5 injured in rubber plantation explosions in restive South

NARATHIWAT, Oct 25 – A wave of bombings broke the morning quiet in Thailand's three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat early Monday, injuring five rubber tappers, according to local police, who believe the incidents were the work of insurgents intending to create disturbances.

The first explosion took place before dawn at 4.49 am at a rubber plantation in Narathiwat’s Sukhirin district, injuring Mrs Uraiwan Thammasaro, 49. Two hours later, a second explosion occurred at a nearby rubber plantation. Amae Masaman, 57 was hurt. Both of the injured were sent to hospital.

In neighbouring Pattani province, local police have rushed to inspect the crime scene after a bomb exploded at 6.20 am in a Kapor district rubber plantation. Preliminary investigation found the presumed insurgents planted two bombs at two rubber processing shelters within a 100-metre radius. Two rubber tappers were injured.

Injured were Pan Khunpromya, 50, a village defence volunteer and Rapiah Hawae, 52, who have been sent to hospital.

The explosions were the latest violence occurring in the troubled region which has seen more than 4,300 people killed in almost daily insurgent attacks since violence erupted in early 2004.

Most of the victims are local villagers, security personnel and teachers. (MCOT online news)