SOUTHERN VIOLENCE

Bomb explodes on route of visiting Arab ministers

Pattani - Visiting Islamic affairs ministers from three Arab countries narrowly escaped a bomb attack in this southern border province Sunday morning, police said.

Pol Lt-Col Pracha Chuaydee, an inspector of Tambon Sarong police station in Yaring district, said the bomb exploded at 10:30 am, just 15 minutes after the visiting ministers led by Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya passed the spot on their way to an Islamic college.

Pracha said the bomb was hidden on the roof of a rented house of Abdulloh Abu, located on the mouth of the soi leading to Islamic College, of Prince Songkla University's Pattani Campus.

Aree led the Islamic affairs ministers from Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to chair a graduation ceremony at the college. The college is located about 10 kilometres away.

The bomb slightly injured three border patrol policemen, identified as Pol Senior Sgt-Maj Wichai Srisuk, Pol Lance Cpl Prasert Saengpratoke and Pol Lance Cpl Sarawut Somda.

Police said the bomb weighed about 4 kilogrammes.

Police found a note saying, anyone who let police and soldiers stayed at his or her house would face the same fate.

Police said the bomb was detonated by a remote control.

The Nation Thailand
Sunday January 28, 2007