PATTANI, May 9 – Security personnel were apparently targeted in the bombing of two Pattani businesses early today, but no one was hurt.
Diana Department Store and a Toyota showroom in Pattani municipality were the sites of twin bombs placed outside the premises, with the second bomb apparently intended to target the responding security team.
The first bomb exploded at 4.30 am, damaging the Diana department store entrance. The bomb was placed in a flower pot in front of the store, and was later observed on a security camera.
A second bomb exploded later some 50 metres from the first bombing.
The second blast destroyed the showroom windows of the Pithan Panich company’s Toyota agency, and is believed to have targeted security personnel responding to the first bombing.
Surveillance camera footage showed two men apparently placing both bombs after midnight, according to Col Pramote Promin, spokesman for the 4th Region Forward Command of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).
The army officer said the authorities will continue using the security plan given by Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha who visited the region yesterday.
The plan is aimed to clarify local authorities security measures and preparations and to close blind spots and loopholes. He said the incidents should not be claimed as a failure of the continuing peace talks in Malaysia between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgent group.
In response to series of bombings, the spokesman said that local authorities today will meet senior army officers in a video conference.
A third bomb exploded at a security checkpoint in Pattani’s Yaring district at 7.30 this morning, but no injuries were reported.
