Bombing in rural Thailand kills 8 soldiers, wounds 4 others

BANGKOK, June 29 (UPI) -- An explosion on a rural road in Thailand's Yala province early Saturday killed eight soldiers, officials said.

The bomb was detonated at about 6:30 a.m. in Yala province's Krong Pinang district, as 10 soldiers passed by in a truck, the Bangkok Post reported.

Eight soldiers were killed by the blast, while two other soldiers were injured, officials said. Two civilians riding a motorcycle were also injured.

"It was a very powerful bomb that completely destroyed the truck," said army spokesman Col. Pramote Promin. "It's likely the biggest loss for our military so far this year."

Police Col. Metha Singhasena said the attack was carried out by suspected insurgents hiding in a nearby plantation.