2 Malaysians injured in Thailand bomb blast return home

BANGKOK: Two Malaysians injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Thailand’s Narathiwat province yesterday have returned to Malaysia, the foreign ministry said.

In a statement today, Wisma Putra said both victims were discharged from Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital with the assistance of local authorities before being escorted to the Sungai Golok-Rantau Panjang border crossing.

The Malaysian consulate-general in Songkhla coordinated with authorities in Rantau Panjang to facilitate immigration clearance at the Malaysia-Thailand border.

“Upon completion of the clearance process, both victims were transported by ambulance to a hospital in Kelantan for further medical treatment,” the ministry said.

Wisma Putra also expressed its appreciation to the Thai government and local authorities in Narathiwat for their assistance and cooperation in ensuring the safety and welfare of the Malaysians involved.

In the incident at about 11.40am, the two Malaysians were travelling in an SUV when an IED hidden in a roadside culvert exploded near the Sapom intersection in Tak Bai district.

Thai authorities said the Malaysians were not the intended target of the attack, which is believed to have been carried out by suspected insurgents.

Thai explosive ordnance disposal and forensic officers are studying the debris at the scene of the incident.

Wisma Putra said it would continue to monitor developments through the consulate-general of Malaysia in Songkhla.

It also advised Malaysians residing in or travelling through southern Thailand to remain vigilant, prioritise their personal safety and comply with all local security instructions.