Thai deputy PM says Yala explosions not related to Bangkok blasts

BANGKOK - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said on Wednesday that the latest spate of explosions in Thailand's deep southern province of Yala were unrelated with the Bangkok explosions earlier this month.

At least eight civilians were injured in a spate of explosions targeting power poles and an ATM in several districts on Tuesday.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the violent incidents, but security officials believed they were perpetrated by separatist insurgents to create unrest and undermine the provincial economy.

The explosion at a power pole on a local road in Yala Province caused a widespread blackout for several hours.

Two passers-by were injured and rushed to the provincial hospital for treatment.

Police also said that several car tyres were set alight in Penang district of Yala Province.

In Tharn To district of Yala, an ATM and a convenience store were hit by explosions, causing injuries to six civilians.

Gen Prawit who takes charge of national security in Thailand said he received intelligence report regarding the Yala explosion, but declined to give further details to the local media.

The insurgency in predominantly Buddhist Thailand's restive South has claimed the lives of nearly 7,000 people since 2004 and peace talks have largely stalled.

On Aug 2, six small bombs exploded at three locations in Bangkok, injuring four people and rattling the Thai capital as it hosted a Southeast Asian foreign ministers' meeting.