Shoppers said they were concerned about the bombings but could not put off going shopping as they had limited time for it.

Warinthorn Dechchaiyan, 26, a marketing officer said she was not concerned if she had to go to a shopping mall or public areas in the city. But she did not plan to hang around.

"I don't think people should panic, I want to live my life normally. However, if I don't need to go to out anywhere then I won't," she said.

Chacriya Modnak, 28, a writer, said even though shopping is her favourite pastime the bombs had raised safety concerns.

"I am not in the mood to go out because I feel depressed by the incidents, but if I have to shop I will go and then leave as fast as I can," she said.

Some Bangkok residents said they would only go to a shopping mall in the daytime.

"If I have to go [to a mall] I will shop quickly. Also, I will go only in the daytime," said Yupaporn Chaichalermmongkol, 28.

She said she would not go into the centre of Bangkok or any big shopping centres because they are the most dangerous places. "The trouble is, nowhere is safe because no one knows where a bomber could hit".

Shopping malls yesterday responded to the bombings by implementing strict security measures.

CentralWorld, near where one of Sunday evening's bombs exploded, has ordered security officers to monitor all cars which enter the mall car park and to check customers' bags. Other shopping malls in the Central Group have introduced the same security measures.

Seacon Square, where another bomb was found, did not bring in any additional security measures.

Samoechai Maneechote, 27, a public relations officer, said she was not worried about going out because she believed that bombings would only occur in crowded areas or in the city centre. "I will only go to shops near where I live," she said.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation