4 killed as Thailand rocked by series of blasts

A series of blasts rocked Thailand, including two famous tourist spots popular with foreigners, within hours, killing four persons and injuring several others.

Two bombs went off in the resort of Hua Hin this morning near the clock tower, a city landmark, killing one and injuring three.

"The bombs went off while we were working on site, they were not very far from each other," said Police Lieutenant Colonel Samoer Yoosumran.

Around 200 metres away, another two bombs exploded late yesterday as foreign tourists were leaving local bars to go back to their hotels, Yoosumran said.

At least 11 people – mostly foreign visitors – were injured and a woman who had a food vending cart in front of a bar was killed, according to Yoosumran.

Hua Hin is a popular coastal resort, about 90 miles (145 kilometres) southwest of the Thai capital, Bangkok. The city is home to many international hotel chains, including the Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt.

It's also home to the Klai Kangwon Palace, the seaside residence of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The palace is located less than about 2 kilometres from the bombing site.

Two more persons were killed in three blasts in Surat Thani and Trang area.

There were reports of bomb explosions in popular resort town of Phuket in Patong beach injuring a few but no fatalities were reported.

Thailand has been hit by eight bomb blasts in the last 24 hours. No Indian has been reported injured in Hua Hin.

The blasts come as the country celebrates the birthday of Queen Sirikit, a day also observed as Mother's Day here.

This is is first time there have been bomb blasts in popular tourist spots like Hua Hin and Phuket.

No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts and it is not clear if they are connected.

The series of blasts come days before the one year anniversary of the Erawan Brahma Shrine bombing, which killed 20 people.

Thailand economy relies on tourism.

Thailand's junta chief said the bombings were an attempt to trigger unrest in a country blighted by a decade-long political crisis.

"The bombs are an attempt to create chaos and confusion," junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha told reporters.

"Why have the bombs occurred as our country is heading towards stability, a better economy and tourism — and who did it? You have to find out," he said.

He ordered the security to be stepped up in the city areas and tourist destinations

"The PM has issued emergency orders to the relevant agencies in the areas to prevent other bombing incident from happening again, increase the security in the crowd areas, and appoint those who responsible to handle the situation on the emergency event," Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

Sansern said it was still too early to identify the suspects or the masterminds, but he assured that the officers will bring those who were responsible for these deadly blasts to justice.

However, he asked all the people to keep vigilant and report to the officers, if they find anything suspicious.