Thai authorities unveiled the restored centrepiece of the Erawan Shrine, in the latest bid to restore confidence in Bangkok 18 days after a bombing that left 20 dead.
In the past week, police have arrested two people and identified seven more believed to be part of a network that carried out the August 17 blast, which also injured more than 120 people.
They have intentionally avoided calling it an act of terrorism for fear of hurting Thailand’s image.
“The most important issue for the country’s image is to restore confidence about safety,” minister of culture Vira Rojpojchanarat told reporters at the ceremony.
He said the event was intended to “create confidence and raise the morale of [Thai] people and tourists”.
The ministry’s fine arts department repaired 12 areas of the shrine’s gleaming golden statue of the Hindu god Brahma that were damaged by the attack, notably on its four-headed face where a chin was blasted out.
“Every day the police and national security are making progress on the case,” he said.
In the past week, the investigation picked up pace with police arresting the two suspects and carrying out two raids on homes in Bangkok where bomb-making materials were discovered.
