A bomb exploded close to a teahouse in Thailand’s southern Narathiwat province on Thursday morning, injuring at least 14 individuals, officials said. Ten were treated and released with minor wounds, and four others were admitted to the hospital with serious wounds, China Daily/Asia reported.
Local media quoted a lower initial number but provided an account of the wounded. Three policemen and six civilians were injured when a roadside bomb was detonated on Ram Komut Road in Yi-Ngo district at about 9 a.m., where policemen in an armored patrol had pulled up near a tea stall; four of the civilians were brought in seriously injured at Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital, the Bangkok Post reported. Investigators believe that insurgents detonated the bomb remotely as the patrol moved toward it, the paper quoted them as saying. Forensic and explosive-ordnance teams combed the grounds as the manhunt continued.
Another local newspaper cited the device targeting officers at a teashop in Narathiwat’s Yi Ngor district and reported four villagers were seriously injured, The Nation Thailand reported.
The three southern border states of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat have long been in the crosshairs of periodic rebel attacks. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has previously called for greater cooperation among security forces to make the region safer, reported the Bangkok Post.
Police have cordoned off the scene, are watching CCTV footage and questioning witnesses. No group immediately claimed responsibility.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
