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Thailand PM calls security talks Thailand PM calls security talks
(about 3 hours later)
Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has called a security meeting following a series of bombings that killed at least six people. Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has called a security meeting after a wave of bombings and shootings that killed at least seven people.
More than 20 bombs went off in the southern Muslim-majority provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla near the Malaysian border. Some 30 bombs went off in southern Thailand in one of the region's worst outbreaks of violence since a Muslim insurgency flared up three years ago.
Karaoke bars and hotels were targeted and there were extensive power cuts. Schools, bars, hotels, a car showroom and a power station were targeted.
More than 1,900 people have been killed in the south since rebels launched an insurgency in January 2004. Thai officials believe the attacks were timed to coincide with the start of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Public targetsPublic targets
Prime Minister Surayud summoned military and security chiefs for emergency talks on the latest attacks.
Most of the blasts happened about 1900 (1200 GMT) on Sunday.
VIOLENCE-HIT SOUTH Home to most of Thailand's 4% Muslim minority Muslim rebels fought the government up to the mid-1980s Suspected militants have upped attacks since 2004, targeting BuddhistsSecurity forces' response criticised by rights groups Thailand's restive south
Petrol stations, karaoke bars, hotels, a golf course and a cinema were hit in the southern province of Yala.
At least one person was killed in blasts at five karaoke bars in Narathiwat province. Two public schools in the province also were torched.
Firebombings targeted electricity transmitters in Pattani province, causing power blackouts across Pattani town, police said.
Three people were shot dead by unidentified assailants. An army major was killed, and his seven-year-old son wounded, by a bomb left in a bag outside his home.
At least 45 people were injured in the wave of attacks.
Police have advised people in the southern provinces to stay at home following the attacks.
Malaysian help
Army spokesman Col Acra Pritroch said the aim of the attackers was to show that the government could not maintain security during the Lunar New Year.Army spokesman Col Acra Pritroch said the aim of the attackers was to show that the government could not maintain security during the Lunar New Year.
"They use the festival time to show that there is not peace in the three provinces in the south," he said on Thai television."They use the festival time to show that there is not peace in the three provinces in the south," he said on Thai television.
Police have advised people in the southern provinces to stay at home after the attacks, apparently by Muslim separatists, hit as Thais celebrated the New Year. Nearly 2,000 people have been killed in Thailand's south since an insurgency was launched there in January 2004.
Most of the blasts occurred at 1900 (1200 GMT). Violence has surged since the military seized power in a bloodless coup in September.
Petrol stations, karaoke bars, hotels, a golf course and a cinema were hit in Yala. On Friday, Gen Surayud said Thailand was willing to hold talks with separatists with the help of neighbouring Malaysia in the army-appointed leader's latest olive branch.
Firebombings targeted electricity transmitters in Pattani province, causing power blackouts across Pattani town, police said.
"There is an effort to make trouble in Pattani province," Pattani police chief Major General Kokiat Wongworachart said.
"The suspects are trying commit arson in several entertainment areas in several districts in Pattani."
At least five blasts hit in Narathiwat - mostly at karaoke bars - local police said. Two public schools in the province also were torched.
Violence has surged in Thailand's south since the military seized power in a bloodless coup in September.
On Friday, military leader Surayud Chulanont said Thailand was willing to hold talks with separatists with the help of neighbouring Malaysia in the army-appointed leader's latest olive branch.
The Muslim-majority provinces were once independent but the region was annexed by Thailand 100 years ago.The Muslim-majority provinces were once independent but the region was annexed by Thailand 100 years ago.
Most of the population in the region are ethnic Malays who have long felt discriminated against by the Buddhist majority in Thailand, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says.