Yala police chief Pol Maj Gen Chote Chavalwiwat said witnesses told police that the bomb was inside a Honda Civic sedan parked in front of a drug store on Siroros road in Muang district.
As a pickup truck carrying eight paramilitary rangers was passing by, the explosive was detonated. One ranger died on the spot and 23 other people, rangers and many nearby civilians, were injured, he said.
The bomb victims were taken to Yala hospital.
Police believed the attack this morning was the work of the same separatist group responsible for two car bombings in business areas of the southernmost province in February.
Previously, military intelligence units had warned Yala security forces that the militants were planning another car bomb attack the province’s business area. The reports predicted the militants would use a black-colour Honda Civic sedan for the operation. The authorities failed to prevent the attack.
This morning's bomb victim was later identified as Staff Sergeant Abhisit Yuangprang of Pattani’s Ranger Unit 47.
Most of the other rangers were seriously injured, the civilians suffered minor injuries, police said.
Several teams of doctors at Yala hospital were trying to save lives of the rangers. Several of whom were in critical condition, police said.
Details of the injured rangers and local residents are as follows:
1. Ranger Noppakun Benjawan
2. Ranger Sakorn Saengsee
3. Ranger Phisuth Sricharoen
4. Ranger Narong Nanantarassamee
5. Ranger Samai Kothtana
6. Ranger Surachai Ritthirat
7. Ranger Ying Suphaksorn (a woman)
8. Nongnud Kathi
9. Jamnong Moh-ah
10. Taeroh To
11. Nareekarn Sangwarnrat
12. Wantanee Phakdeepan
13. Surin Dorloh
14. Ahama Sar
15. Paradee Haratpan
16. Sareepa Jarong
17. Rossada Bormoryador
18. Nipassama Useng
19. Urai Thapthong
20. Sama-air Sadeeyam
21. Nongnud Kasiwut
22. Pranee Sukhakern
23. Hamsoh Khareng
Bangkok Post
