Pattani blast kills boy, injures several others

A motorcycle bomb exploded in Pattani Thursday, killing a nine-year-old boy and injuring 12 others just days ahead of the official first round of peace talks between the National Security Council and the BRN-Coordinate.

The negotiations will start on Monday.

Police believed the blast in the heart of Pattani town was staged to fan unrest in the deep South.

Nisoplian Nisani, 9, died immediately, while his mother Waeleemag Jehloh, was among the injured. Most victims are now being treated at the Pattani Hospital.

Pattani Governor Pramuk Lamun expressed his condolences to the victims' families and convened an urgent meeting with security officials.

"We will examine recordings from security cameras and will nail down the culprits," he said.

About five kilograms of explosives were stuffed inside the motorcycle, according to police. The vehicle was parked in front of a bakery shop in a flea-market before the explosives were triggered at around 1.40pm Thursday.

Apart from casualties, the blast damaged seven motorcycles and three cars. It also shattered the windows and doors of many buildings nearby, including Pattani Probation Office and a local police cooperative.