Six bomb explosions in Yala on New Year’s eve

YALA: Six bomb explosions went off in this southern border province on Dec 31 – two in Muang district and four in Bannang Sata – and the Barisan Revolosi Nasional (BRN) claimed responsibility for the blasts, Pol Maj Gen Tinnakorn Rangmat, the provincial police chief, confirmed on Sunday.

In Muang district, the explosions went off at two spots.

At the first spot, the explosion broke down two power posts by Highway 409 at Ban Tha Sap or the Moo 1 village of tambon Tha Sap. The second bomb went off at a power post near a power plant at Ban Phong Yirai in tambon Phong Yirai.

In Bannang Sata district, the bombs exploded at four spots.

The first bomb went off at a power post by Highway 410 opposite a rubber wood processing factory at Ban Pa Wang or Moo 1 village.

The second and third explosions were at a power post and a mobile phone signal post at the T-junction of Ban Bue Su or Moo 6 village.

The fourth blast went off near a power post at Ban Kasang or Moo 3 village in tambon Tano Puto.

According to Pol Maj Gen Tinnakorn, the explosions inflicted no casualties but caused some power posts to fall, leading to a blackout. However, the Provincial Electricity Authority managed to repair the damage and the power supply resumed shortly afterward.

All of the bombs were locally made with fire extinguisher cylinders and timed to explode.

The officer, however, did not reveal the exact times of the six explosions.

He said the BRN posted on its website, claiming the bombs were the work of its “warriors of a new generation” to show their potential.