Thai Filipino

July 25 (Reuters) - An explosion wounded four people in central Bangkok on Saturday, emergency officials said, but it was unclear what caused the blast and if it was related to a closely watched special election in the Thai capital.

The explosion occurred near a busy intersection at the heart of Bangkok's commercial district, the same area occupied by thousands of "red shirt" anti-government protesters for several weeks until an army crackdown on May 19.

"We were told by the police that there are four wounded from the incident," said a spokesman for the Erawan Emergency Centre, adding the blast took place opposition Central World, a shopping area that was set on fire by protesters in May.

It coincided with a Bangkok by-election that is being seen as a referendum on Thailand's recent political unrest. (Reporting by Ploy Ten Kate; Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE66O01A20100725