In Bacho, following a 7.20am report about two explosions targeting eight soldiers riding four motorcycles, Bacho superintendent Pol Colonel Patta Madawa led a team to inspect the scene on Phetchakesem Highway near Som Poy Mosque in Tambon Kayo Mati.

The first bomb hit the motorcycle ridden by team leader Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Ong-art Sihabutr and Private Aran Panphrom, while the second bomb – believed to have targeted investigators responding to the first incident – went off 10 minutes later without causing injuries.

One of the bombs, which appeared to be a five-kilogram explosive housed in metal box, detonated on the left shoulder of the road causing a 30-centimetre by 60cm hole, while the other charge in a 20kg cooking cylinder planted in the middle of road caused a 90cm by 120cm crater.

On Sunday night, a series of small bombings in Yaha municipality area caused damage to the front facades of four shops while another explosive was defused.

Yala police chief Pol Maj-General Itthipol Atchariyapradit led a team to inspect the sites of the bombings to gather evidence yesterday morning, with police initially saying the bombs were just meant to damage property and destabilise the region.