UN chief condemns deadly bombings in southern Thailand

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned deadly car bombings in the southern Thai provinces of Songkhla and Yala over the weekend, which reportedly killed at least 13 people and injured hundreds more.

“The Secretary-General deplores such acts of terrorism,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement issued on Monday night. “He extends his deepest sympathies to the Government and people of Thailand and offers his condolences to those that have lost loved ones.”

According to media reports, two bombs hidden in pick-up trucks exploded in a busy shopping street in Yala, and a third blast exploded in the basement car park of a five-star hotel and shopping complex 140 kilometres away in the city of Hat Yai, a regional trade and tourism hub

in Songkhla province.

The attacks reportedly injured more than 300 people.

Thailand’s southern provinces have been plagued by bomb attacks and shootings since 2004, when a separatist campaign reignited. Since then, more than 4,000 people have been killed in the violence.