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Published on November 1, 2007

One person died and four others were injured in multiple bomb explosions on a main road dotted with karaoke bars in what was seen as a direct assault on vice in the predominantly Muslim region.

The victim was identified as Anand The-mayu, 27. At least one of the 10 bombs was hidden in a sofa inside one of the bars, police said.

In the nearby border town of Sungai Kolok, known for its nightlife, a bomb squad defused two bombs near two restaurants popular among local residents, while two other bombs exploded in a pre-dawn attack at one restaurant and a small ice factory, injuring two bystanders.

Meanwhile, a group of suspected militants in Yala's Bannang Sata district sprayed a passenger pickup truck full of people with machine-gun bullets, injuring at least seven people.

District chief Methee Kanjana-phuwa said he suspected the attack was in retaliation for the killing of two militants on October 30 in a shootout with government troops.

In Yala's Muang district, Adisorn Sa-leh, a village chief in Tambon Taseh, survived a shooting attack by suspected militants as he was passing by a local mosque while riding home on his motorbike.

In Narathiwat's Rangae district, a soldier was injured in a roadside bomb attack while on patrol.

He was part of a six-man patrol travelling in three separate vehicles. Police found a wallet in the vicinity where the gunfight took place just moments after the bomb attack.

Police identified the owner of the wallet as Paming Chetae, 26.

The spate of attacks yesterday came as another setback to security forces who had been claiming success with their campaign of rounding up suspects in the restive region under the disguise of job training.

A Thai court has intervened in the campaign, saying the detention of the individuals in military camps was illegal and ordered their release on October 30.

The Nation

 Narathiwat