Blasts rock Thai cities

Bystanders come to the aid of a man injured in the bombings in Hua Hin. COORDINATED explosions targeting some of Thailand’s most popular resort cities and beach towns killed at least four people and wounded dozens more.

Police said 10 foreigners were injured in the violence, some of the worst in the country since the military seized power in a coup two years ago.

It was not clear who was behind the attacks, which followed a successful referendum held last weekend on a new constitution that critics say will bolster the military’s power for years to come.

The explosions curred south of Bangkok and several of the blasts – including one on Patong beach in the tourist town of Phuket and three in the seaside resort city of Hua Hin – appeared designed to strike the tourism industry, which provides vital income to the Government.

Thailand’s economy has sagged since the military seized power in a 2014 coup but tourism has remained one of the few bright spots.

No Australians were injured in the attacks but travellers to Thailand are being urged to exercise caution.

Police said four of the injured tourists were from Germany, three from the Netherlands, two from Italy and one from Austria.

Police ruled out links to international terrorism or a low-level insurgency in the country’s Islamic south that has ground on for more than a decade and killed more than 5000 people.

The most devastating explosions occurred in Hua Hin on a busy street filled with bars and restaurants. One Thai woman was killed and 20 people were wounded, half of them foreigners.

Police said the bombs were hidden inside potted plants and detonated by remote control.