Paramedics taking care of wounded in Trang. Credit: Facebook/สามล้อกู้ภัย บรรเทาศูนย์สอง
MULTIPLE explosions went off in cities and popular tourist spots around Thailand Thursday afternoon continuing to Friday morning, leaving at least three dead and many more injured.
The first reported bombing happened in the transit hub of Trang on Ruenrom Road at around 15.00 on Thursday, killing a man and injuring five.
Two attacks then took place roughly 20 minutes apart in the resort city of Hua Hin at approximately 22.00 to 22.30 in a busy street area close to the popular resort. One woman died from the twin blasts and at least 20 were injured, many of whom were European tourists.
Another two blasts then took place in resort town Surat Thani this morning outside police stations following festival processions dedicated to the Thai Queen Sirikit’s birthday taking place today, which is a public holiday.
According to local media, a civil servant was killed in the Surat Thani blasts and several others were injured.
Two explosions also hit resort island Phuket in the Loma Park area and at Patong beach near a police station, injuring one. Both spots hit are popular with tourists.
Authorities have yet to ascertain who is responsible for the attacks and it is still unclear what the motivations are. However, seeing as the bombings took place during a long weekend in areas with many foreigners, signs point to tourists being the main targets.
Following the incident, Bangkok-based DMC Destination Asia is advising all its clients to remain close to their hotels. It is also currently in the midst of contacting all clients where possible.
A bomb blast that killed 21 and leaving scores more injured took place in Bangkok, at the Erawan Shrine, almost a year ago on August 17, 2015.
