Asia-Pacific

Soldiers injured in attacks in S. Thailand

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-03 17:34

BANGKOK - Several soldiers were injured in separate bomb attacks by suspected insurgents in Thailand's deep South on Wednesday, local media reported.

In Yala province, as a force of nine soldiers were patrolling in Patae sub-district in Yaha district, a bomb planted by the suspected militants exploded, Thai News Agency reported.

In the ambush, Private Weerawat Klunniam, was hurt by the bomb shrapnel at his chest and was sent to the Yala provincial hospital.

In a related development, in Narathiwas province, according to the website by The Nation newspaper, suspected insurgents detonated a roadside bomb, which was aimed at ambushing a military force.

Lt Col Boonyung Najaras, deputy commander of the Paramilitary Troopers Taskforce was not wounded, but five other troopers were slightly injured by the blast.

The incident happened at 08:00 am local time, on the Puerang- Yaning Road in a village of Joh I Rong district.

They were attacked as they were traveling in a pick-up truck in order to attend a meeting with community leaders at the Joh I Rong district office.

Thailand's deep South comprises mainly the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwas, and the four districts of Song-kla province.

Over 3,500 people have been killed by daily violence attack by the suspected separatists since January 2004.