THREE KILLED IN SOUTHERN THAI EXPLOSIONS

BANGKOK, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- A reporter, a policeman and another person were killed while 15 others were injured when a powerful car bomb exloded as security forces and rescue workers were inspecting another blast minutes earlier in Sungai Golok, Narathiwat, Thursday night.

Army spokesman Col Akara Thiproj said Chalee Boonsawat, a reporter with the country's biggest Thai language daily, Thai Rath, was killed on the spot whilea rescue worker and policeman died at the hospital.

He said that alsoinjured in the blast at the Thailan-Malaysia border town were Sungai Golok police chief Col Prabpal Meemongkol and a Channel 9 reporter,but no foreigners were involved.

He said that when the first bomb planted on a motorcycle in front of a restaurant near the Sungai Golok police station exploded, policemen, soldiers, rescue workers and media personnel rushed to the scene but a second bomb hiddenin a car caused serious injuries and damaged vehicles and buildings.

"The first bomb was a small one. It was triggered to lure police and soldiers to the location before a bigger one exploded," he said when contactedFriday.

Sungai Golok is a favourite haunt for Malaysians seeking entertainment andshopping across the border on weekends.