Law student killed in Bangkok bomb

She was travelling Thailand with a friend before the attack


A London law student is among 21 people killed in by a bomb attack at a shrine in Bangkok yesterday.

Vivian Chan, 19, was travelling in Thailand with her friend Arcadia Pang Wan-Cheese, 24, who also died in the explosion.

The SOAS student and popular food blogger was originally from Hong Kong but came to the UK to study.

In an announcement, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: “The loss of life and injury in Bangkok is horrific and I condemn this callous act of violence against completely innocent and unsuspecting members of the public.

“I can confirm that one British national, a resident of Hong Kong, lost her life in the attack.”

Vivian Chan was a law student at SOAS. Photo – Sky News

He added: “British Embassy staff in Thailand are assisting her family at this very difficult time.

“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones, and with the Thai people.”

Vivian was a member of the Thai Society at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), who said they were “deeply saddened by her death”.

In a statement they added: “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.

“We understand that Miss Chan, and her friend, were travelling in Thailand. According to sources, she recently posted a picture on an Instagram account of her food blog, @kittealuvfood, appreciating local delicacies.

“We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this difficult moment.”

Vivian’s friends paid tribute on her popular food Instagram @kittealuvfood

Philip Hammond said Foreign Office officials are in contact with the Thai authorities and have offered UK assistance with the investigation.

He said Britons in Thailand should check the Foreign Office website for updates on the security situation in the country.

The stills, along with leaked CCTV footage, appear to show a young man – wearing a yellow t-shirt and heavy glasses – approach the popular shrine and deposit a black rucksack on a bench.

The footage captures him walking away until he disappears into the crowd.

A BBC reporter claims that a government spokesperson has confirmed the suspect is not believed to be a Thai national.