Wave of bombings in Thai south 'targeted ethnic Chinese'

The Straits Times, February 20, 2007

BANGKOK - MILITANTS involved in the binge of bombings and shootings in southern Thailand provinces targeted Thai Chinese celebrating Chinese New Year and tourist sites popular with visitors from Singapore, reports said.

Among the sites targeted were Betong and the border town of Sungai Kolok. Both are popular with tourists from Singapore and Malaysia.

Betong, best known for its night-time entertainment, has rarely been targeted by Muslim militants in the past, the Bangkok Post said.

Nine people died and 44 others were injured in the attacks that began on Sunday and continued yesterday.

The attacks were the second wave of bombings Thailand has faced in recent months.

Bangkok was struck on Dec 31 by a series of eight explosions in which three people were killed and almost 40 wounded.

In the latest attacks, insurgents were trying to scare ethnic Chinese celebrating the holiday into fleeing the predominantly Muslim region, said army spokesman Colonel Akara Thiprote.

'The insurgents wanted to scare away Chinese businessmen from the region. That's why they attacked on Sunday, the day that Chinese people celebrate after they pay homage to their ancestors. The insurgents do not want people of other religions to live with them,' Col Akara said.

Ethnic Chinese in southern Thailand are mostly Buddhists and Taoists.

The authorities in the problem-plagued provinces have expressed some frustration with Bangkok's management of the security situation.

'We would like to see some clear measures from the government to solve the security problem down here,' said Mr Khunnawut Mongkhonprajak, mayor of Betong.

The town was hit by eight bombs on Sunday night, killing one karaoke waitress and injuring seven other people, the Bangkok Post said.

Five bombs exploded in Sungai Kolok.

Reports said bombings also ocurred in the Chana and Thepha districts of Songkhla, but no injuries were reported.

ASSOCIATED PRESS