THAILAND: A London law student was among at least 20 victims killed in a bomb blast at a popular shrine in Bangkok.

Vivian Chan, 19, is thought to have been travelling with a friend who was also killed in the bombing which rocked the Thai capital.

Professor Peter Crisp, Dean of Law School at BPP University in London, said: “Everyone at BPP University is devastated to hear of the loss of one of our students, Vivian Chan Wing Yan, in Bangkok yesterday.

“Our thoughts are with Vivian’s family and we are currently working to support them in any way we can.”

The Thai Society at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London said in a statement: “We... are deeply saddened to hear the news of Miss Chan ‘Vivian’ Wing-Yan, a Law Student at SOAS, who passed away yesterday after a bomb blast in central Bangkok.

Thai authorities are searching for a man caught on security cameras leaving behind a rucksack at the popular attraction, which is in an area well-used by foreign visitors.

More than 100 were injured by the blast.

Foreign secretary Philip Hammond said: “Foreign Office officials are in close contact with the Thai authorities and have offered UK assistance in the investigation of this abhorrent act.

“British nationals in Thailand should check the Foreign Office website for the latest travel advice.”

Hong Kong has raised its travel alert to red and advised its citizens to avoid non-essential trips to Bangkok but the British Government has not taken similar action.

Travel advice issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office cautions people to “monitor news reports, follow the advice of local authorities and take extra care”.

Five of the victims have so far been identified as Thais, four as Chinese - including two from Hong Kong – two from Malaysia and one from Singapore.

Thai police are looking for some suspects spotted in a security video in the wake of a bombing, as another explosive device blew up at a ferry pier – this time harmlessly.

Prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha called Monday’s explosion at a shrine at a busy central Bangkok intersection “the worst incident that has ever happened in Thailand”, and he promised to track down those responsible.

No-one has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing, which bears none of the hallmarks of the Muslim separatists who have been fighting a long insurgency in the south of the country.