Bangkok's Erawan shrine bomb damage repaired

After nine days of repairs, authorities on Friday unveiled a restored centrepiece of Bangkok's Erawan shrine, with a ceremony to honour the four-faced Hindu god Brahma's figure at the site of last month's deadly bombing.

The shrine was damaged in at least 12 places, most obviously the chin of one of the four faces. The repairs were completed by the culture ministry's fine arts department late Thursday, the Bangkok Post reported.

At the opening ceremony, Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said the statue would help "create confidence and raise the morale of Thai people and tourists".

People have continued to visit the shrine since it reopened shortly after the bomb blast on August 17 that claimed 20 lives, most tourists and injured over 150 others.

So far, two people have been detained in connection with the blast, both foreign.