Bangkok, Thailand (BBN)– Thailand is on high alert following a total of 13 bombing incidents that killed four people and 35 others injured in five southern provinces between Wednesday and Friday morning.
All of the bombs were reportedly detonated by mobile phone signals. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and forensic teams were investigating the types of bombs and trying to determine the motives behind the attacks, the Bangkok Post, a local newspaper, reported.
Local TV stations reported two men were detained for questioning on Friday.
The foreigners wounded in the Thursday night attack in Hua Hin were three Germans, three Italians, an Austrian and three Dutch nationals, according to the Bangkok Post.
No group has said it carried out the attacks, but suspicion is likely to fall on separatist insurgents.
The timing is sensitive, as Friday is a holiday marking the queen’s birthday.
Thai police say there’s no evidence the attacks are related to international terrorism.
“These incidents are different from the usual terrorism acts, they are more local sabotage on certain locations and provinces,” Deputy Police Spokesman Maj. Gen. Piyapan Pingmuang said at a news conference on Friday.
On Friday morning at least eight explosions occurred in five provinces.
Bombs went off again Hua Hin as well as in Surat Thani, Trang Province, Phang-nga province and the resort island of Phuket, reports CNN.
Two bombings in Phuket happened at 7:45 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. on Friday, according to Royal Thai Police.
The explosions hit Patong Beach and Bang La Street — both popular tourist sites — said Major General Theerapol Thipcharoen, the chief of Phuket Provincial Police.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the bombings in Hua Hin and four other locations — Phuket, Surat Thani, Trang and Phangnga — were “an attempt to create chaos and confusion”.
“Why have the bombs occurred as our country is heading toward stability, a better economy and tourism — and who did it? You have to find out,” the premier told reporters on Friday.
Late Friday morning, the US embassy issued a “security message for US citizens” on the bombings.
“Thai officials have identified no US citizens among the injured victims,” it said. US “travellers to the area should avoid the affected areas, review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates.”
Germany’s foreign ministry said on Friday that further attacks may hit the country.
“Further attacks cannot be ruled out. Therefore the foreign ministry advises extreme caution. People travelling to Thailand are recommended to avoid public places and crowds of people, to follow the media closely,” the ministry said in its travel advisory.
BBN/SSR/AS
