SONGKHLA - Insurgents are suspected in the bombing of an ATM booth and a fire at a local government office in Saba Yoi district of this southern province in the early hours of Saturday. No injuries were reported.
The bomb exploded at an ATM booth in front of the Ban Nod tambon administration organisation (TAO) office, said Pol Lt Nathan Khemisaranon, who was alerted at about 1.50am on Saturday.
The office was torched at the same time. The office and some vehicles parked in the compound were damaged. Nobody was injured, said Pol Lt Nathan.
Bomb disposal officers were dispatched to the scene on Saturday morning to clear up the area around the damaged building, as they feared the attackers might have placed another bomb in the area.
The officers found one fire truck was damaged in the arson attack. They plan to conduct a more detailed survey of damage to the building on Monday.
An initial investigation found that about six assailants blew up the ATM booth and then entered the TAO office to set the fire. They also fired more than 10 gunshots into the building before fleeing on three motorcycles. Security camera video captured their getaway.
Police said they believed the incidents might be the work of insurgents wanting to create unrest in the area.
The two-decade insurgency has been concentrated mainly in the neighbouring provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani, but incidents in Songkhla have become more common in recent years.
Flames rise from the Ban Nod tambon administration office in Saba Yoi district of Songkhla in the early hours of Saturday. A nearby ATM booth was blown up in a suspected insurgent attack. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)