Bombs Greet Thai and Malaysian leaders

Five bombs exploded across Thailand's restive Muslim south during a visit to the region by Thai and Malaysian leaders. Suspected separatists are believed to be responsible.

Fourteen members of Thailand's massive security contingency were wounded when bombs were detonated in Yala Province and neighboring Narathiwat, where Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Malaysia counterpart Najib Razak were visiting to highlight the government's efforts to win hearts and minds.

None of the bombs exploded anywhere near the prime ministers' convoy.

The ministers visited an Islamic school and also attended the opening of the Friendship Bridge linking the two countries.

The Malaysian prime minister favors some form of autonomy for the predominantly ethnic Malay region. He has pledged his backing to the Thai government, urging local people to support efforts to restore peace.

The Thai PM ruled out dialogue with the shadowy rebels but said a political solution is urgently needed. Critics say his economic stimulus measures and small-scale development plans will do nothing to curb the unrest.

The two countries have pledged to work together to tackle the violence by sharing intelligence, improving the local economy and tracking the movement of suspected insurgents.

Separatist tensions have long simmered in this area since the rubber-rich region, once an independent Malay-Muslim sultanate was annexed by Buddhist Thailand a century ago.

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News & Politics

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• NTD
• NTDTV
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Muslim
• Abhisit Vejjajiva
• Bombs
• Yala Province