Many embassies issue safety advice

While three embassies said there was a possibility of further attacks, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai assured foreign visitors that there would be no repetition of the incidents.

The embassies that issued alerts included those of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, France, Hungary, Japan, Singapore, Italy and Brazil. 

They advised their citizens to avoid the areas already affected and crowded areas, monitor local news reports, follow the instructions of local authorities, keep in contact with relatives in their home countries and contact their embassies in case of emergency.

The German Foreign Ministry said further attacks “cannot be ruled out”. The US Embassy also cited reports of possible additional explosions and suspicious fires in some southern provinces.

The Japanese Embassy advised its citizens to “not eliminate the possibility that unforeseen circumstances may occur in future”.

But the Thai Foreign Ministry stressed that authorities had the situation under control and would not let them reoccur. Don said security officials were expediting the interrogation processes.

He said the ministry was not alarmed by the embassies’ warning messages as it was common diplomatic practice to take care of citizens in the Kingdom. 

Although the blasts took place in quite rapid succession, the ministry did not declare the acts as terrorism but “an act of stirring up public disturbance”.

The first twin bombs exploded on Thursday night in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district, a busy tourist destination where the royal Klai Kangwon Palace is located.

They were followed by a series of smaller bombs in Phuket’s Patong Beach and Loma Beach, Trang, Surat Thani and Phang Nga’s Khao Lak yesterday, while the country celebrated Mother’s Day.

Four Germans, three Dutch nationals, two Italians and one Austrian were injured in yesterday’s explosions in Hua Hin.

“It was very shocking. There was a loud noise and police were running everywhere. It was terrible,” said Michael Edwards, an Australian tourist who was staying in a guest house close to where the second bomb detonated.

“I was just surprised that it happened here ... now I’m thinking if it’s worth staying,” he said.