Thai government hands RM80,000 compensation to Malaysian injured in Tak Bai bomb blast

NARATHIWAT, July 4 — The Thai government on Friday handed over compensation of 650,000 baht (about RM80,000) to one of two Malaysians injured in a bomb blast in Tak Bai district on June 29.

Narathiwat Governor Boonchuay Homyamyen said the Thai government deeply regrets the incident that injured the two Malaysians and assured that security measures will continue to be strengthened to protect both residents and tourists.

“We will not sit idly by. The Thai government is committed to ensuring the safety of all parties and will continue to work on restoring tourist confidence to visit Thailand,” he told reporters on Friday.

Boonchuay said the compensation was disbursed through a Thai government fund to assist victims of security-related incidents, including compensation for injuries and property damage.

Earlier, he presented the compensation check to Muhammad Yusri Udin in a ceremony at the Sungai Golok Customs Office here.

On June 29, Muhammad Yusri, 38, and Abdullah Syarapi Abd Rahman, 45, were injured after a homemade explosive device (IED) hidden in a roadside drain exploded near the Sapom junction in Tak Bai district at about 11.40am local time.

Thai authorities said the two Malaysians were not the intended targets of the attack, which is believed to have been carried out by a rebel group.

Following the incident, a 40-year-old suspect was detained, and Thai security forces launched a comprehensive investigation, including conducting explosive ordnance disposal operations and forensic examinations at the scene. — Bernama