ATM destroyed in front of University in Pattani, police looking for 10 suspect attackers

PHOTO: Thai PBS

Security officials are on high alert in southern Thailand after two explosions went off early yesterday, damaging ATMs in front of a University.

Security is being tightened up at banks, markets, convenience stores and government offices in 12 districts of Pattani, one fo the three southern-most provinces.

At this stage security officials are blaming separatist insurgents for the attacks in front of Fahlorni University in Ba Sarong and on Road 409 between 12.20am and 2am. The perpetrators also burned car tyres near the scene of the blast on Road 409. No one was injured in the explosions.

Thai PBS reports that a Twitter user, believed to be a university student, tweeted that his hostel is not far away from the location of the two explosions and that they were very loud. He said, although he has heard several explosions before, he is still not used to it, adding that a university security guard might have some information about the perpetrators because he was tied up with a rope and assaulted before the explosions.

The provincial police commander says that about 10 suspected separatist insurgents were involved in the incidents and they stole all the cash from the damaged ATM.

Investigation continue into the identity of the attackers and possible connections to the explosions set off around Bangkok on Friday morning.

SOURCE: Thai PBS