PHATTHALUNG: A security alert has been issued in this southern border province after seven bombs exploded -- and three others were discovered and destroyed -- in Pak Phayun district on Sunday morning. There were no casualties, police said.
Pol Lt Col Samroeng Machu, a Pak Phayun police investigator, said the first three bombs exploded at three grocery shops in Moo 3, Moo 11 and Moo 4 villages in tambon Don Pradu.
The explosions caused damage to the three shops, but no-one was hurt.
A fourth home-made bomb was found in a trash bin behind the Pak Phayun Kindergarten, and was later destroyed.
The fifth device went off at a bicycle shop in Moo 5 village of tambon Pak Phayun, damaging the interior.
The sixth bomb was hidden in a flowerbed by the Han Thao-Pak Phayun road. It exploded, damaging a passing pick-up truck.
The seventh device, hidden in a black suitcase left on a rail track between Han Thao and Khok Sai railway stations, was discovered at about 10am. The bomb -- made of a PVC pipe 5 inches in diameter and 17 inches long -- was destroyed in a rubber plantation by the rail track. The bomb could have severely damaged the rail track if it had exploded. Train traffic was halted for about three hours.
The eighth bomb was found in front of the office of the Tambon Pak Phayun Municipality, and was later destroyed.
The ninth and tenth home-made bombs exploded in two public toilets at the King Rama IX Chalerm Phra Kiat public park.
No casualties were reported from any of the explosions.