Suspects nabbed over deadly bomb blasts in the South

The source said security officials raided a rented house in Tanyongmas Municipality and arrested the suspects. 

“They are now being interrogated at the 45th Ranger Regiment,” the source said. 

There were eight bomb attacks in Narathiwat’s Rangae district between 7.20pm and 9.15pm on Thursday. One of the explosions caused three deaths and injured 13 others. The casualties included soldiers and civilians. 

As of press time, nine victims remained in hospital. 

Representing Their Majesties the King and Queen, Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont yesterday visited five victims at Rangae Hospital and presented them with royal-granted relief items. 

The injured victims, who were no longer in critical condition, were grateful that Their Majesties always care about their subjects. 

Colonel Pramote Prom-in, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command, expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. 

He said the Fourth Army Area chief had ordered the authorities to check recordings from all surveillance cameras in the area in an effort to find the culprits. 

These attacks, he said, were clearly intended to cause unrest and casualties. Such incidents hurt tourism and the economy. 

“If you have any tips, please call 1341,” he said. 

Pramote said the authorities believed the bombers might be linked to the group that staged four explosions in the province’s Rangae district on July 20. 

“For the July attacks, we have arrested six suspects,” he said. 

Colonel Pakdee Preechachon of Rangae Police Station also mentioned the possible link. 

“We will not disclose details now as that may affect efforts to track down the attackers,” he said. 

Authorities said the motorcycle used in the fatal blast on Thursday night was stolen last week. The vehicle belonged to a 17-year-old female student who was shot dead on September 14. 

“About 25 kilos of explosives were stuffed inside the petrol tank of the vehicle,” an official disclosed. 

The wave of violence in Thailand’s deep South has continued for about a decade, with bloody attacks taking place almost on a daily basis. 

Yesterday, an explosion hit a police patrol car on a road in Narathiwat but did not result in any casualties. 

Pol Lieutenant Boonsanit Khiaopradit said he was driving to a court when a hidden bomb went off, causing damage to the vehicle. 

A hole about a metre deep and 1.5 metres wide was found at the scene.