BANGKOK, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Thailand's insurgency plagued southern provinces were rocked Sunday by a coordinated series of terror attacks that killed at least six people and injured about 50 others.
News reports from the Thai capital of Bangkok, said 14 bombs exploded in Yala province and five in Narathiwat Sunday night. The provinces of Songkhla and Pattani were each hit with two bomb attacks.
A movie theater, bars and gas stations were the primary targets. A hotel and bank escaped damage when bomb disposal units were able to neutralize timed explosive devices, reports said.
Arsonists also struck, torching electricity transformers and schools.
No group apparently claimed responsibility, but the perpetrators were believed to be Muslim separatists who timed the attacks to coincide with Lunar New Year observances.
"This shows the rebel groups are an enemy of the government and villagers," Army spokesman Akkara Thiproj was quoted by The Bangkok Post on Monday. "We must jointly form a shield against their plotting."
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and top government and security officials were holding an emergency meeting Monday over the attacks, but additional details were not immediately available.
