People fled in terror as four people died and dozens got injured as Thailand got hit by a series of co-ordinated attacks across tourist destinations. Mobile phone Bombs were hidden in flower beds and plant pots.
The first two explosions hit the seaside resort of Hua Hin overnight which left western tourists in terror. One Thai woman and one another died in these blast and 21 people got injured.
The twin bomb explosion was targeted at a busy street filled with bars and restaurants.
On Friday morning, the town was hit by small explosions and several hours later two small bombs were detonated in the beach town, Phuket, Pataong and another area. All these areas were popular with foreign tourists.
The southern regions of Thailand also faced the similar strikes, the police and media stated that one person was killed in Surat Thani and in Trang also there was the loss of one life.
These both are used as stop-off points by many tourists travelling on to the country’s islands. The news of fires and blasts were also reported in Phang Nga and Krabie.
Thai officials said that these attacks were not terror related in fact they were carried out locally. Some suggested that these explosions were planned by the opponents of the ruling junta. Meanwhile, Prayat Chan-O-Cha, the Junta chief and Thai leader stated that these attacks were just an ‘attempt to create chaos and confusion.’
In the Hua Hin explosion, there were nine foreigners who got injured among the 21 people. These foreigners are believed to be Dutch, Austrian, German and Italian nationals. As confirmed by German foreign ministry there were at least three German nationals who have been injured in the blast in Hua Hin. The German embassy is offering assistance to the injured nationals.
The provincial governor of Surat Thani, Wongsiri Promchana told that the bomb which was hidden in a flower bed exploded in front of the marine police offices. A municipal worker was killed and another man was injured in this blast. The governor said that she thinks these blasts were related to the blasts in Hua Hin.
A local media reported that there was an attack at the Centre Point shopping mall in Trang where one person died and six more were injured.
General Sithichai Srisopacharoenrath stated that the Mobile bombs were hidden inside plants on a street that is popular with tourists and residents and is filled with restaurants, bars and food sellers.
He also told that a Samsung mobile phone was recovered and they believe it was used to detonate at least one bomb.
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12 August 2016
Avni S. Singh