the explosion despite being just a few hundred metres from the blast zone.
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The pair are in Thailand to coach and compete, respectively, at the 2015 International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur Royal World Cup and were “just down the street” from the explosion at the Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist attraction.
The blast, said to be aimed at foreign tourists, has left at least 21 dead and over 120 injured.
The area is visited by thousands of Buddhists every day and is surrounded by shopping centres.Mr Wharton reached out via Facebook to assure everyone, and anyone, worrying that he, Mr Bubb and the entire Australian team were uninjured and accounted for.
“It certainly rocks you,” Mr Wharton said via Facebook.
“You see how vulnerable you can be. All of our team and athletes are accounted for though, and it looks as though the competition will continue.
“It’s hard not to be apprehensive, however we can’t stop how we live due to the actions of others.”
While Thai authorities have started in depth investigations into the bombing, Orange Travel director Gai Fardell said tourists will be avoiding Bangkok for many months as the dust settles.
“I would avoid the area. If you’re travelling through the airport, you’ll be fine. If you’re travelling to Phuket, you’ll be fine,” Ms Fardell said.
Former Orange resident Clare Colley was at the site of the blast just two weeks ago, a spot she said was always busy.
“I was staying at a hotel on Wireless Road less than two kilometres from the shrine and I walked past it almost every day,” Ms Colley said via email.
“It’s surreal seeing something so horrible in a place that seemed busy, but peaceful.”
