At least 14 people were injured in three bomb explosions in Thailand's southern Ala Province, the state-run Thai News Agency reported on Sunday.  

The first explosion occurred Saturday night in front of a hotelin Yala, in which nine people were injured. Five minutes later, the second bomb exploded at the parking lot of the hotel, wounding three people. This was quickly followed by the third blast in the parking lot of another hotel, which caused two injuries.

Police rushed to the scene immediately after the first explosion. The injured have been sent to Yala hospital for treatment. Suffering only minor injuries, most of the victims will be allowed to return home soon after the treatment, said the police.

They added that in the first two explosions, time bombs were hidden under motorcycles parked near and at the parking lot of the hotel. The third bomb, believed to be a TNT type, was contained inside a box placed under a car.

The explosions came after local authorities arrested two religious teachers in the South, and they were believed to be revenge attacks, said Thai Defense Minister Gen. Chetta Thanajaro.

Since the January 4 attack on an army camp in the deep South, violence occurring on a daily basis has claimed more than 300 lives in the region.

(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2004)