Thai bomb attack ‘aimed at tourists’

Around 30 people, including tourists, are reported to have been injured in a bomb blast in Thailand – the first such attack believed to have been aimed at the tourism industry. The bomb exploded on Saturday in a bar in Sungai Kolok, in the southern Narathiwat province. The area, which has nightspots, bars and brothels, is near the Malaysian border and many Malaysian visitors were among those hurt. According to The Australian newspaper, local police captain Paibul Wattatham said the bomb was placed on top of a motorcycle near the Top Ten 2004 karaoke bar. Two of those hurt are reportedly in a critical condition. After visiting victims in hospital, deputy prime minister Wan Muhamad Noor Matha reportedly said: “These people deliberately want to damage the tourism environment of Thailand.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad