Four dead and dozens injured in Thailand tourist resort bombings

A wave of seemingly coordinated blasts in tourist resorts in Thailand killed four people and injured dozens on Thursday and Friday.

Four bombs exploded over 23 hours in resort town Hua Hin, which killed two people.

There were two blasts in the space of half an hour in Surat Thani in front of police stations, killing one person and a blast in Trang which also killed one person.

There were were two blasts in Patong, a beach town on Phuket island and a blast in Phang Nga, where dozens of people were injured.

No group has claimed responsibility, and Thai police ruled out Islamist or international terrorism, but it is suspected that it may have been carried out by separatists insurgents.

Thai police said that 10 foreigners were injured. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office said tourists in Thailand should listen to local authorities in the region and advised against nonessential travel to Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla on the Thai-Malaysia border.

“We are seeking further information following incidents in Hua Hin in Thailand. We stand ready to provide assistance to any British nationals involved.”

The bombings could affect the country’s tourism, which accounts for 10% of Thailand's gross domestic product.

The first blast in Hua Hin, home to the summer palace of the Thai royal family, was also on the eve of Queen Sirikit’s birthday. Succession to the ailing 88-year-old King is causing concern in Thailand.

In May 2014 the military took control of government and martial law was enforced across the country until April 2015 when it was lifted except in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, the Sadao district of Songkhla and some border areas. Before the military coup there were large demonstrations and protests in the capital Bangkok.

Thailand had been on alert for a possible terrorist attack, as the bombing comes a few days before the first anniversary of a bombing at a Hindu shrine in Bangkok, which killed 22 and injured 100 people.

Only a few days ago Thailand's generals won a referendum for a new constitution which will establish their power even after an election next year, which they had pledged.