KOTA BARU: The two Malaysian men injured in a bomb blast in Tak Bai district, Narathiwat, southern Thailand on Monday (June 29) morning had entered the kingdom legally.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said they received information from the Thai police and established that one victim is from Kelantan and the other from Sabah.
"We believe the victims' families are already aware of the incident, and the Kelantan police will try to assist with whatever is needed.
"However, we are awaiting further information from the Thai police," he said when contacted.
The incident happened at 11.40am when two men, aged 38 and 45, were travelling from Tak Bai to Narathiwat town. Their vehicle was struck by a bomb blast that targeted a security volunteer team vehicle, leaving both injured.
"Previously, such incidents occurred more than 80 kilometres from the border, but today it was just 15 km from the Malaysian border," said Mohd Yusoff.
Meanwhile, Narathiwat police chief Major General Prayong Khoksakha said initial investigations found that the improvised explosive device (IED), weighing about 70 kg, was detonated using a mobile phone.
The main target was a vehicle from the Sungai Golok volunteer force travelling in the right lane.
The car carrying the two Malaysians overtook the volunteer force vehicle just before the bomb exploded and took the full impact of the blast.
Both victims were taken to Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Hospital for treatment. One of the men suffered serious injuries. – Bernama
