« em: Maio 17, 2004, 06:24:59 am »
Blasts rock Thai Buddhist temples
Bombs have exploded at three Buddhist temples in Thailand's troubled mainly-Muslim south.
A bystander was slightly wounded outside one temple, Reuters reports.
Police in Narathiwat province said the temples were not seriously damaged by the bombs, which went off within an hour of each other.
The blasts are the first serious incident since Thai security forces killed more than 100 suspected Muslim militants in the region last month.
The explosive devices were placed at the gates of each of the temples, in three different districts - Takbai, Ruesoh and Rangae.
"We are investigating. We believe that the people behind the explosions are people who want to create unrest," provincial police commander Colonel Kachen Kochtarayu told AFP news agency.
"We don't know who they are or what kind of bombs were used."
THAILAND'S TROUBLED SOUTH
Militant violence reported in three provinces on 29 April: Yala, Songkhla and Pattani
Thailand is overwhelmingly Buddhist with Muslims making up 3.8%
Separatist rebellions have occurred periodically for centuries
Who was behind the violence?
Southern Thailand has experienced a wave of violence this year including arson attacks and murders targeting government officials, security forces and Buddhist monks.
The worst day of violence this year was on 28 April when security forces killed more than 108 suspected militants who staged a series of attacks on police stations in three southern provinces.
The bloodiest incident that day took place when soldiers stormed a mosque in Pattani province and killed more than 30 suspects hiding inside.
Critics accuse the government of excessive force.
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has ordered an independent investigation into the Pattani incident.
