7 bombs go off in 2 towns in Thailand's south

BANGKOK: Seven bombs exploded late Saturday near several 7-11 convenience stories in Thailand's restive south, injuring two people, police said.

The attacks took place in the relatively peaceful province of Songkhla, with five bombs going off in Songkhla township and two in Haadyai, said Police Major General Wirun Iampaichit, chief of Songkhla provincial police.

"Police are investigating the incidents but so far we concluded the bombers wanted to threaten and cause trouble, rather than kill anyone since they were small bombs," said Wirun.

He said the bombs were placed in trash cans near the convenience stores and the two people injured were passing a store in Songkhla when one explosive went off.

It was not immediately clear whether the attacks were the work of Muslim insurgents.

Songkhla is adjacent to the three predominantly Muslim provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat where more than 3,300 people have been killed since insurgents launch their offensive against the Thai government in 2004.

Muslims in the south say the central government of mainly Buddhist Thailand discriminates against them, especially in jobs and education.