Gulf nation ministers escape bomb blast in Thailand

Bangkok, Jan 28 (UNI) Ministers from three Arab nations visiting Pattani province to attend a ceremony this morning escaped a bomb, planted by suspected Islamic separatists, as it went off minutes after they passed the spot in south Thailand.

Islamic affairs ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were travelling to attend the graduation ceremony at the Islamic College on Prince Songkla University's Pattani Campus in Pattani province.

The ministers were accompanied by the Interior minister, in the interim Thai government, who was to chair the ceremony.

According to police, the blast, triggered by a remote control, occurred just 15 minutes after the ministers had passed the spot.

Three policemen were injured in the blast.

The bomb, placed on the roof of a house, was apparently not targeted at the ministers. The bomb had a note warning that those who let security personnel stay in their houses would meet the same fate.

Over 2,000 people have been killed since the outbreak of separatist violence in Thailand's three Muslim-majority southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat three years ago.

UNI