The Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team officials will also be visiting the victims at home periodically to prevent long-term trauma, said a statement from the ministry’s Centre for Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation yesterday.

The victims were divided into four groups: relatives of the deceased persons; those injured in the attacks and their relatives; those living near the bombing sites as well as the general public and tourists; and local business operators within a 100-metre radius of the bombing sites.

The mental health of these people will be assessed, while officials will also provide them with advice on dealing with stress and depression, and provide motivation for them to continue living. Those seeking mental health advice can call the ministry’s 1323 hotline round the clock.

The bombings and arson attacks in the provinces of Trang, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Ranong resulted in 37 people getting injured – 23 of whom (15 Thais and eight foreigners) are undergoing treatment, the centre said. As of yesterday doctors released 11 Thais and three foreigners from hospital, the centre reported.

In related news, Trang governor Dejrath Simsiri and team yesterday presented Bt5,000 in assistance funds to each of the six victims wounded in the Thursday bombing at Centre Point shopping mall. The patients are being treated at Wattanapat Hospital Trang and will be discharged in three days.

The family of Picherd Wiriyanupappong who died in the bombing was given Bt25,000 to help with funeral expenses on Friday.

Picherd’s wife Wanthanee, who also sustained injuries from the bombing, was out of the intensive care unit yesterday.