Thailand, Dec 23 – Two Malaysians were among more than 20 people injured in three bomb explosions in southern Thailand today, according to Malaysia’s consulate in Sadao.
The two Malaysian Chinese, a man and a woman, had been admitted to hospital, said First Consulate Officer at the consulate, Rozaimi Harun. The other injured people were Thais.
The identity of the Malaysians had yet to be determined, he told Bernama when contacted.
Bernama understands that the woman had been sent to the Padang Besar Hospital in Perlis and the man, to the hospital in Sadao.
Songkhla Governor Jrisada Boonrach, when contacted, said the Malaysians were injured in the third explosion, which occurred in front of the Oliver Hotel here at 1.45 pm.
The bomb had been placed on a motorcycle that was parked in front of the three-star hotel, he said.
Jrisada explained that the first explosion occurred near the Sadao police station at about 11 am and the second, near the Padang Besar police station on the Thailand side of the border, at about 1 pm.
In KUALA LUMPUR, the Malaysian police said they were monitoring developments following the bomb explosions in Padang Besar, Danok and Sadao.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin said in the police Facebook page that the situation there was under control and security and preventive measures had been enforced, including tightening inspection at the Malaysia-Thailand entry points.
He said the people need not worry but would have to exercise greater caution if they could not avoid having to travel there.
A check by Bernama at the locations found that the area was under the tight control of Thailand’s security forces.
A Malaysian who wished to remain anonymous said he managed to flee in time just as the explosion occurred.
Danok, which is usually crowded with Malaysian visitors every weekend, was relatively quiet this evening.
– Bernama
