Three bomb blasts have injured more than 60 people in a restive state of southern Thailand, police say.
Three bomb blasts have injured more than 60 people in a restive state of southern Thailand, police say.
The explosions struck near a local government office and a teashop in the state of Narathiwat.
The explosions struck near a local government office and a teashop in the state of Narathiwat.
Police said suspected separatist insurgents were behind the attacks, but no group has claimed responsibility.
Police said suspected separatist insurgents were behind the attacks, but no group has claimed responsibility.
Narathiwat is one of the states worst affected by an insurgency in Thailand's Muslim majority south that has killed more than 2,700 people since 2004.
Narathiwat is one of the states worst affected by an insurgency in Thailand's Muslim majority south that has killed more than 2,700 people since 2004.
A car bomb appeared to target a meeting of village chiefs at a district government office, and was followed minutes later by the bomb at the teashop about 100m (yards) away.
A car bomb appeared to target a meeting of village chiefs at a district government office, and was followed minutes later by the bomb at the teashop about 100m (yards) away.
Local hospitals said a number of the injuries are serious.
Local hospitals said a number of the injuries are serious.
Small bomb blasts occur quite frequently in the south, but incidents on this scale are rare, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
Small bomb blasts occur quite frequently in the south, but incidents on this scale are rare, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
The explosions came a week after new Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat visited the Muslim-majority southern districts and told reporters that the five-year-long insurgency appeared to have eased.
The explosions came a week after new Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat visited the Muslim-majority southern districts and told reporters that the five-year-long insurgency appeared to have eased.
Thailand's three far southern provinces were an ethnic Malay sultanate until mainly Buddhist Thailand annexed the region in 1902.
Thailand's three far southern provinces were an ethnic Malay sultanate until mainly Buddhist Thailand annexed the region in 1902.
The vast majority of people there are Muslim and speak a Malay dialect rather than Thai.
The vast majority of people there are Muslim and speak a Malay dialect rather than Thai.
Violent puzzle
Violent puzzle
Officials have blamed Muslim insurgents for the violence in recent years, although analysts say criminal gangs seeking ascendancy over lucrative border trades are key players.
Officials have blamed Muslim insurgents for the violence in recent years, although analysts say criminal gangs seeking ascendancy over lucrative border trades are key players.
Efforts towards a military solution have foundered, and the military has been involved in tragic atrocities where scores of civilians have been killed.
Efforts towards a military solution have foundered, and the military has been involved in tragic atrocities where scores of civilians have been killed.
Periodic claims by individuals that a ceasefire has been agreed, or talks on peace begun, have resulted in no discernible improvement in security on the ground.
Periodic claims by individuals that a ceasefire has been agreed, or talks on peace begun, have resulted in no discernible improvement in security on the ground.
The violence has ranged from drive-by shootings and bombings, to beheadings.
The violence has ranged from drive-by shootings and bombings, to beheadings.
It appears to target both Buddhists and Muslims associated with the Thai state, such as police, soldiers, teachers and government officials.
It appears to target both Buddhists and Muslims associated with the Thai state, such as police, soldiers, teachers and government officials.
It has continued largely unnoticed by the outside world, with individuals shot and killed by unknown assailants.
It has continued largely unnoticed by the outside world, with individuals shot and killed by unknown assailants.
Reports quoted police saying that a religious teacher was shot dead in Narathiwat province on Monday night, and a man was killed later in a similar attack in nearby Pattani province.
Reports quoted police saying that a religious teacher was shot dead in Narathiwat province on Monday night, and a man was killed later in a similar attack in nearby Pattani province.
No group has claimed responsibility for the violence.
No group has claimed responsibility for the violence.
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