The policemen were injured in the first explosion at about 7am in Ban Daru Moo 3 in Tambon Than Khiri.

Five minutes later a female riding by on a bicycle, Koliyoh Sosasor, 57, was slightly hurt by a blast in the middle of Kabang-Sabayoi Road in Tambon Kabang’s Ban Bannang Dama, just a kilometre from the first incident. It was suspected that the second bomb was intended to injure officials responding to the first incident.

At 8pm in Khok Pho, two defence volunteers guarding Solihiyah School in Ban Koh Ta Moo 3 were slightly injured by an explosion in front of the school. No teachers or students were hurt, although the school immediately closed for the day as a precaution.

Meanwhile, national police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda revealed yesterday that the intelligence agency had warned of attacks in the three southernmost provinces, especially in Narathiwat’s Jor I Rong and Sungai Kolok districts ahead of the August 7 constitutional referendum and throughout this month.

He said the predicted attacks would target state officers and might be carried out by two groups, those linked to local political powers and usual insurgent groups.

He said recent incidents of people spraying messages against the charter vote and audio clips in the region about the draft were being checked. He admitted probes into the incidents would be tough as officers also need to watch out for unrest.