22 bombs explode in Thailand, killing 2 Nearly two dozen bombs exploded almost simultaneously Thursday inside commercial banks in southern Thailand, killing two people in a region bloodied by a Muslim insurgency, police said.
The homemade bombs, which were triggered by mobile phone signals, were placed in garbage bins, at newspaper stands and near seats where customers wait for service in the banks in Yala province, said Maj. Gen. Paithoon Choochaiya who heads the provincial police. At least 28 people were injured.
Authorities said two suspects were detained. A review of close-circuit video showed that some of the explosives were planted by women, police said.
Some of the apparently small devices were hidden in women's handbags or inside books carried by teenagers in school uniforms, said Lt. Gen. Ongkorn Thongprasom, the army chief in the south.
"We received some intelligence reports, but we did not anticipate it would happen inside banks, especially on the last day of the month. We don't believe they are that cruel," Ongkorn said.
Banks are normally crowded at the end of the month with customers withdrawing funds from their deposited salaries.
Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit said authorities had learned the rebels were planning a major attack Thursday to coincide with the founding day of Bersatu, believed to be an umbrella group for Thailand's rebel groups.
"I ordered them (authorities) to take precautions and prevention but this incident still occurred," he said.
The bombs were set off in 22 of Yala's 30 bank branches, both in the provincial capital and outlying districts.
"It's scary. We can't estimate the damage yet," said Pridiyathorn Devakula, head of the Bank of Thailand, the country's central bank.
The Islamic Bank of Thailand was among those attacked, according to reporters at the scene. The bank, set up in five southern provinces by the government, was created according to Muslim law, which prohibits interest.
More than 1,500 people have been killed in the insurgency since early 2004, most of them in the Muslim-dominated southern provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani. The rebels are seeking to separate from Thailand, where Buddhists form the vast majority.
Targets of the rebels have included in the past government officials, school teachers, policemen, Buddhist monks and many Muslims suspected of collaboration with the government. Bombings, drive-by shootings and beheadings occur almost daily.
Last weekend, suspected insurgents killed the highest-ranking officer to die in the south since 2004. Col. Suthisak Praertsri and another soldier died when a bomb exploded under their vehicle in Yala.
