2006 Hat Yai bombings

Infobox terrorist attack
title=2006 Hat Yai bombings


caption=
location=Hat Yai, Thailand
target=Various
date=September 16, 2006
time-begin=9:30PM
time-end=Unknown
timezone=UTC+7
type=multiple bombings
fatalities=4
injuries=82
perps=possibly Pattani insurgents The 2006 Hat Yai bombings took place in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, Thailand on September 16, 2006 and are believed to be part of the on-going South Thailand insurgency. At least four people were killed and 82 were injured. ["Bomb Blast Aftermath." "Bangkok Post". 18 September 2006. Page 4.] [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060917/wl_afp/thailandsouthunrestblasttoll_060917011751] The attacks were similar to the 2005 Songkhla bombings.

The attacks

The attack consisted of six bombs which were detonated at around 9:30 pm in the Ocean Department Store, in front of the Brown Sugar Pub, a car parking building, Big C shopping mall, the Lee Garden Hotel and Diana Department Store. ["Bomb Blast Aftermath." "Bangkok Post". 18 September 2006. Page 4.] [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-09/17/content_5099839.htm] The bombs were planted on motorcycles and were triggered by mobile phone. The attacks have marred a day which was supposed to have been dominated by a military peace rally held in the south.

Casualties

Among those killed were a Malaysian, a Canadian and two Thai people. The injured were taken to the hospital where some officials complained that there was not enough blood for them, the Xin Hua news agency reported at [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-09/17/content_5099839.htm] .

Suspects

It is assumed that the South Thailand insurgency carried out the attacks. While no terrorist organization took responsibility for the bombings, General Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya indicated that Thai authorities had expected bomb attacks in Hat Yai sometime between September 16 and 20th to mark the first anniversary of the Gerakan Mujahidin Islam Pattani (GMIP) separatist movement, which is a splinter group of the Gerakan Mujahidin Pattani. ["Security 'loophole' admitted." "Bangkok Post". 18 September 2006. Page 1.]

References

See also

* 2005 Songkhla bombings
* South Thailand insurgency