ONE KILLED, 28 INJURED IN EXPLOSION IN SOUTHERN THAI

BANGKOK, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- A 69-year-old man was killed while 28 others
were injured when two powerful bombs exploded at a restaurant in the restive
southern province of Pattani on Thursday.

A Thai Army spokesman said the incident happened around 12.45pm when
Buddhist villagers were having lunch at the restaurant in Muang district.

No one was injured in the first explosion, he said, adding that the bomb was
meant to attract police and soldiers to the area.

"When police and soldiers were investigating, a second bomb, placed on a
motorcycle, exploded not far from the first," he said.

The powerful explosion injured many customers at the restaurant and nearby
shops as well as those riding motorcycles.

He said a two-year-old boy was also injured in the incident, which came a
week after a powerful bomb inside a pick-up exploded outside a restaurant in
Narathiwat and injuring 42 people.

More than 3,500 people had died in daily violence since separatist groups
resumed their armed campaign in January, 2004 to seek independence for three
Muslim-majority provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
-- BERNAMA