More bombs in Hua Hin, elsewhere (Updated)

At least two bombs have exploded in Hua Hin this morning to add to the two bombs last night in which one was killed and 19 injured. There are reports of bombings and fires in other provinces as well.

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Afternoon update

Two men detained after South bombings

Online reporters

Police have reportedly detained two men suspected of involvement in a string of bomb blasts that rocked the South on Thursday night and Friday in which four people were killed and 30 others wounded, according to Thai media.

Pol Maj Gen Piyaphan Pingmuang, deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, said on Friday that numerous bomb blasts in Prachuap Khiri Khan and other southern provinces were not terrorist acts, but acts of sabotage in certain areas.

He insisted Thailand had no conflicts over race and religions among ethnic minorities or was under threats linked to Islamic State (IS) terrorism. The blasts also had no links to unrest in the Deep South of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, he said.

The explosions stemmed from internal conflicts and were aimed at creating chaos, said the deputy police spokesman.

Authorities were also looking into whether fires in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani were linked to the blasts or not.

So far, some suspects have been detained for questioning, said Pol Maj Gen Piyaphan. He declined to reveal the number of detainees.

But TV channels reported that two men were being questionined for suspected involvement in the explosions on Thursday night and Friday morning. The attacks claimed two lives and wounded 30 others, according to the television reports.

National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda on Friday ordered all police agencies to tighten security at important government offices and symbolic places, particularly bus terminals, railway stations, airports, tourist attractions and areas frequented by tourists in the wake of the explosions in the South, Post Today reported.

Noon update

Several TV channels are reporting from Hua Hin that a suspicious bag has been discovered outside a bank. The area has been sealed off and  explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officers are said to be on the way. Officials at the site told a Channel 8 reporter that altogether 6 explosive devices have been discovered although there are rumours of many more.

Phuket and Phang Nga have also reported bomb incidents this morning. In Phuket two bombs exploded on Patong beach and a third was rendered safe, injuring one person.

One bomb exploded at a police booth at the end of Walking Street Road in Thawiwong Road in Patong district. A motorcycle taxi driver was slightly injured.

The two bombs were set off by timers, police said.

In Phang Nga, two bombs exploded Friday morning in Takua Pa district. No casualties were reported.

Meanwhile, Thai Rath reports that the explosive devices in Hua Hin were planted in front of and in back of Hua Hin temple, at a school, and near the clock tower. Thai Rath says one suspect has been apprehended.

Our online reporters now say EOD officers were able to destroy the bomb found planted on a motorcycle parked in nearby Wat Hua Hin about 10am.

However, reports via twitter, say yet another bomb has been discovered outside the local railway station.

Here's more from our online reporters:

Local department stores Hua Hin Market Village and Tesco forced customers to leave the stores, and both bolted their doors, according to a report by Thai Rath TV.

Police in Hua Hin asked the public to stay in their homes to ensure safety.

Friday's explosions occured near the Hua Hin clock tower, shortly after the conclusion of a Buddhist alms-giving ceremony held to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's birthday and Mother's Day.

The ceremony ended at around 8am, and organisers were starting to clear the area when the first device exploded at around 9am.

Just moments later, a second bomb exploded nearby. Four men and a woman were injured in the blasts. Hospital officials said one was in critical condition.

Earlier story

More bombs in Hua Hin, elsewhere

At least two bombs have exploded in Hua Hin this morning to add to the two bombs last night in which one was killed and 19 injured. There are reports of bombings in other provinces as well.

Thai Rath TV reported live from an area near the clock tower in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, where two bombs exploded around 8am. At least four people have been injured, one critically. A warning has just been issued that another bomb has been discovered on a parked motorcycle.

Reports are also coming in of two bombings in Phuket and a bombing outside a police station in Surat Thani which killed one and injured three. A second bomb then went off about 300 metres from the first.

Yesterday at least five people were injured in a bomb explosion in Muang district of Trang.

In addition, there have been serious fires in Trang, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Here is our early morning story on last night's Hua Hin bombings.

Hua Hin bombs kill one, injure many

Online reporters

HUA HIN – "Double-tap" bomb explosions outside a neighbourhood bar Thursday night killed one woman and wounded at least 19 people in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province resort, reports from the scene said.

Police said 19 people were wounded by the twin explosives, 20 minutes apart, on the eve of a long holiday weekend meant to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen and Mother's Day. Seven of the wounded are foreigners.

Municipality police chief, Pol Col Sutthichai Srisopacharoenrat, said the som tam food-cart operator in front of the beer bar was close to the first blast and badly wounded. She died of her wounds after she was rushed to hospital.

"Of the 19 [wounded], three are in serious condition and seven of the injured are foreigners – four women and three men", said Pol Col Sutthichai.

Two of the foreigners were reported by hospital officials to be British, while the nationalities of five others were unknown.

The toll could have been much higher. Bomb shrapnel gathered as evidence indicated the explosives were designed to kill and cause casualties.

Police early Friday were investigating a motive and the type of explosives used.

Bombs are not unusual, but explosions at tourist areas are rare.

Reporters on the scene said via Twitter two bombs hidden in plant pots 50 metres apart were detonated by mobile phones at about 10pm and 10.20.

The reports said the explosions were in a popular night-life area, outside a beer bar at Soi Bintabat, near the Fah Pah intersection in Hua Hin municipality.

The area in central Hua Hin municipality is a popular night-life section of the town, especially for visitors, Thai and foreign alike. It is dotted with beer bars and shops that stay open late and attract holidaymakers.

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