Bangkok: Security was beefed up in Thailand`s Muslim majority restive southern provinces after a series of blasts hit the region during the past two days in an apparent bid to scare away tourists ahead of the spring festival.
Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today expressed concern over the violence after a spate of bombings in Yala province killed one person and wounded 30 others, besides causing a loss of at least 300 million baht.
As the caretaker defence minister, Yingluck said she has instructed the armed forces chiefs to seek measures to protect the general public as well as economic zones.
She told the agencies concerned to urgently help those who were affected by the bombings.
Caretaker Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said he believed the attacks by insurgent groups in Yala were aimed at challenging the army after the reshuffle of commanders.
National Security Council Secretary General Paradorn Pattanatabut said the insurgents normally intensify their attacks during April, calling attention to the anniversary of the Krue Se mosque incident.
Thirty two militants were killed inside the mosque on April 28, 2004 in southern Thailand. The incident happened during an uprising in three southern provinces that left 108 rebels dead.
Yala Governor Dejrat Simsiri said the bombings in the province yesterday and on Sunday were carried out by the same group of people judging from evidence found by investigators.
He said the attacks involved car and motorcycle bombs and were obviously well planned and aimed at undermining the local economy ahead of the spring festival of Songkran.
The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year`s Day from Aoril 13-15.
On Sunday evening, four almost simultaneous explosions rocked Yala, killing one person and injuring 30 others in the heart of the town.
Yala is one of several hot spots in the predominantly Muslim deep south.
Authorities believe separatist insurgents are behind most of the violence. Security has also been tightened in some neighbouring provinces.
Thailand`s restive south has endured decades of separatist violence, Government officials, teachers, security forces and Buddhist monks have been particularly targeted by suspected Muslim militants.
It saw 53 violent incidents last month, killing 34 people and injuring 68 others, officials said here.
Forward Command of the Internal Security Operations said the incidents were mostly in four provinces -?Pattani saw 23 incidents, Yala 13, Narathiwat 16, and Songkhla two.
Since the wave of violence erupted in the southernmost region in early 2004, the unrest has claimed 5,489 lives and resulted in 10,148 injuries.
