World
Bombings in Thailand kill dozens
Fourteen people were killed after business establishments were bombed in Yala City, south of Thailand. The car bomb blast also wounded 340 others.
Muslim insurgents are believed to be the group behind the blast that targeted shoppers. Several restaurants and shops were destroyed.
District police Col. Kritsada Kaewchandee said that the explosives were planted in a pick-up truck park in the busy area. The first blast killed three people.
Another car bomb exploded, just 20 minutes after the first blast. This caused 11 casualties and injured dozens.
It isn’t the first time Thailand experienced bombings. Three provinces in the south of the country have been bombed since January 2004 that resulted to more than 5,000 casualties.
A deputy spokesman from a regional security said that the latest incident is the worst attack in recent years. Col. Pramote Promin said that it was apparent that the suspects consciously targeted a busy area to cause damage to more people.
A similar blast occurred in Hat Yai near Songkhla. Authorities, however, are uncertain whether this is directly related to the bombing in Yala City. Police initially thought the blast was because of a gas leak.
The explosion occurred in Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel. Three people died and more than 200 were injured. Investigation showed that the blast may have originated from a sedan. Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel was also the target in a 2006 blast, killing four people.
Police authorities are now in full alert to ensure that similar incidents will be prevented.
