Two Malaysians Injured In Southern Thailand Bomb Blast Entered Legally - Police

KOTA BHARU, June 29 (Bernama) -- Two Malaysian men injured in a bomb blast in Tak Bai district, Narathiwat, southern Thailand this morning, had entered the kingdom legally.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said they received information from the Thai police and established that one victim is from Kelantan and the other from Sabah.

"We believe the victims' families are already aware of the incident, and the Kelantan police will try to assist with whatever is needed.

"However, we are awaiting further investigations from the Thai police," he said when contacted today.

Mohd Yusoff advised Malaysians, especially from Kelantan, against travelling to the neighbouring country unless they have urgent matters to avoid untoward incidents.

"Previously, such incidents occurred more than 80 kilometres from the border, but today it was just 15 km from the Malaysian border," he said.

The incident happened at 11.40 am when two men, aged 38 and 45, were travelling from Tak Bai to Narathiwat town. Their vehicle was struck by a bomb blast that targeted a security volunteer team vehicle, leaving both men injured.

Narathiwat police chief Major General Prayong Khoksakha said initial investigations found that the improvised explosive device (IED), weighing about 70 kg, was detonated using a mobile phone. The main target was a vehicle from the Sungai Golok volunteer force travelling in the right lane.

The car carrying the two Malaysians overtook the volunteer force vehicle just before the bomb exploded. Their vehicle took the full impact of the blast.

Both victims were taken to Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Hospital for treatment. One of the men suffered serious injuries.

-- BERNAMA