Series of bomb blasts hit southern Thailand, killing 3

[News_Editor]

Series of bomb blasts hit southern Thailand, killing 3

2011-10-26 16:24:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

YALA, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- A series of bomb explosions killed at least three people and injured around twenty others in the southern region of Thailand on Tuesday, officials said on Wednesday.

The bomb explosions occurred on Tuesday evening in the restive city of Yala, which is located in the southern province which carries the same name. It happened on the seventh anniversary of the Tak Bai massacre, local authorities told the Nation.

One of the bombs detonated prematurely while suspected insurgents transported the explosive through the Old Market section of Yala's Muang district, killing two insurgents. Police believe the insurgents were taking the bomb to the city's commercial area.

Several explosive devices later detonated in the New Market area of the city. According to reports, the last of eight bombs detonated at around 10 p.m. local time. However, bomb squads were able to defuse a total of ten explosives.

The bombs were targeting mostly public areas such as restaurants and karaoke bars in the predominantly Buddhist section of Yala, which also suffered a blackout for around an hour. Local officials believe the attacks were carried out to mark the Tak Bai massacre anniversary.

On October 25, 2004, a total of 86 people were killed when police used tear gas and gunfire to ward off hundreds of protesters who began hurling stones and tried to storm a police station. It is known as the Tak Bai incident.

The attacks on Tuesday also happened about 24 hours after two bomb blasts struck Narathiwat's Muang district, killing five people including a pregnant woman and her three-year-old child.

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