Two Buddhist monks killed in southern Thailand bomb attack

[News_Editor]

Two Buddhist monks killed in southern Thailand bomb attack

2011-05-16 19:24:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK,THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- A roadside bomb in southern Thailand killed two Buddhist monks and injured two Thai soldiers on Monday, officials said.

The attack occurred Monday morning at around 6:15 a.m. local time, in Yaha, which is located in Thailand's southern province of Yala, when a group of six soldiers were escorting the two monks from Wat Suan Kaew in Pulae village of tambon Baro to collect alms, the Bangkok Post reported.

The home-made bomb was planted in the road and detonated by insurgents hiding on the side of the road while the vehicle carrying the two monks - Phra Samuh Chatri Kantarato, 47, the abbot of Wat Suan Kaew, and Phra Thirapong Dongmali, 40 - approached Bayo village in tambon Baro on the Yaha - Bannang Sata road.

The explosion caused the vehicle to jump about 10 meters, killing the two monks at the scene and severely wounding two soldiers - Thanakorn Noochai, 22, and Kraisorn Modkhan, 22 - who were inside the vehicle.

Following the explosion, the attackers opened fire against the other security forces riding on motorcycles in front and behind the vehicle. After exchanging fire for about 15 minutes, the attackers fled the scene.

No group has claimed responsibility of the attack, but officials believe the attackers work under Hubaideela Romuelee of the RKK separatist group, which operate in the area. On January 25, the group carried out a bomb attack in the same area that killed nine hunters and wounded two others.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-16

[Credo]

A very sad way to start a major Buddhist religious day.