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Three dead in Thailand bombings Thailand PM calls security talks
(about 13 hours later)
At least three people have been killed and scores injured after an apparently co-ordinated series of blasts tore through Thailand's south, police said. Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has called a security meeting following a series of bombings that killed at least six people.
Power and phone lines were cut in the explosions, near the Malaysian border. More than 20 bombs went off in the southern Muslim-majority provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla near the Malaysian border.
The blasts in the southern provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla targeted entertainment venues such as karaoke bars and hotels, police said. Karaoke bars and hotels were targeted and there were extensive power cuts.
More than 1,900 people have been killed in the mostly-Muslim south since rebels launched an insurgency in January 2004. More than 1,900 people have been killed in the south since rebels launched an insurgency in January 2004.
Public targetsPublic targets
Police have advised people in the southern provinces to stay at home after the attacks, apparently by Muslim separatists, hit as Thais celebrated the Lunar New Year. Army spokesman Col Acra Pritroch said the aim of the attackers was to show that the government could not maintain security during the Lunar New Year.
"They use the festival time to show that there is not peace in the three provinces in the south," he said on Thai television.
Police have advised people in the southern provinces to stay at home after the attacks, apparently by Muslim separatists, hit as Thais celebrated the New Year.
Most of the blasts occurred at 1900 (1200 GMT).Most of the blasts occurred at 1900 (1200 GMT).
Petrol stations, karaoke bars, hotels, a golf course and a cinema were hit in Yala.Petrol stations, karaoke bars, hotels, a golf course and a cinema were hit in Yala.
Firebombings targeted electricity transmitters in Pattani province, causing power blackouts across Pattani town, police said.Firebombings targeted electricity transmitters in Pattani province, causing power blackouts across Pattani town, police said.
"There is an effort to make trouble in Pattani province," Pattani police chief Major General Kokiat Wongworachart said."There is an effort to make trouble in Pattani province," Pattani police chief Major General Kokiat Wongworachart said.
"The suspects are trying commit arson in several entertainment areas in several districts in Pattani.""The suspects are trying commit arson in several entertainment areas in several districts in Pattani."
At least five blasts hit in Narathiwat - mostly at karaoke bars - local police said. Two public schools in the province also were torched.At least five blasts hit in Narathiwat - mostly at karaoke bars - local police said. Two public schools in the province also were torched.
Violence has surged in Thailand's south since the military seized power in a bloodless coup in September.Violence has surged in Thailand's south since the military seized power in a bloodless coup in September.
On Friday, military leader Surayud Chulanont said Thailand was willing to hold talks with separatists with the help of neighbouring Malaysia in the army-appointed leader's latest olive branch.On Friday, military leader Surayud Chulanont said Thailand was willing to hold talks with separatists with the help of neighbouring Malaysia in the army-appointed leader's latest olive branch.
The Muslim-majority provinces were once independent but the region was annexed by Thailand 100 years ago.The Muslim-majority provinces were once independent but the region was annexed by Thailand 100 years ago.