Thailand's ambassador to Australia hopes security fears won't discourage tourists from travelling to the country.

In the wake of Monday night's bomb blast that tore through the Erawan Hindu Shrine in central Bangkok, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 100 others, Chirachai Punkrasin of the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra said Thai authorities are doing their best to keep foreign travellers safe.

"I hope this one event does not discourage people from visiting. You can be assured authorities will do their utmost to ensure people have a safe and secure stay in Thailand," Mr Punkrasin said.

"I would urge people to remain calm about the situation and continue to monitor the situation regularly."

Mr Punkrasin would not speculate on the motive behind the attack, but said the shrine was a popular destination for tourists and locals.

"It occurred in an area which is frequented by tourists as well as locals so it would have caused a lot of damage. Many people pay respects and worship at the shrine, particularly in the evening," Mr Punkrasin said.

Meanwhile, the Australian government has updated travel advice on its Smart Traveller website, advising people to avoid the central Bangkok's Chidlom district, exercise a high degree of caution and follow advice of local authorities.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop has condemned the bombings and said Australia will continue to work closely with Thai authorities.

Australia-Thailand Association (Canberra) president Frederick Cook said he is not aware of any Canberra residents who have relatives affected by the tragedy, but "would hope that anyone with information would contact the association".

However, he has contacted diplomats at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok who are former employees at the Thai Embassy in Canberra.

"They've reported they are safe … they are shocked at the incident and are avoiding the location. The intention now is to determine who perpetrated this horror."

Mr Cook said Thailand is "a very peaceful country" that "occasionally has some civil unrest but this is not the sort of event that the country is used to".

When asked how the Thai community would be feeling, Mr Cook said it is likely summed up by the following poem he received from university student Dew Pholcharoen, from the Thai province of Chonburi.

"We don't become afraid, and we don't lose courage. We are Thai, and we will love each other. Those who like destroying peace, we pass them by. Because what matters is we have unity."