BANGKOK, March 12 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Thailand’s security authorities ruled out the series of bombings in Satun and Phatthalung provinces in southern Thailand on Saturday and Sunday as politically motivated.
Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said tight security in the southern Thai provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala could have prompted the culprits to set off bombs in Satun and Phattalung.
“We have deployed security forces and various measures were taken to keep peace in the areas (Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala). That’s why they launched attacks outside the areas… Don’t think it is political,” he told reporters.
Prawit, who is also the Defence Minister, visited Satun and Phatthalung provinces with a senior security delegation Tuesday.
He said a few suspects have been arrested and they are the ‘same group’ that had links to the violence in the three southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.
Meanwhile, local media reported the suspects of the series bombings were identified from CCTV footage and they were all wanted insurgent activists in the south.
At least 10 explosions rocked the turbulent Phatthalung and Satun provinces in southern Thailand on Saturday and Sunday. No loss of life was reported but the explosions resulted in damage to buildings and vehicles. –NNN-BERNAMA
