Police rule out terrorism in Thailand bombings
Authorities have ruled out terrorism after a string of bomb attacks hit popular tourist towns across southern Thailand, leaving at least four dead.
Rescue workers attended to injured tourists as forensic teams picked through the rubble, with police scrambling to reassure visitors the situation was under control.
"This is not a terrorist attack. It is just local sabotage that is restricted to limited areas and provinces," national police deputy spokesman Piyapan Pingmuang said in Bangkok.
No one has claimed responsibility for the 11 bombings.
Britain and Australia reacted by advising their nationals to avoid public places.
Royal retreat
Worst-hit was the upscale resort of Hua Hin which was rocked by two sets of twin bombs in the past 24 hours - one pair on Thursday night and the second on Friday morning.
Two people were killed and more than 20 wounded, including nine foreigners.
A further two blasts struck at Patong Beach on the popular tourist island of Phuket while three more were reported further south - two in the southern town of Surat Thani, killing one, and one more blast in Trang, which also left one person dead.
"It was very shocking. There was a loud noise and police were running everywhere, it was terrible," said Michael Edwards, an Australian tourist staying in a guest house in Hua Hin close to where one of bombs detonated.
"I was just surprised that it happened here... now I'm thinking if it's worth staying," he said.