Brilio.net/en - Aseries of bombings has hit Thailandjust a day after its military-backedgovernment announced potential threats to the nation aftercementingits new constitutional power with a popular vote, killing at least threeand injuring 27.
On Thursday, a bomb exploded near a market in the southern Trang Province, leaving one dead and six injured. As the day progressed, another two blasts hit the Hua Hin resort town in Prachuat Khiri Khan Province, killing a woman and wounding 21, including nine tourists.
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Series of explosions hits Thailand tourist hotspots
The carnage continued on Friday.Just minutes after the national anthem to commemorate the Queens birthday had concluded at the coastal palace of Hua Hin, the town was hit byanother two bomb blasts.
Three other destinations were also hit: Surat Thani, Phang Nga and the Patong beach in Phuket were also targeted on the day. Altogether, two people had died and six were left injured.
Locations of the bomb blasts
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Police say thebombswere hidden in pot plants outside beer bars and detonated by mobile telephone at 30-minute intervals.
Authoritieswere quick to dismiss Islamic terrorists as the culprits.
A local policeMaj. Gen. Piyapan Pingmuang, a local police spokesman, points his fingers at local antagonism.
In his statement, he revealed that this is different from the terrorism that has taken place in many countries. This is local sabotage.
Almost exactly a year ago on August 17, a bomb planted by a member of the Turkish nationalist group Grey Wolves killed 20 people and injured 125 at the Erawan Shrine in central Bangkok.
Anti-military motivations?
Zachary Abuza, a professor at the Thai National War College and a researcher on politics and security in Southeast Asia, believes that the masterminds behind the attacks are those opposed to the military government that took power in2014.
The bombings had taken place just four days after Thai citizens approved of a consitutional change tightening military. Opponents of the military, however, were restricted from campaigning against the decision.
Abuzasaid the restrictions on campaigning ahead of the referendum must (have) convinced some that only extralegal means can be effective.
He further added that, its been years since they have been able to pull off coordinated attacks across multiple cities and provinces, and when they have, its always been confined to the deep south.
Investigations are ongoing.