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Four confirmed dead in Thai bombs Four killed in Thai bomb blasts
(about 1 hour later)
At least four people are now known to have died in a series of bomb blasts in Hat Yai, southern Thailand. Four people are now known to have died in a series of bomb blasts in southern Thailand's commercial hub, Hat Yai.
Officials said a Canadian tourist was among the dead - the first Westerner to be killed by the ongoing separatist insurgency in the region. A Canadian tourist was among those killed in Saturday evening's bombings, becoming the first Westerner to be killed by the separatist insurgency.
About 70 other people were injured in the blasts, several of them foreigners.About 70 other people were injured in the blasts, several of them foreigners.
After the attacks, more than 1,000 foreign and Thai tourists staying in hotels in Hat Yai were moved from the area, according to local media reports. The blasts were the latest in a string of violent incidents in the restive south, where more than 1,500 people have been killed since January 2004.
The blasts on Saturday were the latest in a string of violent incidents in the Thai south.
The attacks came within hours of a peace rally staged by military forces in the south, where authorities said they hoped people would work with them to halt violence.
Almost 1,700 people have died since the insurgency began in the three southern-most Thai provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala in January 2004.
Officials blame Muslim insurgents for much of the unrest, although criminal gangs are also thought to be behind some of the attacks.Officials blame Muslim insurgents for much of the unrest, although criminal gangs are also thought to be behind some of the attacks.
'I feel lucky'
Thai media reported that the bombs were hidden in motorcycles and triggered by mobile phones.
Every time a bomb goes off, it will certainly affect tourism Nimit ChaichirathikulTourism official There were six bombs in total - mostly placed near department stores and restaurants.
Television pictures showed the Odeon and Big C department stores on fire.
"I feel really lucky today," one Australian survivor told AFP news agency on Sunday, standing near the wreckage of the Brown Sugar Bar and Cafe, where he was drinking the night before.
The authorities had tightened security in the south over the weekend, fearing attacks to coincide with the anniversary of the foundation of one of the separatist groups there, the Gerakan Mujahideen Pattani (GMP).
A gathering to promote peace was also held on Saturday in Yala province, organised by the Thai army.
The bombs in Hat Yai, Songhkla province, were further north than the usual areas targeted by the insurgents - the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Hat Yai is anxious to promote itself as a tourist destination, but correspondents say it has struggled to attract visitors, as a result of a bomb attack on the city's airport in April last year.
"The numbers of tourists will decline," said Nimit Chaichirathikul, president of the Tourism Association in Songkhla.
"Every time a bomb goes off, it will certainly affect tourism. I already am hearing that hotels are getting cancellations since the bombings," he told the Associated Press.