Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged social media users to promote positive aspects the country instead of sharing upsetting information or pictures in the aftermath of the Ratchaprasong bombing.
"One thing we should do at the moment is help our country disseminate constructive information and stress Thailand's good qualities," he said in his weekly Returning Happiness to Thai People TV programme on Friday.
He cited as an example a report by the German Press Agency dpa describing the good qualities of Thais at a time of crisis.
"The agency reported the blast by showing the compassion of Thai people in times of crisis," said Gen Prayut.
"It reported that Thai people around the blast site, without hesitation, came to the scene and helped the injured while many others rushed to donate blood. And when they needed Chinese translators, so many Chinese-Thai speakers volunteered."
Thai people can do more to bring back peace by treating tourists well so that they spread the word about Thai hospitality, he said.
Echoing Australian PM Tony Abbott, who told his citizens not to stop visiting Thailand and encouraged Thai people to stand strong against violence, Gen Prayut said Thai people should not give in to perpetrators of violence.
"After the bombing, we shouldn't be intimidated into living in fear because that will be playing right into the hands of the perpetrators," he said.
"Instead, we should live normally but be more vigilant and report to officials when we see unattended or suspicious objects."
Now would be a good time for Thailand to stop being an indifferent society, he said, adding that people need to look up from their mobile screens and look around.
As for aid and compensation for the victims, the prime minister said that for Thais, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration was the point of contact to fill out forms and establish eligibility.
For foreigners, the Tourism and Sports Ministry will use the 200-million-baht travellers' insurance fund set up by the military government.
As well, Their Majesties the King and Queen have offered to pay uncovered medical bills for the injured. They also have told privy councillors to bring flowers and visit them.
For dead Thai victims, Their Majesties have offered to pay 90,000 baht each for funeral expenses.
For foreign victims, they passed on their condolences through Thai ambassadors in each country, accompanied with royal bouquets sent on their behalf, he said.
