Thai caretaker PM concerned over frequent bomb blasts

Thai caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Tuesday expressed concern over recent bomb explosions in the southernmost province of Yala.

A series of bomb blasts occurred in Yala during the last two days, leaving one person dead and at least 28 others injured, reported Xinhua

The attacks, believed to be launched by insurgents, also caused substantial damage to the local economy.

Yingluck said she has instructed military leaders to take measures to protect the public and economic zones in the violence-ridden province.

The explosions, the most serious in a decade, have caused losses totalling about 300 million baht ($9.3 million) to retail, wholesale and furniture businesses and private property, chairman of Yala's Chamber of Commerce Noppong Theeraworn said earlier.

Yingluck urged agencies concerned to immediately help those affected by the bombings.

Since January 2004, separatist violence has plagued Thailand's deep south, including three Muslim, ethnic-Malay dominated southern border provinces -- Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat -- and four districts of Songkhla.

Figures from the Thai military show that insurgent violence in the deep south has left more than 5,900 people dead and 10,600 injured during the past decade.