Bangkok (VNA) – Two bombattacks on the same day in Thailand’s southern province of Pattani were notlinked with the Islamic State (IS), said General Udomdej Sitabutr, Thai DeputyDefence Minister on May 9.
According to Udomdej, intelligenceand security forces of Thailand will maximise their activities to preventsimilar attacks. Thai authorities have been on high alert since last week dueto information of IS elements entering Thailand from Malaysia.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of theInternal Security Operations Command said the attacks were meant to lead tomultiple deaths.
The attack took place at a Big Csupermarket in central Pattani on May 9, wounding 59 people. The first blasthappened at the entrance of the building, while the second bomb exploded about10 minutes later in a truck parked nearby.
No organisations have claimedresponsibility for the attack, while Thai police suspect insurgents in thesouthern region. Pattani police stated that the attacker fled before the blasts.-VNA