A series of bombs exploded in five provinces in Thailand targeting the crucial tourism industry of the nation and killed at least four people and injured many others, authorities said Friday.
Four bombs exploded in the popular resort town of Hua Hin over the last 24 hours and several blasts also hit the island of Phuket on Friday.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said the investigations are ongoing to find out who conducted the attack and what the reasons behind it were.
"The bombs are an attempt to create chaos and confusion. We should not make people panic more," Prayut told AFP.
"Why have the bombs occurred as our country is heading towards stability, a better economy and tourism -- and who did it? You have to find out," he added.
The police said on Friday that they have detained a few suspects but the officials completely ruled out the possibility of international terrorism. They also said that any links to the southern insurgency were not yet clear.
Although during periods of heightened political tension, small bombings are common in the country but such incidents were very few. The tourists are rarely targeted in Thailand.
Hua Hin's district chief, Sutthipong Klai-udom, said several of the bombs were detonated by mobile phone.
"It was very shocking. There was a loud noise and police were running everywhere, it was terrible," Michael Edwards, an Australian tourist told AFP. He was staying in a guest house close to the place where the second bomb exploded.
"I was just surprised that it happened here... now I'm thinking if it's worth staying," he added.
