NARATHIWAT : Five bombs exploded in quick succession yesterday evening in Rueso and Muang districts, injuring 9 people, local authorities say.
The first three blasts were reported in Rueso district, injuring two people. The first bomb went off about 6.05pm outside the Ban Plai Na 7-Eleven branch. The other two blasts occurred next to Kanchanaphisek Park and in a location 200 metres up the street from the 7-Eleven explosion.
In Muang district, two blasts were reported about 6.15 pm outside a karaoke bar in tambon Bang Nak and a shophouse located 60 metres away. The blast injured seven people.
Local authorities were investigating the bomb attacks.
Meanwhile, a civilian was killed and a defence volunteer injured in separate attacks in Pattani province yesterday, police said.
Pol Col Jirasate Dao-ngerntrakul, chief of Sai Buri police, said he received a report of a drive-by shooting at 6.30am. Jae-airsoh Yakoh, 52, was attacked while she was riding her motorcycle when a gunman on another motorbike fired at her.
Jae-airsoh, who was returning home from a teashop, was shot in the head with a .38-calibre pistol. Villagers nearby took her to Sai Buri Crown Prince Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
At 9.30am, police received a report of a roadside bombing in Pattani's Yarang district, injuring a defence volunteer identified as Somphan Limbara, 24. The bomb went off as a team of soldiers were on patrol in a village.
Police rushed to the scene and collected 17 M16 bullet shells. Police are investigating the cause.
In Narathiwat on Sunday night, soldiers exchanged fire with around seven members of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) militant group and seized a stash of guns and ammunition after a 30-minute gunfight.
Troops detained one of the RKK members and also seized cell phones, cash and a pickup truck.