Several bombs exploded in downtown Bangkok late Sunday, killing at least two and injuring many people, a police source told Xinhua.

The source said one roadside bomb exploded at around 18:30 p.m. local time (1130 GMT) on Sunday along Sukhumvit road in downtown Bangkok, causing several bypassers injured. Several vehicles around were also damaged.

Almost at the same time, in the explosion at the Klong Toei area near the Na Ranong intersection, a bomb hidden in a trash can near a Chinese spirit shrine exploded and injured two bypassers. The explosion caused a secondary explosion to a number of cookinggas cylinders that were situated nearby.

One person was dead at the Big C supermarket, Sapan Kwai branch, where a man was seen dropping a grenade from a pedestrian bridge, police said.

At least 20 were injured at the Victory Monument when a powerful bomb went off near a bus station. Reports said one was killed on the spot.

At the Seacon Square Shopping Mall, a loud explosion went off at the parking space, creating a panic but no injury.

Another police box was hit with a bomb but no injury reported.

Authorities have ordered all shoppers to evacuate the mall, one of Bangkok largest, and all shops to close down for business.

Government's spokesman Yongyuth Malyalarp urged the public to remain calm, adding that police officers have been instructed to stay on high alert, including areas where high concentration of people are expected to take part in the New Year's count down.

"Police reinforcement have been sent to various areas in the city. We urged the public to remain calm, continue with the celebration but at the same time keep a look out for any irregularities," Yongyuth said.

Another police source said a total of 15 bombs were triggered simultaneously. Until press time, many policemen are still on the way rushing to the scenes.

Source: Xinhua