Bombs explode in southern Thailand

Bombs explode in southern Thailand

THAILAND: Three bombs exploded on Thursday on train tracks in Thailand's troubled southern provinces, halting train service in the area, officials said.

The bombs exploded about the same time on tracks in Songkhla, Pattani and Yala provinces, causing no injuries.

"We've stopped all trains going from Had Yai to Sungai Kolok and Yala," said State Railways Authority governor Chitsanti Thanasabhon.

A fourth bomb, discovered on a track in Pattani, 740 kilometers south of Bangkok, was defused before it exploded.

The three bombs were activated by small trolleys checking the tracks early on Thursday.

"We think that whoever did this didn't intend to kill people but just wanted to stop the trains from running, because the bombs were placed on the tracks early, before the trains were scheduled to run there," said Chitsanti. --DPA ;DPA;APS; ANPAi..r.. ASEAN-RP-Singapore S'pore PM arrives in the Philippines JP/11/ASEAN

S'pore PM arrives in the Philippines

PHILIPPINES: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong arrived in the Philippines on Thursday on a two-day official visit aimed at boosting cooperation between the two countries.

Lee was accompanied by his wife, Ho Ching, who is the chief of Singapore's investment vehicle, Temasek Holdings, Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang.

Prior to Manila, Lee visited Vietnam. While in the Philippines, he will meet with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Senate President Franklin Drilon and House of Representatives Speaker Jose de Venecia.

Lee took office as Singapore's prime minister in August. He has already visited Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei as part of a Southeast Asian tour. --DPA