At around 9:30 p.m., six bombs were detonated in the Ocean Department Store, in front of the Brown Sugar Pub, a car parking building, a Big C shopping mall, the Lee Gardens Hotel and the Diana Department Store.[2] The bombs were planted on motorcycles and were triggered by mobile phone. This later caused Thai authorities to turn off the mobile phone network to prevent any more explosions.[3]
The attacks had marred a day which was supposed to have been dominated by a military peace rally held in the south.
Casualties
Among those killed were a Malaysian, a Canadian and three Thais. A number of other civilians were injured and taken to the hospital where some officials complained that there was not enough blood for them, as the Xinhua news agency reported.[4] Injured civilians totalled up to 82, including 14 foreigners. Those injured foreigners included six Malaysians, three Singaporeans and Britons, an Indian, and an American.[3]
Deaths by nationality
Country
Number
Thailand
3
Malaysia
1
Canada
1
Total
5
Suspects
It is assumed that the South Thailand insurgency carried out the attacks. While no terrorist organisation took responsibility for the bombings, General Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya indicated that Thai authorities had expected bomb attacks in Hat Yai sometime between 16 and 20 September to mark the first anniversary of the Gerakan Mujahidin Islam Patani (GMIP) separatist movement, which is a splinter group of the Gerakan Mujahidin Patani (GMP).[5]
