SUNGAI GOLOK (Southern Thailand): A three-year-old boy was among four Malaysians and a Thai national killed in multiple bomb blasts that also wounded at least 50 people in this popular border town.
This prompted authorities to jam mobile phone signals to prevent further blasts.
The Malaysians killed were identified as Wong Kai Sean (pic), three, his grandfather Wong Hong Yep, 63, Chan Yew Soon, 63, all from Kota Baru, and Foong Foo Keah, 45, from Kuantan.
The other casualty was an unidentified Thai volunteer worker, said to be 38 years old.
The first blast that rocked the busy tourist street occurred near a hotel along the 500m stretch at about 7.30pm.
A second bomb exploded near a Thai-Chinese cultural centre while the third blast happened in the midst of a packed crowd who were drawn to the town's shopping outlets, night joints and notorious bars.
The explosions were so powerful that they caused a blackout. Power was eventually restored at 10pm.
Sungai Golok deputy mayor Rusdi Che Omar said scores of people, including 19 Malaysians, were injured in the blasts.
Little Kai Sean was killed on the spot while his grandfather died while being rushed to the Yala Hospital.
The boy's parents, Wong Wai Siong, 33, and Ang Ra Yat, 35, were shopping with another child when the explosions occurred.
Foong succumbed to injuries while being taken to the Sungai Golok district hospital, Rusdi told reporters here.
He said the authorities believed the blasts could be the work of drug lords or insurgents.
“What we know is that the blasts were detonated via remote control and police are investigating the case thoroughly,” he added.
A check by The Star showed the road has been closed to the public while work to repair the damage has begun.
