Some of Thailand's most popular tourist resorts have been hit by a series of explosions on two consecutive days. At least four people have been killed in the attacks and dozens more injured. It was not clear who was behind the attacks but police have ruled out links to international terrorism. The blasts come just days after the country voted to accept a military-backed constitution in a referendum.
An injured man is seen lying on on the street after a small bomb exploded in Hua HinMunir Uz Zaman/ AFP
The first deadly explosion happened on a busy street in the upmarket tourist area of Hua Hin on 11 August at roughly 10:20 pm local time. The blast killed a Thai woman, while eight foreigners and one other Thai person were injured. Police said that a bomb went off about 20 minutes before this, about 50 metres away but nobody was injured.
Another explosion occurred in Surath Thani province at 8am local time on Friday 12 August, with the second one occurring 30 minutes later, roughly 500 metres away. Thai media reported that the blasts happened near a police station and a government office. "Surath Thani police will carefully monitor four main entrances to Surath Thani, including all islands, ferries and ports," said Apichart Boonsriroj Surath Thani Provincial Commander.
Hours after witnessing a twin bomb attack the previous evening, Hua Hin witnessed another two blasts on the morning of 12 August, a Thai public holiday, celebrated as Mother's Day. The blast, which occurred near a landmark clock tower, killed one person and left three wounded.
Thai rescue workers attend to an injured victim after a small bomb exploded in Hua HinMunir Uz Zaman/ AFP
An injured woman is stretchered into an ambulance after two bombs exploded in the Thai seaside resort of Hua HinDailyNews/ Reuters
Injured people receive first aid after a blast on the night in the Thai seaside resort of Hua HinReuters
A forensics unit inspects at the scene of a bomb explosion in southern province of Surat ThaniDailyNews/ AFP
Hua Hin Clock Tower is seen near the site of a bomb blast in Hua HinReuters
Injured person receives first aid after two bombs exploded in the Thai seaside resort of Hua HinReuters
An injured woman receives first aid after two bombs exploded in the Thai seaside resort of Hua HinReuters
Injured people receive first aid after two bombs exploded in the Thai seaside resort of Hua HinReuters
Hua Hin District Chief Suthipong Klai-Udom speaks at the scene of a bomb blast in Hua HiReuters
Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) official inspects the site of a bomb blast in Hua HinReuters
A damaged public telephone booth is seen at the site of a bomb blast in Hua HinReuters
Following the blasts in Hua Hin, the tourist beach town Patong on Phuket island saw two small bombs explode on 12 August, with another two more in Phang Nga, another tourist region in Phuket. Reuters reported than one Thai man was wounded in Patong. Police have said that they have not found any evidence that the blasts were co-ordinated, and believe the blasts were acts of local sabotage
The blasts come just days before the anniversary of the Erawan Shrine bombing, which killed 20 people and injured over 100.
Officials investigate at the scene of bomb blasts in the tourist beach town of Patong on Phuket islandReuters
A man holds a flashlight at the scene of a twin bomb explosion in the upscale resort of Hua HinDailyNews/ AFP
Injured people receive first aid after a bomb exploded in Trang provinceReuters
Thai soldiers and sniffer dogs stand near Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist destination that was the site of a bomb attack almost one year ago in BangkokLillian Suwanrumpha/ AFPA monk is treated for a foot wound at the scene of a bomb explosion in southern province of Surat ThaniDailyNews/ AFPThai police officers stand at the site of an explosion in Hua HinDario Pignatelli/ Getty ImagesPolice tape cordons off the burned buildings of a site of the small bomb blast and arson attack on Bang Niang market, Takua PaJerome Taylor/ AFPPolice look at bags of evidence collected from scenes after two bomb blasts in the southern province of Surat ThaniReutersTourists look at a crime seen after a small bomb exploded in Hua HinMunir Uz Zaman/ AFPA man walks past the site of a small bomb blast and arson attack on Bang Niang market, Takua PaJerome Taylor/ AFPThai police mark an evidence which is part a bomb after a small bomb exploded in Hua HinMunir Uz Zaman/ AFPOfficials investigate at the scene of bomb blasts in the tourist beach town of Patong on Phuket islandReutersRescuers and medical officers push an injured person on a gurney at the site of a bomb blast in Hua HinReutersInjured people receive first aid after a bomb exploded in Trang provinceMunir Uz Zaman/ AFPThai rescue workers attend to an injured man after a small bomb exploded in Hua HinMunir Uz Zaman/ AFP
