Security measures stepped up after bomb attacks

BANGKOK, Aug 13 (TNA) -- Thai security forces steps up surveillance measures in the wake of a series of attacks that killed four people in less than 24 hours. The Defence Ministry held an emergency meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon after multiple bombs and fired rocked several locations in Thailand’s south. The Ministry condemns the culprits and masterminds of the attacks believed to be carried out by one group. It also calls on people to give information that may lead to those behind the attacks. Police are still unable to point to perpetrators while investigation intensifies. Security measures have been stepped up at public places such as terminals and government buildings. In less than 24 hours, bombs attacks were launched in Trang, Hua Hin town of Pachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, and Patong distrct of Phuket, killing at least four and injuring more than thirty. In Phuket where one was injured in an explosion on Patong beach, airport authority raised security level to the level three mobilizing police and army forces at the terminal. The international airport has coordinated for intelligence and emergency response with security agencies. In Trang where the first attack took place and killed one person and injured six others, military officers have stationed around the city and set up checkpoints across the province. An explosion hit a shopping mall in Trang at 3 pm Thursday, followed by another bomb and another shopping mall Friday morning. Two explosions occurred in Hua Hin, late Thursday night, killing a Thai woman and injuring 21 Thai and foreign tourists. At 8 am Friday, two explosions occurred in front of the marine police station and Surat Thani police station, killing one person and injuring many others. Then at 9 am, two more explosions reportedly occurred at the clock tower in Hua Hin. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has blamed ill-intentioned group for carrying out the attacks, aiming to discredit the government, stirring chaos and destroying the country’s image. Gen Prawit said the attacks were unlikely carried out by insurgent groups in the deep south. He said it was clear that these attacks were coordinated by one group. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks. (TNA)