Bomb explosions spark blood donations in Narathiwat, Ranong
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Local residents and security officials in Narathiwat province on Thursday donated their blood to build up stocks after reports indicated that insurgents might try to instigate more violence in the deep southern provinces.
The event, which was held in the Chulabhorn army camp in Muang district, followed reports that insurgents may retaliate against the arrests of three men of their men for their alleged involvement in the deadly bomb attacks in Songkhla and Hat Yai over the weekend.
Total blood donated was 87,500 cc, with some of it going to people injured in the bomb attacks in Yala and in Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel in Songkhla. The blood will also be stocked for people injured in accidents during the upcoming Songkran Festival.
A total of 14 people were killed and hundreds of others wounded in last weekend’s series of attacks. Most of the victims were killed at the scene.
Police have arrested three men over the past three days for their alleged links to the attacks.
Police Chief Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong said there was solid evidence against one of the men arrested and it is believed that the suspect might have been involved in the deadly bombings.
On Tuesday, residents in Ranong province joined a blood donation drive event to assist those injured in the attacks.
Dr Thinnakorn Pongwiwat, director of Ranong Hospital, said the blood collection was held because the people of Ranong were worried and sad about the attacks.
He added that the hospital did not initiate the collection but provided the facilities after many expressed their desire to donate blood for the victims of the southern violence.
Wirote Kataset, a Ranong resident, said that he and his neighbours had followed the news of bomb attacks and witnessed the high numbers of injured.
“We believe that blood is necessary in this situation. My neighbours and I came to donate our blood,” he said.
