Double bomb blast in Thai south

Two bombs were detonated in a southern town of Thailand on Wednesday, killing two people and wounding dozens more. At least 55 people were injured – five seriously – in the double attack on Yala town.

Reuters

The first bomb, hidden on a motorcycle, exploded at 10.15am near Yala’s business district. A second blast followed ten minutes later, striking police and rescue workers who had come to investigate the scene.

“Provincial authorities had been warned of the attack beforehand, but the warning was for 28 to 30 May,” said the governor of Yala province, Krisada Boonrach.

The south of Thailand has a history of violent attacks by anti-government rebels. Separatist and Islamist fighters have led a campaign of violence in the area since January 2004, in which more than 4,000 people have died.

Emergency rule has been in place there for nearly five years, which human rights groups complain has allowed security forces to commit widespread abuses.