Maximum security measures were ordered, and Samila beach and nearby roads in Songkhla's Muang district closed to the public, on Thursday after two time bombs exploded overnight and three more were found on the beach. No casualties were reported.

The explosions were reported at about 10.30pm on Wednesday but security authorities did not inspect the beach until Thursday morning, for fear of being attacked.

The explosions caused some damage to two sculptures symbolising the beach and Songkhla province - the mermaid, and the cat and mouse - which sit on the beach about 200 metres apart. The mermaid lost her tail.

Security authorities found and destroyed three more bombs on the beach on Thursday morning. They have closed the beach, Ratchadamnoen Road and Chalatat Road to the public. Authorities believed the bombs were placed on the beach on Wednesday night after all tourists had left.

Songkhla governor Weeranant Pengjan saw the bombing as symbolic and aimed at shaking public confidence. He ordered maximum security measures throughout the province, especially in Hat Yai district, where New Year countdowns and celebrations are planned.

Security sources blamed the bombings on the Barisan Revolusi Nasional insurgent group. They said its leaders had met at a school in Chana district and local authorities had been alerted to a possible attack in the area.

The bombings at the two statues were clearly aimed at the tourism sector, the sources said. Tourists from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in particular, enjoy having their photos taken with the sculptures. The explosions could also be a response to recent operations against smugglers bringing in goods of interest to southern insurgent groups.

Local tour guide Jeerawat Nawang said Malaysian and Singaporean tourists had flocked to Songkhla since the start of the Malaysian school holidays last month, but their numbers were now already falling off.