A rare explosion at a market in the southern province of Trang left one person dead and seven others injured yesterday.

Authorities denied any links between the deadly explosion and insurgency in the southern border region. They pointed to business conflict as a possible motive.

Hunt was on for a man suspected of placing a bag containing an improvised bomb and leaving it at a pavilion located about 800 metres from the Provincial Hall, Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

He said the incident had nothing to do with insurgency attacks in the deep South.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed local authorities to step up security at key locations to prevent a repeat of such violence, the spokesman said.

Yesterday’s blast in Trang initially was found to have no connection with insurgency in the deep South, according to Defence Ministry spokesman Maj-General Kongcheep Tantrawanit.

He said security officials suspected business conflict between local residents to be the motive for the attack.

The explosion occurred at the Centre Point afternoon market on Ruenrom Road in Muang district. Most of the victims were vendors waiting for the market to open in the evening.

Images of two suspects were captured on nearby CCTV cameras.

The dead man was identified as Picherd Wiriyanupappong, a 50-year-old vendor at the market. His wife, Wanthanee, 45, also a vendor, was injured in the chest.

Picherd is the younger brother of The Nation’s Sport Editor Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, who said yesterday in Bangkok that his brother and Picherd’s wife were at their stall in the market when the explosion occurred.

Preechachan, who was heading home, said his family was informed by local doctors that his brother had succumbed to injuries in his back.

Police Major Sunan Sangsawat, the inspector of Trang district police station, said the explosion happened at Centre Point market, which is 100 metres from Trang Provincial Hall and opposite the Trang Provincial Election Commission Office.

He said police saw many injured people being assisted at the bomb site.

Rescue services transported injured victims to a nearby hospital amid the chaos, and some areas were cordoned off for safety reasons.

Other injured victims were identified as Nattapong Sae Loei, 19, who sustained injuries to his leg and back; Wilairat Plongnangchai, 35, who was injured on her foot; and Hama Manlee, 44, who sustained a wounded knee. Supisa Pannara, 39, was wounded on her right thigh; Rampan Pha-ngam, 37, was injured on his back and waist, and Rungthip Kongpinitkij, 53, sustained wounds on her leg, hand and thigh.

Wanwimol Niamsom, 32, one of the traders who witnessed the incident, said the bomb exploded exactly at 3pm while traders were preparing to open their shops.

It detonated at a pavilion where seven to eight people were sitting.

“I saw people collapse on the ground and cry out in pain. I suspect the bomb was planted there and was detonated by a timer,” Wanwimol said.

Former prime minister Chuan Leekpai, who was an MP in the province for almost 50 years, said photos from the scene were terrifying. He said Trang province had never encountered such violence before, adding that he would visit the area today to give moral support to residents.

Trang Governor Dejrath Simsiri yesterday said the area that was hit was supposed to open at 6pm as a walking street, which would allow shops to occupy three out the road’s four lanes, leaving only one lane for traffic.

He said experts were currently investigating the nature of the bomb, and trying to determine if the attack was meant to inflict casualties or sow chaos. He added that he did not think it was a terrorist attack.

Dejrath added that all the wounded victims were being treated and in stable condition.

The governor also urged the public to have patience as the case is being investigated.

“We cannot identify the culprits behind this bombing yet, and we have to wait for officers to look at all the evidence and conclude the investigation. There are many witnesses,” he added.