23 Yala banks hit by bomb blasts
Yala - Muslim militants launched 23 coordinated time bomb attacks
at commercial banks in this southern province Thursday, killing at
least one man and severely injuring at least four bank customers,
police said.
The bombs, mostly left on bank counters and some in ATM booths at
the banks, were detonated mostly by clocks between 11:30 to 11:35
am. Twenty six people suffered minor injuries.
Police said militants dressed in student uniform carried bombs
hidden in folders, books and plastic banks and left them on
counters where customers wrote bank slips.
The attacks prompted all banks in the province to close its
business for a day and at least five schools decided to close and
released students home.
The attacks were carried out in five districts - 11 in Muang, six
in Betong, 2 in Yaha, 2 in Bannang Sata and 2 in Raman.
Police said most of the injured were those who came in to draw cash
from ATM machines.
Most of the bombs were hidden in thick books, which pages carved
out or in women handbags.
The killed was identified as Major Sanuchart Srithong, a retired
army officer.
Police sources said two Muslim youths have been arrested after
police checked tape from security cameras of ATM booths and saw
them planting the bombs.
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