MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines on Wednesday, August 19, said it has raised crisis alert level 1 over Thailand after an explosion in Bangkok killed at least 20 people.

The explosion also injured more than 120 people, including a Filipina worker who suffered a hearing injury.

“Filipinos are alerted to take necessary precautions,” the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in an advisory Wednesday.

The DFA explained that alert level 1 “is issued when there are valid signs of internal disturbance, instability, and external threat to the host country.”

The agency listed areas that Filipinos should avoid in Thailand, as specified by the Thai police:

• Rajprasong Intersection
• Pathumwan Intersection
• Silom Road
• Khao San Road
• Narathiwat Intersection
• Victory Monument
• Tuk Chai Intersection
• Benjasiri Park
• Soi Thonglor
• Sukhumvit Road

The DFA on Tuesday, August 18, also condemned the explosion in Bangkok as an act of terror. 

Thai authorities continue to investigate the incident.

On Wednesday, Thailand’s top policeman said a man suspected of planting a deadly bomb in Bangkok is part of a wider “network.”

The blast struck on Monday evening, August 17, as worshippers and tourists crowded into the Erawan shrine in the Thai capital’s commercial heart. With no one coming forward to claim responsibility, the motive and identity of the culprit remain a mystery. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com