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
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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